The Beautiful Women of Anna Soriano Studio's 50 over 50 Event

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It is my hope that with the transformational experience , you will rediscover your potential, your purpose and your why. We are not flawed but a constant state of being. We are who we are and each moment is an opportunity to be the physical manifestation of the perfect Being we are made in the image and likeness of.

-Anna Soriano-

VALERIE BILLARD 61

My narrative for most of my life, like most women, has been one with all of the traditional labels of daughter, sister, aunt, girlfriend, wife, mother and friend. But more than that, my life has been a journey of transformation. It has been about adapting, learning and transforming through all of the many roles, changes, stages and challenges of my life.

I am doing this photoshoot because it has always been something on my bucket list, to be pampered and to be a star for one day! This photoshoot is about me transforming into my next wonderful stage of life, always striving to be the best that I can be, with a jumpstart! Even at an age when a lot of women are made to feel invisible in a society that primarily values youth. I believe that woman at any age can be beautiful and make a difference.

This is Valerie 3.0. I want to be feeling strong, feeling good, taking care of myself and loving who I am right now! This is me paying myself back for all the credit I owe to me for making it this far!

With or without someone else, I want to wake up glad of every new day and doing things that make me feel happy and joyful. I want to continue to contribute and to support and help others whenever I can.

I don’t really know where this is headed or what the future holds for me but I am excited to this journey and find out. I feel I am finally recognizing me for all I am worth and much more than I thought.

WENDY DOELL 57

Wendy Doell arrived in Vancouver in her twenties with stars in her eyes and hope in her heart. Determined to find her own way after leaving the prairies, Wendy’s journey took her from multiple office jobs to her most rewarding career --mother to four outstanding kids. While being a mom has multiple blessings, her head was always a bit in the clouds so it wasn’t a huge leap when she decided to try her hand at writing fiction.

Now, with eleven books in publication and her children grown, Wendy is eager to tackle this next stage of womanhood. This photo shoot was a great way to express a new and exciting chapter in her life.

Cloak and dagger mysteries are still her bread and butter, but traveling the world has her heart. Whether it’s traveling our scenic province in her camper van with her partner, Dave, or flying to a new far away destination, Wendy lives fornplanning her next get away. What’s next in life? Adventure awaits!

JANA LEE MACLAGAN 56

At 56 (almost) I am proud to say I look and feel better than I did 20 years ago.

My life has been a wild ride of new experiences, successes, failures and travel. I have been a military wife, a mother – twice, a divorcee and single mom, a high school biology teacher, a Literacy advocate, an ESL teacher, a makeup artist, an interior designer, an esthetician and anti- aging expert, a wife again, a charity volunteer and an entrepreneur. My life has been lived in 4 different countries on 3 different continents and included 14 moves. I started my own business with SeneGence International 4 years ago because I wanted some magic lip colour that lasted all day, little did I know that would lead to so much more.

This 50 over 50 photo shoot experience was really a dream come true for me. Anna is an expert, just listen to her and everything will work out perfectly. You are worthy, you should capture this moment in time and revel in the beautiful images she will create for you. Do it, you won’t regret it, you deserve it!

This session came at the perfect time, my first published writing came out on March 8, 2021 as a coauthor in Pursuit 365 – a celebration of Canadian women. That leap of faith has had a snowball effect for me. My first cookbook will be released in the fall and I am excited to share my love of entertaining and hosting dinner parties to a new audience. And yes, Anna captured the perfect image for the book!

It is with excitement that I head down the road, who knows what new thing I will do next. All I know for sure is that I will be sporting a fabulous SeneGence lip colour, wearing a pair of amazing heels and drinking the good wine while eating off the good china! Slainte!

BARBARA JONES 70

I was born and raised in Burnaby.  Second born of six kids.

Married 3 times, engaged once, widowed twice.

I  Mom to two fantastic kids and grandma to five amazing grandchildren.

I have always wanted a portrait taken of me when someone has done my make up, my hair and dressed in beautiful clothes.  When I saw the 50 over 50 project I was so excited  at the chance to be spoiled. 

It was so worth it.  

I would wake up everyday in fevered passion of living g life and saying yes (within reason) to every opportunity that comes my way.

Celebrate being alive and having Fun!!!

