Astrid was part of my Fabulous Over 40 portrait experience in 2023 and this year, she returned to my portrait studio in Driebergen, with her three grown-up sons for a family photo session. While Astrid had her hair and makeup professionally done by Monique from @feelgoodvisagie, I began photographing the boys. Later, she joined them in front of the camera, and together we created a series of portraits that reflect their beautiful energy and fun connection. Most of the time, I photograph women through campaigns like Fabulous Over 40 and Boss Babes, but I grew up with four brothers, and I love being around male energy too. Men deserve to be photographed and seen, just as much. These portraits are more than just images. They're part of a family legacy - something her sons will keep, revisit, and appreciate more as the years pass

If your friends/family had to describe you in 3-4 words, what would they say? Sassy (better than "sarcastic" ;) );cool under pressure What would you say is your best emotional quality? NOT patient, lol! Caring What is your occupation and how do you like to spend your free time? I have been in cybersecurity and technology my entire career. Free time is spent with family, learning, and traveling. Any guilty pleasures? Chocolate and wine (and I don't feel guilty) What brings you joy? Traveling What are you most proud of? I am most proud of my daughter, she makes me a better person. For myself, though, I am proud that I have built a life and career that I love, and that I did not sacrifice or give in when others told me I couldn't possibly "have it all" as a mother, wife, and professional. What advice would you give your 20-year old self looking back? Say yes, take the risk-you're being offered the opportunity because you are ready, and it's ok to fail and get back up again. When you entered your 50's, what did you find were the most significant or poignant changes? I found having more, closer relationships with other women - both professionally and personally - was both necessary and incredibly rewarding. Women should be lifting one another up and helping find more opportunities for one another - there isn't just one slice of pie that we have to compete for, there are a bunch of pies and we can all have more. Do you have a story about yourself that you would like to share? Something funny, wise or that you have overcome? I was once told that moving across country when I was 24 with just me and my dog was "brave," and more recently someone else told me they thought moving to a new country was "brave." It was interesting to hear that, because I don't think of myself as brave; in fact, I am generally risk averse and tend to take very calculated risks. But Irealised at that moment that everyone's perception and definition of "brave" is a bit different. I think my daughter was even more brave to pick up and move to a new country with no contacts except me and her father 90 minutes away.I think women are often less likely to take what they perceive to be as "risks", but I think we are also often more likely to feel self-rewarded when we do. Do you still have a dream or big goal that you would love to accomplish? I recently met a woman on a plane. She seemed to be older than I am and was traveling alone. She shared with me that she was returning from a few months in Greece, from a small island she and her husband had been visiting every year since the 1980s. Her husband passed away 12 years ago, and at first she didn't want to go back, but then decided that was neither honoring his memory nor was it giving her joy, so she starting going again, and since then had started traveling even more, frequently by herself, taking language and cooking and culture classes wherever she goes. I noticed her slinging her suitcase around, and she told me she is 81 years old and works out with a trainer twice a week and on her own every day so that she can continue traveling solo.What an incredible role model! So, I set my "next phase" goals as:keep traveling, keep learning, and keep moving.

Meet Alexander and Yolanda. They have two children, five grandchildren, and have been married for forty-five years this year. This lovely couple came to my Driebergen studio, and it was their first professional photoshoot since their wedding day. I had so much fun with them in the studio. Coincidentally, Alexander is originally from Driebergen, and his childhood home was right next door to where my current studio resides. When were you last photographed with your special someone? Contact me, and let’s create something to treasure.

Regina is a fun and inspiring woman who came for a portrait session at my studio in Driebergen. Her favourite saying is : "I can do everything and anything I can't do yet I can learn" She learned to play guitar at the age of 51 , roller skates in various cities around the world, hula hoops, dances and goes to festivals. Her aim isn't to 'age gracefully' but to 'age with mischief, audacity and a good story to tell'.

