Sumico Photography’s 50 over 50 project Exhibition

Photographic exhibition showcases the beauty of older women

A photographic exhibition of 50 over 50 project by Sumico Photography demonstrated that beauty doesn’t diminish with age. The 50 over 50 Project Exhibition held at Able Gallery, 27 Coral Street Loganlea in October 2019.

Logan resident professional photographer, I – Sumiko Eyears started her photography business after turning 50 and wanted to create a project to shine the light on the character, wisdom and spirit of older women.

I think; “Women as they age can become more critical of how they look” “We focus on the parts of our body that have changed, that we don’t like, rather than on the beauty that radiates from within.”

The aim of the project entitled 50 over 50 was to photograph 50 women over the age of 50 culminating in an exhibition. I was pleasantly surprised by the flood of applications I received.

I had women aged from early 50’s to well into their 80’s want to take part.

Once the project began I realised the women’s transformations were more than skin deep. Starting with an interview, followed by professional makeup and hair styling, then I led each woman through a photo shoot with various wardrobe changes.

“Throughout the session, women started opening up and I was amazed by their stories.”

One woman shared of her life without children and how that has shaped her. Another had undergone heart surgery and asked Sumiko to photograph her scars. A 63 year woman and her 83 year old mother flew from NSW to take part while one holiday maker from NZ decided to join the project to celebrate her 50th birthday.

The exhibition included women who have overcome illness and adversity, others who run successful businesses and some who took it on as a challenge.

“One participant was lacking in confidence heading into the shoot. Afterwards she said she felt completely empowered and that for the first time in her life, she was proud of herself and her achievements.”

This project was supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) a partnership between the Queensland Government and Logan City Council to support arts and culture in regional Queensland.

This project was also supported by the Regional Arts Services Network (RASN) an initiative of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

I had an interview by ABC Radio, the project was featured in Y Mag, Logan City Magazine, Logan Albert River Newspaper, Courier Mail online. At the Gallery Opening, $1,365 funds raised for National Breast Cancer.

I am so grateful all the support that I received from my family, friends, participants, their families, friends and supporters.

I especially thankful to Arcadia who is my editor and supported me from starting this project. Chelsi from Logan City council helped me to submit the application forms for RADF. BEMAC and Grace who helped me to submit the RASN fund. Jo Devin who helped me to put the exhibition together. Logan Arts Association for the venue especially to the coordinator, Kristy. The wonderful guest speakers on the opening day – Shannon Fentiman MP, Michael from Logan Art Gallery, Di from Logan Arts Association, my clients and speakers, Rhonda, Kerry, Patricia and Johnene. My volunteers on the day, Arcadia, Moana, Tracey, Tina, Keiko, Yumiko, Yumi, Kasumi and Shaun.

Thank you to my wonderful husband who helped me setting up the exhibition and always support what I do, and my son Leon.

This project was my journey. I started planning this project in January 2018, launched it July 2018, completed the first exhibition October 2019.

My journey continues. I started Chapter 2. I will continue Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5…. and keep sharing beautiful women’s portrait and their stories.

I am so grateful to you all.

To know about my 50 over 50 project, please check my 50 over 50 project page.

About the author

Sumi

Sumiko Eyears is the principal portrait photographer of Sumico Photography based in between Brisbane and Gold Coast. (https://www.sumicophotography.com.au/) Sumiko is also a graphic artist, web designer and SEO strategist of Sumico Net (https://www.sumico.net).