ARSENAL: Photographer Shows That Beauty Is Ageless In These Stunning Nudes

Friday, February 12, 2016

Photographer Shows That Beauty Is Ageless In These Stunning Nudes

"I wanted to show women -- despite what society tells them -- that getting older only makes them stronger and more beautiful and that they should own that."

Photo by Demetrius Fordham

In his "Ageless Beauty" series, former fashion photographer busts the myth that equates youth with beauty.

Warning: Some readers might consider a few of these images not safe for work.

Photographer Demetrius Fordham has just released a portrait series called “Ageless Beauty,” which celebrates the loveliness of women aged 45 and above. Fordham told The Huffington Post that he wanted his images to challenge the belief that “youth is synonymous with beauty.” He said, "I wanted to show women -- despite what society tells them -- that getting older only makes them stronger and more beautiful and that they should own that."
Fordham, who began his photography career 10 years ago in the fashion industry, did not retouch any of the "Ageless Beauty" photos. He told Huff/Post that the models came from a casting call and most have a creative background in the arts. "Beauty really does come from the inside," said the 35-year-old photographer. "If a woman feels confident and empowered on the inside, it radiates."

The models, too, loved the project. Victoria, 50, said that to her, "Beauty is seeing the organic natural process of the effects of time and experiences, whether it be the weathering of an inanimate object, or the aging of a living being. The wearing, the scars, the discoloration of all things, represent beauty to me." Victoria added, "I used to see things as beautiful when I was a child, and I am re-seeing them again that way. Growing up, I became indoctrinated by societal values on what beauty should be. Now at 50, I am looking to see the truth in beauty again, like a child, because society is so warped and detached on what true beauty is."

Victoria, age 50: "Beauty, to me, is seeing the organic natural process of the effects of time and experiences, whether it be the weathering of an inanimate object, or the aging of a living being."

Masha, age 48, is the mother of four. She said, "I’m turning 49 in April, but age is just a number -- health, energy and joy of life are truer indicators of age. Beauty is an illusion, of the ephemeral harmonious balance of elements, the yin and yang and the energy of love, as perceived through our six elements."