Sue is a top newborn and family photographer in Kent in England and travelled from the UK to Driebergen for her portrait experience. She had a few reasons for doing a photoshoot; firstly she needed a few images for her website and marketing; her mother is an artist and wanted a classic portrait to create artwork from; and lastly, Sue has worked so hard as a business owner and single mother and wanted to do something beautiful just for herself and to celebrate HER. This is what she had to say about her portrait experience: "Working with Jules was an experience I'll cherish forever. At 51, I never considered myself particularly photogenic, and the idea of a photoshoot alone terrified me. But I knew it was something I needed to do for myself, and Jules's experience and professionalism put me at ease from the start. The shoot itself was nothing short of amazing. Jules created a relaxed and fun atmosphere, and it was fun and a truly a moving experience to focus on myself for a change. The images Jules captured exceeded all my expectations. I was surprised by how many of them I loved. Jules has a remarkable talent for bringing out the best in people, and she certainly did that for me. Since the shoot, I've found myself feeling more confident than ever before. That's a gift that Jules gave me, and I can't thank her enough."

In the Netherlands, it's hard to miss the school graduation season. School bags hang proudly on Dutch flags mounted outside family homes with "Geslaagd" written boldly in multiple windows on every street. For many families, it’s also a season of change. Your child may be finishing school, going to middelbare school, planning a gap year, moving out, or starting university. Those small daily routines - like making school lunches and hearing the front door close as they head out to school on their bike - start to fade and suddenly life is different to what it was. Last year, Aniek decided to book a family photoshoot because both of her children were graduating. She wanted to take a moment to capture their family just as they were at that time, before life started to look a little different. Family portrait sessions like this are about more than just images. They’re about holding onto a stage of life that’s easy to rush past : the in-between space that deserves to be seen and remembered. When was the last time you were photographed as a family? If you’ve been thinking about doing a shoot “one day,” this might be a great time to do it - there is no 'perfect' time and life rushes by in a blur. Contact me and let's make it happen!

