This past January, something truly special happened at Barrington’s White House. Surrounded by nearly 90 guests, we came together to celebrate the strength, wisdom, and beauty of 40 incredible women who took part in my 40 Over 40 Experience.

When I first launched this project, my goal was simple: to help women over 40 feel seen, valued, and celebrated. So many of us spend years taking care of others—our families, our businesses, our communities—often putting ourselves last. I wanted to create something that reminded women of their own beauty, confidence, and power at this stage in life.

A Day to Remember

Walking into Barrington’s White House and seeing these portraits — printed on canvas, displayed around the room, each one radiating strength—was a moment I’ll never forget. These weren’t just pictures. They were stories. Stories of resilience, of transformation, of women who had faced challenges, built businesses, raised families, and found their own paths.

For me, the most rewarding part was seeing all of the women getting to know each other. I loved seeing everybody asking about each other’s stories and celebrating each other. It made me want to host more events where we can come together and make new friends!

Real Women Describe their Experience

I am so thankful that my husband, Kamran, took some time to walk around and talk to the women who participated. He asked them if they would mind sharing their thoughts and feelings on the experience and what it meant to them. I loved hearing what they were nervous about as well as how they felt afterwards!

Mary Jo said: “It made me feel special and like this wasn’t the end. It was the beginning of like a new really big chapter….I feel like I’ve held myself a little higher every day since I’ve gotten those photos back.“

Adriana said, ” I was nervous, I was terrified I was concerned that I was going to look at myself and that I would actually in a negative way and see pain and grief and the aging that it’s brought me. And so going through this experience I realized it was therapy for me. It was art therapy… This was a beautiful gift that was given to me because I can look at myself in a different way and it brought me healing.”

I love that Ericka mentioned wondering if this was a scam at first! Let’s be honest, we are all asking ourselves that lately. Ericka said, “So I found the ad on Facebook that Ann did and I had to make sure it wasn’t a scam. Once I was comfortable that it wasn’t we talked and I was still on the fence … And I thought well these things may never happen, here’s where I am right now. So I just decided to do it and it was really a good experience… It was really it was wonderful.”

Linda is a professional violinist and conductor, and scheduled a shoot after seeing the images we created for a couple of her friends. She said, “Every time that I look at one of the photos… it’s an instant confidence booster. We always have the great memory and it just gives us so much pleasure and joy. Bravo. Beautiful job.”

Lou had always wanted to be a model when she was younger, but when she immigrated here she started her own business and never really had a chance. She said, “It boosted my self-esteem… she made me so comfortable. I was worried about posing and all that. I never had that makeup and being pampered, even when we got married. So with the pampering and all the different shots, it was one of the best times of my life and it did have a major impact.”

Sasha describes how after going through a difficult period in her life, her photos remind her of her own strength, “This is a big deal.

We’re older, and sometimes you feel like you’re less than in society a little bit.

You sort of lose your way in life.

And when I just had it back, I felt joyful, and peaceful, and happy. And after all the stuff that I had been through, I have this photo that says, you’re okay, you got this.

So I have a big photo that I took from the shoot that I put on my wall to remind me as I walk by, like, I got this, it’s good.”

Gratitude & Looking Ahead

To every woman who participated in this experience—thank you. Thank you for trusting me with your story, for stepping in front of my camera, and for allowing yourself to be seen in a new way. To everyone who attended, supported, and cheered these women on—your presence meant the world.

This event was just the beginning. I am beyond excited to continue this journey and welcome the next group of incredible women into the 40 Over 40 Experience. If you’ve ever felt like it wasn’t your time, that you weren’t photogenic, or that you had to wait for the “perfect moment”—I want you to know that your time is now. You are worthy of being seen, celebrated, and captured exactly as you are.

Are you ready to step into the spotlight? Let’s make magic together.