Photographer, Nikita Razo, in one of her 40 Over 40 portrait sessions
Nikita Razo, serial entrepreneur and owner of Junebug Photography, takes a stand for women empowerment in a recent portrait series, the “40 Over 40 Project.” Nikita moved to Manhattan two years ago, and being a seasoned photographer, quickly opened her portrait studio downtown soon after arriving.
The idea for this project occurred to Nikita when she was working on a photo shoot for the self-portrait team shots for their website. “I was photographing my hair and makeup artist and as we were reviewing the shots, I said to her, ‘You are gorgeous. You know that right,’” says Nikita. After the photo shoot, Nikita had begun to think about how she was turning 40 in just a brief time, and self-reflected on her experiences as a teenager. “When I was younger, I viewed people in their 30s, 40s and beyond as old. But I thought, I don’t feel old.” After recent life changes and her children becoming more independent, she says she has been able to take a step back and truly discover herself.
Once the photoshoot was over, Nikita met with her team and began to discuss the planning and research of the 40 Over 40 Project. They found that similar projects around the country have had a lot of success in their communities.
When they launched the project, they noticed significant resonance with their target audience. Impressed with the results, Nikita says, “I am contemplating a second series next year, opened to all people.”
The 40 Over 40 Project was able to bring the women in the Manhattan community together. Also, it was able to display women in multiple professions, such as “doctors, artists, and women in their 60s practicing karate.” “The amount of diversity has been extraordinary. Everyone’s lives are so unique and this [portrait series] showcases everyone’s individual personalities,” Nikita says.
During the sessions, they worked to create an experience in which portrait subjects felt loved and seen throughout the entire process. “After each session, we sent them questions to help formulate their story, and during their shoot, we talk and learn about who they are and what they love. Women are notoriously afraid of aging, and we were able to remind these women that they are beautiful.”
Nikita says her portrait subjects demonstrated a diversity of skills and interests.
Although Junebug Photography primarily focuses on maternity and family photography, the overall brand is about women empowerment. “Many of the women in the 40 Over 40 Project have played the mother role, and the goal is to remind each other and ourselves that just because we aren’t 20 doesn’t mean you can’t live life to the fullest,” says Nikita.
This project was not only a success from a business standpoint, but also for all those involved. “Women will sit in the photo review session and cry because they are seeing and remembering how beautiful they are. The feeling of seeing someone being overwhelmed with joy has been one of the best experiences out of all this.” Although they only required a set fee for women to participate, they had most of the woman purchase an additional photo. “This tells me that these women needed this shoot, that they needed to see themselves in this way, reminding them that they are loved.”
Junebug Photography will be hosting a gala this fall to showcase the 40 over 40 project at their new location in their Candlewood studio, 3236 Kimball Avenue. Visit the project link here to learn more.