If your friends/family had to describe you in 3-4 words, what would they say? She's an independent and very energetic woman who is living her life to the max. Always busy, always laughing. She's tough and has charisma! What would you say is your best emotional quality? My optimism and empathy. My glass is not half full but completely full! I always see opportunities to make life a little bit more pleasant for myself and also for others. If we can't go to the left, then we'll go to the right and if that's not possible then I'll find another way to go forward. There's always a way! I am a people person and can sense what others need. I like to connect people with each other to make the world a better place. I think that my intelligence, my curiosity and my creativity are great gifts which support the way I live, love and connect (with) people. What is your occupation and how do you like to spend your free time? I have been working in IT for over 30 years. I left school in 1989 as a programmer and have a successful career in IT in the financial sector, where I now work as an IT project manager. I have an analytical brain that loves this IT work. I love mathematics and economics. Since 2016 I have been introduced to Tantra by my beloved at that time (my second great love) and that has enriched and shifted my personal life a lot. I have started to live a much more self-aware life. I've had to face my own shit and traumas. I had to clean my system energetically to be able to live much more self-consciously in the here and now with as few judgments and as few expectations as possible and with more self-love and self-acceptance. It's a continuous learning path, I'm never done with it. I can look a little bit deeper into myself every time and I am now also able to help others with this process. So in addition to my work as an IT project manager, I also give tantra workshops and massages. Working in IT and as a Tantra teacher also ensures that I am very well balanced. Any guilty pleasures? Lingerie, I spend more money on lingerie than on clothes. It looks like a fetish, but it gives me so much joy and happiness. Any 'life hacks' to share? My life hack is Tantra. That has given me so much peace of mind. It completely changed the love-hate relationship with my body for the better, which now makes me feel super feminine and sexy. It has also given my life energy a huge boost. And if something doesn't work out, just fail with radiance and laugh at yourself! it gives you the opportunity to start over again. What brings you joy? Dancing and especially Tantric dance. It's a dance of giving and receiving, in which one person is in charge and the other person is blindfolded in the dance and surrenders to the leader of the dance. When you use a blindfold, your other senses become more sensitive. By blocking your view, many prejudices are also removed, it allows you to meet yourself and others with a more open heart. What are you most proud of? I am the most proud of my daughters Sylvie and Lotte. And after that I am the most proud of my courage to turn my life around, despite the fact that I have hurt others a lot by doing so. That I was brave enough to choose for myself. The hardest choice of my life was to divorce my first great love, the father of my beautiful daughters. I deprived my children of the family they grew up in and felt guilty about it for a long time. But in the end, I became much happier myself. So I also hope that I have been able to give my children the example that you may choose for your own happiness at all times and that you do not have to live according to the expectations of others. What is your favourite poem, quote or saying? 1. A day without laughter is a wasted day. Laugh loud and love deeply every day! 2. In Tantra we say: Behind your biggest dragon is your biggest treasure chest. It means that where you feel resistance, you have to discover something. There you can probably learn your biggest lesson. Because outside your comfort zone is where the magic happens! So be brave! When you entered your 50's, what did you find were the most significant or poignant changes? One of the most poignant changes in my life was my mother's death. She died at the age of 71, I was 47 years old at that time. She had cancer and we knew she was going to die, which gave us an intense period of saying goodbye and I was very grateful for that. And it sounds strange, but her death was a magical and wonderful event, which removed my fear of death. After her death I had a burnout for 9 months. A few years later I suddenly felt a rush to live my life. I started saying yes to many more things because I was afraid that I would miss something or later regret the things I didn't do in my life. I want to experience so much more! Do you have a story about yourself that you would like to share? Among all the adventures I found myself in, I discovered TenClub in Amsterdam. And that made me so much happier! TenClub is a life theatre for self-realisation. TenClub is a society for curious people that want to explore humanity. Membership is as much about receiving as giving; therefore each and every member of TenClub commits itself to his or her curiosity and willingness to open up. TenClub is so inspiring because as members we share and further develop our fascinations with each other. I come into contact with such diverse subjects, supported by various forms of art, that I would never have sought out myself and Tenclub has elevated partying to a form of art! What are your thoughts on aging? I'm happy and proud that I'm getting older! Every year I celebrate exuberantly, knowing that it can just be over and I am grateful that I can live this fantastic life. I am older and wiser and feel more beautiful than ever! An aging body does need more attention and I was even able to increase my fitness and strength by doing strength training at Fit20, 20 minutes of super heavy training for muscle failure once a week. Yes, I also thought that it couldn't be true and that it was a sales pitch, but I am a curious person and you only know whether something is really true once you have experienced it yourself. So I booked a trial lesson and after that lesson I had sore muscles for almost a week, also in muscles that I had not been aware of before. Well, then I was convinced and now I have been training there for over 6 years and I am healthier and fitter than I have ever been. I love natural beauty and use little make-up myself. Be proud of your wrinkles, they show that you have lived. My credo is: don't cut a healthy body. Do you still have a dream or big goal that you would love to accomplish? I'm already living my dream. I feel free and liberated. I live with my full YES for life. And I am convinced that life is predestined, that is why it is best to surrender to life and approach everything with an open mind and an open heart. You meet the people you need in your life, sometimes to take care of you, sometimes to show you the way or the other way around - they need you to grow and move forward. Some people stay longer than others, but usually you can see afterwards what that person brought you or why you had to meet him/her. Embrace setbacks, it doesn't happen for nothing, you have a lesson to learn or insight to gain from it. No matter how difficult life is sometimes, the sun rises every morning for you too!. Love and be well!

This beautiful woman contacted me to be a part of my Fabulous Over 40 Campaign. Rain lives in Germany and travelled from there for her shoot and made a weekend out of her shoot experience. She loves fashion and brought in so many beautiful outfits and looks which were so much fun to photograph. My favourite images though are of her with no clothing and just happy in her own skin. Is there anything more beautiful than someone just comfortable and happy in their own skin?

