The 40 Over 40 Magazine & Exhibition Series is a community-based portrait and storytelling initiative that celebrates the lives, experiences, and contributions of women in their 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond.

Each participant is professionally photographed and interviewed, contributing to a growing archive of stories that highlight leadership, resilience, creativity, service, entrepreneurship, and personal transformation. Selected portraits and stories are featured in a printed magazine and public exhibition, creating greater visibility for women whose voices and experiences enrich our communities.

This project combines portraiture, storytelling, and community engagement to honor the achievements and lived experiences of women across South Florida.

The series welcomes women 40 and beyond from different backgrounds, professions, cultures, abilities and life experiences.

Participants have included artists, educators, attorneys, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, community leaders, mothers, caregivers, retirees and women navigating significant transitions in their lives.

No modeling experience or public profile is required. The project is interested in the individual story each woman brings to the collective.

Not at all.

The project celebrates women from all walks of life. Some participants are business owners, artists, educators, healthcare professionals, and community advocates, while others are mothers, caregivers, retirees, or women navigating a new chapter in life.

Every woman's story has value.

Absolutely not.

The 40 Over 40 Magazine & Exhibition Series celebrates women exactly as they are. Participants come from diverse backgrounds and represent many different experiences, cultures, professions, and personal journeys.

The goal is not to fit a particular standard of beauty, but to honor the wisdom, strength, individuality, and stories that make each woman unique.

The 40 Over 40 Magazine & Exhibition Series brings together portraiture, personal interviews, publication and public exhibition.

Each participant contributes both a portrait and her story to a larger body of work documenting the experiences of women over 40. Together, these portraits and stories create connections between individual experiences and the broader community.

The experience includes your portrait session, interview, magazine feature, exhibition participation and the opportunity to select artwork from your session. Full details are outlined above.

No. The 40 Over 40 Series is centered on authenticity and celebrating women as they are.

Professional hair and makeup are not included in the experience. If you would like to have your hair or makeup professionally done before your portrait session, you are welcome to do so, but it is completely optional.

The goal is not transformation. It is to create a portrait that feels authentic to you and reflects your individuality and natural beauty.

You are not alone. Most participants tell us they felt nervous before their session.

No experience is necessary. You will receive guidance throughout the entire process, including posing, expression coaching, and support designed to help you feel comfortable and confident.

Many women join the project believing they are "not photogenic" and leave with portraits they are proud to share with family, friends, and future generations.

Yes. Each selected image is professionally edited to present you at your best while maintaining a natural and authentic appearance.

The goal is to create timeless portraits that reflect who you are while preserving the character and individuality that make you unique.

Following your portrait session, you will attend a portrait reveal appointment where you will view your images and select your favorites.

Your portrait and story will then become part of the magazine and exhibition project, helping inspire and connect with others in the community.

Participants are invited to share as much or as little of their story as they feel comfortable sharing.

Stories are featured in the 40 Over 40 Magazine, exhibition materials, social media, press coverage, and related project publications. Participants will have the opportunity to review their interview content before publication.

Each year's portraits and interviews become part of a growing archive documenting the experiences of women 40 and beyond.

The work is shared through the annual magazine, public exhibition and related programming, creating a record of individual and collective experiences across generations.

Phase Two expands the project beyond portraiture, interviews and publication into a new body of mixed media artwork inspired by selected women and stories from the 40 Over 40 series. Penny Fraser will reinterpret selected portraits through photography, digital artistry, painting and other mixed media processes, continuing the project’s exploration of identity, experience, aging, resilience and legacy. The new work will develop through 2027 and will be shared through future public exhibition and community programming.

Women over 40 have rich histories, accomplishments and lived experiences that are not always represented in contemporary portraiture and visual culture.

The 40 Over 40 Magazine & Exhibition Series creates a growing visual and written archive of women's stories across generations. Through portraiture and first-person storytelling, the project preserves individual experiences while exploring shared themes of identity, aging, resilience, creativity, change and legacy.

The project extends beyond the portrait studio through public exhibitions, community gatherings, conversations and educational programming.

These experiences bring together participants, families, artists and members of the public to encounter women's stories, exchange perspectives and connect across generations.

Portions of the project are presented through free public programming, helping make the work accessible beyond those who participate in the portrait experience.

The 5th Anniversary 40 Over 40 Magazine & Art Exhibition will be presented October 25, 2026 at the Fort Lauderdale Woman’s Club as a public community event, creating an opportunity for participants, families and members of the broader community to experience the portraits and stories together. Related community programming throughout the year creates additional opportunities for participation, conversation and connection.

Yes.

We welcome nominations of women whose stories, accomplishments, resilience, creativity, or service deserve recognition and celebration. Self nominations are also encouraged.

Participation in the series includes a portrait session, interview, magazine feature, exhibition inclusion, and related project activities.

A session reservation retainer applies to reserve your place in the project and the date and time of your photoshoot. Fine art portraits, albums, wall art, and additional images are available separately.

Complete information about participation and portrait collections is provided during your consultation.

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 edition of the 40 Over 40 Magazine & Exhibition Series.

Begin by scheduling a complimentary consultation. We will discuss your story, answer your questions, and determine whether the project is the right fit for you.

If selected, you will reserve your portrait session and become part of a growing community of women whose stories are helping inspire others.

Yes.

Community members, businesses, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and partner organizations can support the project in a variety of ways, helping expand opportunities for storytelling, exhibition programming, and community engagement.