Faces of Silver - Ebook

from Faces of Silver - by Ben Winkler

by Ben Winkler

Faces of Silver - The Book

Beauty is:

- perception

- radiance

- yummy

- contagious

- reason to celebrate

- to be acknowledged

- subjective

- in each and every one of us!

- ATTITUDE!

...evolved women turning on their silver lining!

Foreword:

When Ben approached me to write this foreword I was delighted and honored. This is a project it’s been my genuine pleasure to witness unfolding from the very beginning, both as a fan of his body of work and latterly, as one of his photographic subjects. In addition to being a silver haired woman, I am a psychologist at Exeter University in the UK, with a research interest in stereotyping and gendered ageism. In a nutshell, the question that intrigues me is why, as a woman, is it so frowned upon to age? Why are the dominant stereotypes about older women so often negative? Talking with Ben it became apparent that we possessed a very similar outlook on the issue, albeit we approach it from different angles. Ageing is such a loaded term, and it’s one Ben hates with a passion. We are after all ageing right from the moment we are born. Ageing is simply a part of life. There’s a particular stigma associated with women ageing, though, and allied to that, going gray.

We read that men can look forward to being “disgustingly hot, sexy silver foxes” as they age, but women, well, not so much. Instead, we are drip-fed messages in the press and popular media about why women “dare not go gray unless they are very brave”, that women are “obliged to defy nature” and “woe betide she who fails to maintain her crowning glory”. If we swallow what the media feed us, it’s all doom and gloom. As journalist Ann Perkins wryly observes: “Of all the choices women… make about their outward appearance, going grey has assumed the role of signalling to the outside world that you don’t care that you’re getting old; you are ready to be invisible, to advertise your shrivelled ovaries, to be in some way ready for insignificance. Going grey…has become the equivalent of a public surrender to age and inconsequence. It’s like the warning light on the car dashboard commanding you to check your tyre pressure immediately. Grey hair means the inexorable decline has begun, the countdown to incontinence pads and lalaland is under way.”

What a pile of crap! Ben and I are both keen to fight this stereotype. But whilst my battles are mainly fought via the research I publish in the dry and dusty psychology journals that few people read, Ben had in mind a rather more accessible approach with the potential to reach a wider audience. In Ben’s case, his camera was his weapon, and an army of silver-haired women were his willing accomplices in combat. Whilst the words here are my own, I hope they resonate with the many women who took part. I truly hope, too, that I’ve captured the essence of what this project means to Ben.

Back in 2016, Ben conceived a big (some might say madcap) idea: to travel the world photographing silver-haired women, and to collate their images in a book: Faces of Silver. In doing so, he sought to make a statement: “To portray that gray is a natural progression of female beauty, a testimony to mature femininity, full of grace and poise. A conscious transition of beauty, the grandest phase of your life.” Prior to my knowing this was his plan, I had posted a positive if slightly jokey comment in response to one of his gorgeous US studio shots on Facebook of a silver haired woman. I said something along the lines of “Great photo, Ben. If you ever come to the UK I’d be happy to round up a few silver haired women for you to photograph!” Be careful what you wish for. Fast forward a few months and that is exactly what I was doing, rounding up the UK silver women for Ben to photograph in London as part of the European leg of his tour. And that is how I got involved.

For the Faces of Silver project, Ben’s remit was simple and inclusive (if a tad ambitious): to invite women worldwide at any stage in their silver transition to take part in a photoshoot. He covered the States, Europe, and Australia. There was no casting call, no selection process, no sense in which any of us was deemed more

Beauty - the very idea of individuality! Intimate, unique and at the opposite end of the spectrum of generalization! ~ BW

Deba

Faces of Silver, the project, started out fairly local up and down the U.S. east coast! Before I knew it I found myself in London, U.K. photographing Deba. Unstaged and ad hoc I was shown that she was about radiance and uncomplicated joy of life in the big city!