Roxana came for a shoot at studio in Driebergen to update her business photos and also to create a collection of portraits that capture different sides of herself. We created a beautiful leather album of her images. This is what she had to say about her experience: "I never saw myself this way before – mysterious, kind, with amazing eyes and a nice smile. Seeing the final images has changed the way I view myself. It made me realise that I should focus more on myself as a woman rather than just as a professional. This experience has had a positive impact, shifting the way I perceive myself and how I approach day-to-day activities."

Lea has the most beautiful energy and a laugh that makes you feel good about the world. She turned 50 this year and decided that a photoshoot at my studio in Driebergen was an amazing idea to celebrate herself. In addition to updating her professional profile, she also needed a few images to promote her new salsa classes and also some beautiful art just for herself. She has Surinamese heritage and yellow is the colour that signifies turning 50 so she brought a fun and bold yellow dress as one of her outfits. I love all the different sides that we captured of her - smart, elegant, fun, casual and effortlessly sexy. She opted to display her photos in a beautiful portfolio box as well as a small collection of wall art.

Corneli Muller, 45 - Fabulous Over 40 Corneli is an independent consultant and professional mindset coach with an exuberant spirit and humungous heart. A few months before moving to the Netherlands, she unexpectedly lost her mother. Going through her photos she realised how few photos she had captured of her mom and this inspired her to do a portrait session - as something meaningful and beautiful for herself, but mainly as a gift to her children and a meaningful way to honour her late mother - by giving her children the the thing she never had. Her thoughts on aging: "I am LOVING it! Go on, embrace it. It comes with wisdom untold. About life and about YOU. It's the BEST thing. Hair and make-up by Costina Lumezeanu.

Paulina Stankiewicz, 43 If your friends/family had to describe you in 3-4 words, what would they say? Empowering, Inspiring, Bold, Elegant, Strong What would you say is your best emotional quality? Definitely not patient lol. My best emotional quality is being passionate. What is your occupation, and how do you like to spend your free time? CEO and Founder of Paulina Stankiewicz, C-Suite Coaching. I am a World-Class Leadership Coach for CEOs. I help my clients elevate their consciousness and leadership presence so that they can grow their business exponentially and with that, create massive positive impact in the world. In my free time I love to read & learn, go for a walk, meet with friends, and do yoga. All of that in beautiful places. Any guilty pleasures? Ice cream! Any 'life hacks' to share? Every morning, sit down with pen and paper and write down 3 pages as a 5 year old - put any thoughts that come to your mind on paper. This way you will clear your mind and be ready for an excellent day! What brings you joy? Meaningful conversations with like-minded people, laughing and joking with my bestfriends, and traveling. What are you most proud of? I am incredibly proud of my journey—of who I have become and who I am still becoming. I am deeply grateful for my persistence in personal growth and my commitment to doing the inner work to better myself and break free from limitations and conditioning. I love my adventurous and courageous spirit. At 20, I traveled to the United States with just a backpack, and a decade ago, I made the bold decision to move to the Netherlands. The biggest transformation in my life came when I left the corporate world to start my own business. I am extremely proud of how quickly I built it (thanks to a shift in consciousness) and the impactful coach I have become. I find immense joy in serving my clients and living in alignment with my mission and purpose. What is your favourite poem, quote or saying? “Life doesn't happen to you, it happens for you.” - Tony Robbins What advice would you give your 20-year-old self looking back? I would tell her to love herself more and choose herself, instead of trying to please other people. And also that everything is always going to be okay and she is safe. When you entered your 40's, what did you find were the most significant or poignant changes? I started my business in the year when I was turning 40! I also broke up with my partner right after I turned 40. I see it as a point where I looked within and decided to put myself first and focus on me. A beautiful life has unfolded. Do you have a story about yourself that you would like to share? When I bought my first apartment in Amsterdam, just a few weeks later, I came home on a Friday night, ready to fall asleep, when I heard noises in my kitchen. I froze. It turned out that mice had decided to have a feast in my cupboard—not just one or two, but what felt like an entire army (though I never actually saw them). I texted the man I was dating at the time, and he promised to come over in the morning to help. I barely slept that night. When he arrived, he set up traps, but they didn’t make me feel comfortable. I didn’t want to kill the mice—I just wanted to repel them. Everyone I spoke to offered different ways to deal with the mice, but all of them involved killing them—some in very brutal ways. I considered moving out altogether (though a 30-year mortgage made that tricky), but then I had another idea: I decided to adopt a cat. Since then, I’ve felt safe, protected, and—most importantly—I can finally sleep well! What are your thoughts on aging? I believe aging has been conditioned as something negative, something to fear—primarily because it’s often associated with becoming less beautiful or more prone to illness. Recently, I came across the perspective that aging is a disease, and if we truly care for our bodies—especially by maintaining our muscles—we could stay healthy far longer than we typically imagine. I also think aging is harder for women because beauty is often seen as their greatest currency. Society places immense pressure on women to preserve their appearance, which can make the aging process feel even more daunting. For me, I choose to embrace a different mindset, inspired by Meryl Streep’s words about loving every wrinkle as a symbol of a life well-lived, full of laughter, emotions, and rich experiences. It’s a reminder to celebrate the story our bodies tell rather than fear it. Do you still have a dream or big goal that you would love to accomplish? Absolutely! I have a dream map filled with big goals I’m determined to accomplish. My life purpose and mission are deeply alive in my business, and growing it to impact millions of people is my ultimate vision. Learn more about Paulina on her website here.

