My long awaited portrait exhibition finally took place in June 2023. I'd been working on the Wise Women: 50 Over 50 project for several years, completing my 50th photoshoot a couple pf weeks before the opening day. The exhibition was held at The Coach House Gallery, Astley Hall.
The first photoshoot was in 2017. I didn't realise at the time that it was going to be the beginning of a wonderful portrait journey to photograph 50 women over the age of 50. The pandemic put a hold on the project for a while but it was back in full swing soon afterwards.
Michelle
My best friend Michelle was the first woman I photographed. The photo was shot in the doorway of Astley Hall which by coincidence was the place of the exhibition.
Here's what Michelle said:
"This image of me taken by Alison is now proudly hanging in my home. It shows me in my true light: My silver hair, the lines around my eyes but most importantly it shows the real me. I have always detested having my photograph taken, shaped by my history, I never saw myself as beautiful. This image has changed the way I see myself and it has changed how I show up in life. When I look at the photo I see a woman who has lived a good life, who needed a mirror held up to herself to see what others see. Never underestimate the power of an image."
![](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/819894893/50-over-50-bb60c88a-300.jpg)
Why Wise Women? Because older women have so much knowledge and wisdom to offer and it often goes unrecognised. The exhibition gives a voice to these incredible women who each offer us a snippet of their wisdom which you can read about in the book that accompanies the gallery.