radiate

This woman is a powerhouse trailblazing her path of individuality. Undoubtedly one of the leading faces of gorgeous silver hair she has the most distinct mane that flows in the wind like timeless strands of glitter. Yazemeenah, international model and equally amazing photographer leads life on her own terms - organic, healthy and authentic are but a few terms that come to mind watching her. Organic, especially to me, is the way she ‘sees’ beauty in all its various forms. She works her designs and style in a one-of-a-kind form of presentation, fluid and natural, oftentimes in desert or ocean settings as a backdrop. My personal take from watching her short video clip creations in particular is her one of a kind ability to take the viewer into another world, to see beauty, nature and the feminine in an unknown, dream state like trail emphasizing the raw goddess like qualities in a unique, no BS way of existence... She has this special gift to make the simple appear mystical through her presentations of photography & fine art!

shine

Yazemeenah

Theonita

I came to photograph Theonita in Los Angeles in February this year and found her to be tremendously inspiring. What precedes her persona is her smile that melts whatever gets in her way! She is a visual artist creating the most stunning paintings she has for sale. At our shoot she turned into this gentle being morphing into her surroundings seemingly comfortable whatever twisting maneuvers I got her into. She became one of my early cheerleaders for our ‘Faces of Silver’ coffee table book project. Theonita spends her life helping others, sweetening their day with her distinct warmth & connecting personality!

Jen organized our New York shoot. Lots of effort and coordination went into her putting this fun shoot together. We found an old train depot and with the help of the numerous spouses we made it an interesting and memorable shoot at and odd and interesting location!

One hot Miami morning I met up with Hillary in the Wynwood arts district, who even though we sought shelter under big ceiling fans to keep cool, was a good sport about the sweltering makeup fighting heat and made it a very pleasant experience of hair blowing in the fans. So as sometimes things might seem not optimal some amazing results can result if we’re just open.

Hillary

let that silver glitter sparkle!

Through April’s shoot we discover that demeanor and a desire for expression can result in ‘silver mystique’!

April

glamour

Teruko

They have molded us into thinking in rules, big campaigns bombarding us with what it now ought to be, what we ‘should’ be. So, me being the eternal rebel and not giving a flying hoot, I challenge you to see beauty, as an exercise just for a day, in as many things you can realize, from the sun, light, someone’s smile, tone, a cup, a child’s drawing and so on, your day is full of it, you’ll be amazed! ~BW

New York New York

London San Diego

attitude

J.M.

Louise

Trust, emotion and truth all factor into beauty, how could this possibly define each and everyone of us if we were to blindly follow like sheep? Be yourself and let that be truth, your truth, your beauty!

Consciously!

‘Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art. ‘ ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Michi

49 argent

Sabrinia

The confidence to emit to the world who we really are without judgement. Isn’t this what we all strive for? There are so many desti- nations on our journey that having arrived can’t possible be in the cards. Who would want that anyway. Isn’t it our purpose to continue to not only learn but to teach, better yet, inspire? So many questions to be answered as we wake up ready to start yet another day arriving. I have always been a person to try to make a difference in at least one persons day whether I knew it or not, but it’s not until fairly recently that I have really figured out who I am and what exactly I bring to this extraordinary “table” of life. I have no age nor a filter for age. I treat young and old alike which I know can be shocking to some that I encounter. I am definitely not one to wear my heart on my sleeve but I will share with you this, I am so so happy, fun, loud, energetic, genuine, kinda smart, aware, passionate, loving, relaxed, and funny, actually I am hilarious!!! This isn’t a brag but a self realization that has taken my life time to figure out. I realize that I am not for everyone but I can honestly say that I love me.

in realizing all that i have and am, I am BLESSED.