Today I’m preparing a special package for Allyson’s family with deep sadness. She joined my Fabulous Over 40 campaign last year after some hesitation—she wasn’t sure she wanted to spend so much money on herself. It was her brother who convinced her she was worth it. When Allyson came to the studio from Zwolle, she brought so much care and thoughtfulness to the experience. She wore a red dress that made her feel beautiful, paired with accessories and a flower in her hair. She mentioned she always wore her hair tied back, but for the shoot, I encouraged her to let down her beautiful braids. Her sister joined her for the photo reveal, and Allyson chose the images that truly reflected how she felt—happy, content, beautiful, and empowered. Not long after, I received the very sad news that Allyson had unexpectedly passed away from a stroke. It was a poignant reminder of how fragile life can be and how important it is to take the time to celebrate ourselves and our lives—even when it might feel indulgent or like the timing isn’t perfect. Photos aren’t just pictures; they’re moments we can hold onto and share with those we love. Allyson’s pictures will always hold a special meaning for her family, and I feel so honored to have been part of creating them. Don’t wait to celebrate yourself or your life. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Celebrate today.

Jetske quit her corporate job over 10 years ago and now has her own successful coaching and leadership training company and has never looked back. She contacted me for updated professional images that are relatable and that show her personality; and she also realised that nearly 7 years had flown by since her last professional photo shoot and it was time for an update. She originally felt too nervous to book a shoot as she had all the fears that I hear from most of the women I speak to (she didn't know how to 'pose', felt like she could lose 1 or 2 kilos, feels like she is getting 'older') but she decided to go for it and gift herself something nice for herself and celebrate who she is at this stage of her life. She has a warm, calm and joyful energy which I really enjoyed capturing!

Angeles's husband booked a photoshoot as a 50th birthday gift for her. She used this opportunity to create a few new business portraits, some personal portraits to celebrate being 50 and also to create timeless portraits with her daughter, Sofia, who was finishing with 'middelbare' school and heading off to university in Groningen.

