![\"Behind](\"https:\/\/maundymitchell.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/BTS_Christy_U-540x720.jpg\")
When we first talked about it, she felt undecided. “As a photographer, I have always felt much more comfortable behind a camera – not in front of one. I\u2019ve even noticed that my cameras give me a sense of confidence when I\u2019m using them and working with clients (the opposite being true in front of one). But, after seeing Maundy\u2019s beautiful work and talking to her more about her vision for the project, I decided to join her in celebrating age. Getting older doesn\u2019t mean we can\u2019t still get dressed up and feel fabulous!\u00a0 In my mother\u2019s era, it was common for women to have glamorous portraits taken, but it isn\u2019t as common anymore. I decided to embrace it, and I had a lot of fun! I even channeled my ‘inner Stevie Nicks’ for part of the session!”<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"Christy](\"https:\/\/maundymitchell.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Plymouth-NH-Portrait-Photographer-Maundy-Mitchell-tryptich-Christy-with-camera_0021-504x720.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nChristy said, “I think that women over 50 have experienced life and have a treasure trove of stories to tell. In my recent wanderings through Pinterest, I came across a quote that rang true for me (paraphrased here). ‘Age is irrelevant. Ask me how many trips I\u2019ve taken, how many sunsets I\u2019ve seen, laughs I\u2019ve shared, bedtime stories I\u2019ve read to my children, and happy wedding anniversaries I\u2019ve celebrated with my husband. That\u2019s how old I am.’ I think there\u2019s a lot of pressure from society to look a certain way, and some women succumb to that pressure to an extreme. It\u2019s really important to enjoy life, which includes having an ice cream cone once in a while. Treat yourself!” <\/p>\n\n\n
![\"triptych](\"https:\/\/maundymitchell.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Plymouth-NH-Portrait-Photographer-Maundy-Mitchell-tryptich-Christy-dancing_0020-1024x485.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhen she was in her early 50\u2019s, she was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer. Fortunately, it was treatable and only required surgery and medication, but she felt self-conscious about the resulting scar on her neck at first. Now, she says, “I have come to embrace it as a ‘warrior’ scar and don’t even notice it anymore. I think this experience made me feel grateful for my life, but also mortal. When I turned 60, I remember thinking that the number sounded ‘old’ to me, but I still felt like the same person inside. That\u2019s really what it comes down to – how you feel. Are these ‘wrinkles’ or laugh lines? I choose \u201claugh lines!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"Christy,](\"https:\/\/maundymitchell.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Plymouth-NH-Portrait-Photographer-Maundy-Mitchell-Christy-wearing-velvet-burnout-dress_0023-504x720.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nChristy’s mother was her only role model growing up. “She was a single mom during much of my childhood and I credit her for my love of European culture, architecture and history. She was born in a castle in the Bavarian Alps, and loved to tell me that story! Her father was the groundskeeper, so they lived in the Gardener\u2019s Cottage on the property. She met my father during the Allied Occupation of Germany after WWII when he was stationed there, and moved to the U.S. with him. After they divorced in 1960, she took me and my siblings back to Germany to live with her family. I was about two years old when we arrived and spent the next four years there. I\u2019m sure that my love of Europe was imprinted on me during that time. I\u2019ve traveled back to Europe many times over the years (even to the castle where my mother was born), and am always drawn to the ancient structures in particular. I\u2019m sure that my interest in historic photographic processes is also linked to these roots.”<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"Christy,](\"https:\/\/maundymitchell.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Plymouth-NH-Portrait-Photographer-Maundy-Mitchell-Christy-wearing-pink-tulle-dress_0024-504x720.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhen asked what advice she might have for women who are younger than her, Christy said, “Your mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive. Do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style (I borrowed some of Maya Angelou’s wisdom here). Also, remember to be kind to yourself as you age.” <\/p>\n\n\n
![\"Portrait](\"https:\/\/maundymitchell.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Plymouth-NH-Portrait-Photographer-Maundy-Mitchell-Christy-wearing-purple-dress_0026-504x720.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nChristy said that her two sons are her best contribution to the future of the world. “I\u2019d like to think that I played some small part in their growing up to be such kind, loving young men. We need a lot more like them in this crazy country\/world, but at least I\u2019ve launched two good ones – it\u2019s a start. <\/p>\n\n\n
![\"Christy,](\"https:\/\/maundymitchell.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Plymouth-NH-Portrait-Photographer-Maundy-Mitchell-Christy-wearing-purple-dress_0025-504x720.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nShe has also been volunteering her skills as an event photographer and media relations professional to raise money for the Community Children\u2019s Fund in Exeter for the past 22 years. It\u2019s a cause true to her heart because it helps to improve the lives of children growing up in challenging situations, as she did. <\/p>\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/maundymitchell.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Plymouth-NH-Portrait-Photographer-Maundy-Mitchell-Christy-wearing-leather-jacket_0027-1024x480.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n“The third way that I\u2019m making a difference in the world,” she said, “is by fostering orphaned baby elephants in Kenya. My husband and I traveled there in 2017 and visited two of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust\u2019s elephant reintegration units. It was a life-changing experience and I have been sponsoring several baby elephants ever since. It makes me feel like I\u2019m making a tangible difference by giving these amazing (and critically endangered) animals a chance to return to the wild.”<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"Christy](\"https:\/\/maundymitchell.com\/photography\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Plymouth-NH-Portrait-Photographer-Maundy-Mitchell-Christy-on-fainting-couch_0022-720x504.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n“[This] experience exceeded all of my expectations! Maundy is wonderful to work with and really cared about making my session special. I love the portraits she created of me and am so glad I decided to celebrate my age, just “on the edge of 64.”<\/p>\nChristy<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Join Us!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Book your portrait experience in 2023. If you are a woman over the age of fifty, “the Over 50 Revolution” is for you. It\u2019s for everyone who loves you and for other women of all ages, to show them that they are worthy, too. I hope you\u2019ll join me in this luxurious and empowering experience. You can find out more HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Christy decided to participate in Extraordinary: the Over 50 Revolution because she said, “I loved the concept of women over 50 being given a chance to be seen at their very best.” When we first talked about it, she felt undecided. “As a photographer, I have always felt much more comfortable behind a camera –<\/p>\n