When I was in my 20s, I became aware of some new modeling agencies that had opened in Manhattan. They were modeling agencies exclusively for Petties with a height requirement between 5’0″ and 5’4″. At 5’4″ I qualified. So, one afternoon, I went to an open casting call at one of the agencies. The line of young women numbered n the hundreds. It was out the door, snaking around the corridor and back into the stairwell. Apparently, every one of us had been told we were model material. After a grueling, interminable wait of several hours, I was seen. Unlike the wait, the selection process was swift –and impersonal–and I was chosen. At the same time, I worked as a funeral director and, after hours, as a portrait model, so I was never fully committed to the modeling agency or had the time for the “go-sees”. Still, the experience opened other doors for me in that world for a time.

I was recently reflecting on those days and revisiting the images of my past—those glossy photos, and candid moments frozen in time– and thinking that there’s a unique magic in the chapters of life. My days as a print and portrait model were not just about the pictures; they were about the stories behind them. And while today, that long-ago modeling career feels like a vivid dream, they were filled with lessons that continue to shape me.

In those days, the camera became my confidant. Each photo shoot was a new adventure. Hus of “holding the pose” as an artist painted my image on canvas offered a new opportunity to embody a vision. Yes, beyond the optimum lighting and the studied poses, there were moments of challenge and growth — long hours, striving for just the right angle, and the constant push to prove my worth in a competitive world. Did I have what it took? Years later, I see how those experiences shaped me into someone who knows the value of persistence and self-belief.

Life Beyond the Frame

The beauty of print and portrait modeling lies in its ability to tell a story without words. Each shot captured a piece of me—not just the outward beauty, but the spirit, emotion, and resilience that lived behind my eyes. Today, my story continues, though the frames look different. My focus has shifted from external portrayals to internal reflections, from creating images to living moments.

I long ago stepping away from the world of fashion and beauty, I’ve discovered the profound joy of embracing who I am now. The woman in those old photographs may have been lit by a professional team, but the woman I am today glows with the light of experience and authenticity.

The Power of Change

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that every phase of life has its own unique beauty. Modeling was one chapter, but it was never the whole story. The same person who once stood in front of a lens now builds her legacy in other ways—through nurturing relationships, sharing wisdom, and inspiring others to see their own inner beauty.

To the woman I was then: thank you for your courage to chase a dream. To the woman I am now: thank you for your strength to evolve.

Beauty in Every Season

For any woman reflecting on the highlights of her youth, remember this: You were not defined by the camera that captured you but by the depth of the person you’ve become. Beauty, after all, isn’t about being picture-perfect; it’s about being real. And if there’s one thing life has taught me, it’s that we grow more radiant with each passing year.

So, let’s celebrate every photograph, every memory, every wrinkle. They’re all part of the masterpiece that is you. Ladies, our best days are not behind us. They’re woven into the fabric of today and tomorrow.