What is your current occupation? I’m a brand manager and designer for the collection 'Histoire d'elle Jewelry' 'A tribute to women and nature' What did you want to be when you were a child? From a young age,I have always been passionate about jewellery. For every occasion, receiving a piece of jewellery was the ultimate gift for me.I believe it was written in the stars. What called you to your line of work or to start your business?Jewellery has something magical.That deep emotional connection, the symbolism, and the beauty of jewellery has always stayed with me. At some point,I realised I didn't just want to admire jewellery,I wanted to create it-to be part of those special moments in other people's lives.That's what led me to start Histoire d'elle Jewelry and to meet the right people at exactly the right moment.The universe has its timing - everything happens exactly when it's meant to be. What is your life motto? Happiness is not a destination, it is a way of life. What is your definition of success? For me success means creating something meaningful that touches people's lives, while staying true to who I am.Waking up every day excited about what you do, and going to bed proud of what you've built.Success is freedom - to create, to choose, to be. What's the best career advice that you've received? One piece of advice I never received-but learned through years of experience working for others - is not just how things should be done, but especially how they shouldn't.Success in my work isn't just about me; it's also thanks to an amazing team.This is not a one-woman show. What's your favourite thing to come home to after a long day at work? One of my favourite little rituals is calling my son Matthew on the drive home-just to talk, laugh and share a moment together. When I'm home I love just relaxing, enjoying a good meal with a glass of wine ,and talking about m/his day with my husband - that's all I need. Can you tell a story about a mistake or failure that has turned into a success or a great lesson? Every day is a lesson. Every day, you learn something new. What do you think the world needs more of?The world needs more empathy, more compassion ,more listening, less ego.We need more to open your eyes to the beauty of nature that surrounds us - to take a moment to truly see it.

Rhoda came to Europe over 30 years ago. She had a Master's Degree in German literature and was told that the only job she could get as a foreigner was a cashier at a supermarket. Despite her Masters with Honors, Rhoda started as a front office receptionist at a small company. Then, she rose very quickly up the ladder, outgrew a number of mid size companies, and went on to work for international companies in global roles. Rhoda is now one of the few HR and Communications professionals who has experience working in Asia, Europe, and North America. Her most recent role was the Leadership & Culture Development Director at Lippert EMEA. She is passionate about diversity and purpose-driven leadership in the workplace and on a personal note, she is super-positive, optimistic and so full of joy that it was so lovely to capture. Rhoda is now living in the Netherlands and is proud of her accomplishments, all obtained through hard work, the support and encouragement of 13 amazing leaders, and constantly stepping out of her comfort zone and being her authentic self. Are you a professional woman who would love to refresh your online presence, boost your confidence, and connect with like-minded inspiring women? Join my Boss Babes Portrait Campaign here.

Eva is an energetic and positive woman who came to my photostudio in Driebergen in order to create some updated business portraits. She is also starting a workout routine in Amsterdam using a skipping rope called 'Jumpsterdam' and so we created some portraits for her new business. While she was in studio, we also took the opportunity to create some personal portraits just for fun.

Carmen came in for a photo shoot at my studio in Driebergen to celebrate herself. She is a working mom and two small children and wanted to take some time just for herself. Her mom was also visiting the Netherlands and she joined in for a few shots too. Monique from Feel Good Visagie did both of their hair and make-up so that they were feeling camera ready and we a really fun morning in studio.

Nina is a creative and intuitive woman who wanted to do a shoot to create some updated images for her business (she is an interior designer and strategist) and also to celebrate herself exactly as she is and to celebrate herself as an art form. To her there is nothing more beautiful than black and white photography and timeless pictures to keep for life and hand down to future generations. Her goals for the future include doing a triathlon, writing a book and renovating a small villa somewhere in Europe by the sea. I love her thoughts on aging: "I find it beautiful in its unraveling, but I also think it is a very personal journey especially for women. It should be more about the unraveling and learning of one's inner self more than anything, and how any woman wishes to deal with the outer aging process is up to them." We created a beautiful and classic photo album with the images that she selected from her session. Are you woman in your 40's, 50's, 60's or beyond who would love to create some updated business images or just to celebrate yourself as you are right now? There are just 2 spots left for this season of 'Fabulous Over 40' https://www.julesmorgan.com/campaigns/fabulous-over-40