Abby Woodsworth - Boretto

Abby

While recently on Facebook I noticed this advertisement for Faces of Silver and the lovely photograph attached to it caught my atten- tion immediately. Followed by this handsome man who was the photographer for this project a book called Faces of Silver. Upon read- ing about it I realized he was photographing woman with gorgeous strand of silver & white and various shades of salt and pepper, and they were all around the same age as me. I went to the web page benwinkler.com and was stunned at the quality and beauty in these photos taken by Ben. I decided to contact him when I saw San Diego was listed on upcoming photoshoots. Ben Contacted me and be began trying to coordinate this get together. Sadly, initial- ly our get together fell through but months later it fell into place. At first, I was elated but then begin to doubt my own beauty. Ever thing from weight height teeth nose you name it I was feeling over whelmed, what will I wear what makeup .I had completely given up on wearing makeup since I was unsure how to wear makeup with my grey hair and the younger girls were not helpful at the stores and I would leave feeling those horrible old feelings again, The day arrived and I had no idea how this would all work after all I had never had my photos done by such a talents man before, so upon arrival in Vista with a few changes of clothes we arrived to meet at a park. At first, I thought this is strange are we shooting outside or in a studio. well then, I met a silver sister Karin who guid- ed us to where Ben was currently photographing another beautiful silver sister. I was so nervous trying to say and do the right thing. Then It was my turn to be photographed. the very first thing Ben Whispered to me “I love your hair it’s beautiful”. Awe the fears began to subside. Ben explained some brief instructions like when I move my hand to this location do not follow with your head just follow my hand with your eyes. Well that fear of being barked out orders immediately faded away I just knew I was in Gentle hands. With ever subtle movement I felt the confidence growing and the fears melting away. I found myself at one point thinking why couldn’t everything in life be this calming. why couldn’t all teachers teach with gentleness. as the day went on the group of us ladies began to laugh and get silly and encourage one another, I even photographed Ben photographing the beautiful girls my husband Wade was photographing Ben behind the scenes which was fascinating. We went from spot to spot on the streets in alley ways. I began to feel apart of something very big and very special. After the photos shoot was over a group of us went to Belching Beaver for some lunch we snapped cell phones of each other and as groups. Friend- ships were made. FB accounts were exchanged and then the hugs. sincere hugs new friend hugs. Later that evening the personal photos started

popping up on line and we could see the real beauty of how Ben had captured us. I was amazed at my photo when saw it. I had never had such a lovely photo taken of me. As time went on I started to see the photos coming out of all of us and the compliments from each other I started to change. I have never felt pretty and here these women were showering me and each other with sincere compliments. Recently I have felt a major shift in my life. I have felt prettier. It’s Ok To be turning 60 in March. its ok to have silver hair. I started to live a hash tag I saw on my photo that ben had posed #silverhairdontcare it is Ok to have scars and not perfect teeth. I have lived almost 6 decades I am not 20 30 40 hardly 50 any longer It is Ok that I may not look like someone else I look like me. And there is only one me in this world. Ben explained that what I see everyday is not what he see’s when he looks at me thru the lens, the inner beauty the soul perhaps. What has changed since the photoshoot for Faces of Silver? A lot I have started feeling less physical pain and replaced it with a smile. I started going thru the things in my life that no longer encourage me or leave me feeling drained or drab. I purchased and started wearing makeup again though I am still not sure what I am doing with it at least I am trying. The compliments have poured in over his beautiful photos. And those who I allowed to make me feel less then or ugly were let go and replaced with a whole new group of friends who enlighten and encourage one another. You’re probably thinking, how could a few photos of me and my silver hair accomplish all this and my answer could only be one thing and that is Ben’s Ability to capture our true beauty and not edit our flaws but embrace them and in return we do not feel that need to hide our light from society. Just the opposite I felt an immediate desire to stand straighter use my eyes more to communicate sub consciously straighten my posture smile and giggle thru the gapped teeth and just be the Real Audrey that I am when I am alone in my home. Like Ben Winkler Says We have only just begun and I hope this amazing ride never ends because it feels amazing to finally be free to become me. So, this is my Testimonial of what it felt like to be photographed by Ben Winkler Inc. He’s So much more then a man behind the camera lens he is like for lack of better words The Beauty Whisperer he releases what has always been inside us and truly sets it free so we can fly and then he photographs us as we fly to new heights.