Episode Details

Donna Edman is the author of "The Women of Wisdom: Honoring the Grace, Strength, and Beauty”, a book showing the natural, unfiltered beauty of women over 50. Donna is on a mission to show women over 50 that they are beautiful to break down the limited view of beauty society currently holds. 

AI, Photoshop, and the Perception of Beauty

The conversation begins by delving into the influence of AI and Photoshop on society's perception of beauty. Diane references a recent internet sensation involving Kim Kardashian, where an unedited photo was released and it caused quite the stir. In a world that perpetually demands women to maintain an idealized sense of perfection, it's crucial to challenge conventional beauty norms.

What Inspired the Book on Natural Beauty

Donna shares the inspiration behind her book that celebrates the natural beauty of women over 50. Her goal was to pay homage to these women and capture the genuine joy that accompanies embracing one's authentic self. Diane admits feeling increasingly drawn into the allure of perfection often portrayed in edited photographs, underscoring the significance of authenticity.

Overcoming Perfectionism

Donna reveals that her journey to create this project was long overdue. She speaks about internalizing the ideals of perfectionism from a young age, which subsequently inhibited her willingness to take risks such as starting the book. Eventually, she mustered the courage to start small, reaching out to just two women for assistance with the project. Despite her initial fears the project grew and to Donna’s surprise when she asked participants for help or advice they were actually honored to be asked, rather than judging her for not knowing.

Photography Tips for Natural Beauty

Donna generously shares valuable photography insights, explaining her use of lighting techniques to enhance the subjects she photographs. She recommends positioning a light source directly in front of the subject for a flattering effect. Mastery of posing, lighting, and, most importantly, cultivating a sense of self-assuredness plays a pivotal role in capturing natural beauty in photographs.

Capturing Unposed Moments

Donna likes to capture unposed, spontaneous moments. She notes that these candid moments, where people are relaxed, engaged in conversation, or laughing, often result in the most authentic and captivating photographs.

The Process of the Natural Beauty Project 

Donna's motivation for embarking on this project stems from her belief that both young, attractive women and older, famous women have voices that are heard, but everyone else often goes unheard. She encouraged women to participate in her project with three conditions: candidly answer questions, embrace unedited photographs, and be over the age of 50. One of the thought-provoking questions she posed was, "What advice would you offer your 20-year-old self?" The responses were enlightening, emphasizing the importance of leaving a legacy grounded in values rather than appearances.

Embracing Your Style

Donna extends an invitation to listeners to discard the unrealistic images propagated by magazines and instead embrace their unique style. She urges women to create their own fashion inspirations. Diane expresses her gratitude to individuals like Donna for capturing the essence of regular, older women.

The Legacy Project

Donna is currently in the process of curating her new book, "The Legacy Project," which will encompass both men and women, along with their cherished possessions and old photographs. In her words, "When we pass away, what remains are our possessions and old pictures." Donna intends to ascribe meaning to these remnants, weaving stories that reflect the essence of those who have left their mark on the world.

Donna’s links and details 

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