ANISTASCIA KYRISCYTHYS 57

In 2007 at the age of 45, I left my marriage with 3 children ages 14, 12, and 4. The circumstances were complicated. At the time we lived in Florida, my work visa had run out, our family business was defunct, and we were in mountains of debt. With help from friends’ flights were booked to return to Canada. Goodbye palm trees, warm breezes and the sweet smell of orange blossoms, hello snow covered mountains! Vancouver in November 2008 was grey, I felt like the lights had been turned out on my life in so many ways. It snowed and I recall joking that we collectively had more bathing suits then socks, but really, I was just worried on how I was going to properly clothe my kids. We rented a 1 bedroom with a den and I started to set down roots like anyone new to a country would do. I took a sales job, then another and another. I experienced job turnover which would turn my life upside down and affect the kid’s life as we relocated housing and changed schools again. I would have access to company cars and then I did not. There were times when I relied on employment insurance and other times when I worked 2 jobs and a side hustle to make ends meet.

We persevered. My kids are grown adults, doing well and each forging their way in life. As an empty nester I began the process of defining what I was going to get up to next, after all, I am only 57 and I have still got some living to do.

I saw Anna’s Facebook post of her 50 over 50 project and knew I wanted to be part of it. Anna and her team did not disappoint. My make up and hair was done. Anna fitted me in a beautiful gown that she made herself and I was ready to hit the studio with confidence and a willingness to have some fun.

Lights Camera Action! Thank you Anna for providing such a wonderful experience.

DR. SUSAN THIESSEN 55

I think we find our strength when we have something or someone worth fighting for. Our passions and dream, children, families, homes, our environment.  Find your passion and decide what’s important and then align your energies behind that.   That’s is powerful.   

CAT WATERMAN 51

I used to judge others when they changed their name or went ‘back’ to their birth name. I questioned

how is it that changing their name would make them feel more aligned with who they are. And I get it now. I look at my life journey and I was referred to Cathy or Kitmun (my Chinese name) when I was little. It wasn’t until my late teens when I met my now sis-in-law and soul sister, that I was then dubbed as Cat. She was the only human that called me that. Then fast forward to near 40, my now husband called me Cat and introduced me to his world as such. Social media I am known as Cat.

This short story about my name just to me as I started to write this. It spoke to me because I am someone that is always ending my way. Not in a lost kind of way. In a celebration of ‘this is me’ kind of way. I love my impact to those around me and have learned to move from thinking or belief that everyone deserved more. My current self, will hold the line, hold context, keep others accountable while keeping myself accountable, while still holding space, and most importantly put myself first. That sounds like a lot doesn’t it? It can be, and it takes practice.

Everyone is a dreamer. I am a dreamer. When I attract an opportunity like this one with Anna, I lit up on the inside. I have dreamed of being a model of sorts. Having lived the dream of being +t and competing a few years back, another other dream is to be a face or skin model. What can I say, thanks to my parents, I am blessed with amazing anti-aging genes!

And now for that million-dollar question, if money and time were not a factor, what would I wake to every day? This question reminds me of Miss Congeniality where all the contestants’ answer is “world peace”. Giggles aside (because it’s SUCH a great movie!), it’s true, world peace would be top priority, especially in today’s climate. And then, I close my eyes and visualize that I am healthy, vibrant, strong, waking up with the love of my life and our dog, in our ocean-facing home, our boat moored to our own dock, and surrounded by nature and the love of our family and closest friends.


BETH BYNOE 56

I am 56 years old and love being in my 50s. There is something so freeing about owning my skin and loving the person within it! Over the course of my life I have been a student, a lawyer, a mediator, an administrator, a wife, a mom (which encompasses more jobs than I have space available to list), a volunteer, and now a pilates instructor.

Why participate in Anna’s project? It is an opportunity to capture who we are in this moment and to recognize that our wisdom, experiences, spirit, and sense of self make us gorgeous!  Smooth, saggy, tight, wrinkled: it all has a place in the story of our lives and it is that story that creates beauty.

My next chapter is being an empty nester and I plan on using this time to explore, nourish and develop my creative self.

DEE POZZOLO 58

I highly recommend participating in the 50 over 50.

When I first heard about the project, I was intrigued. As older women our life changes, and we change. Mentally, physically and spiritually. It is a time of letting go and deciding what the next chapter looks like; re-inventing ourselves, accepting and celebrating who we are.

Anna Soriano gives you a fun and safe space to celebrate you with this wonderful 50 over 50 photoshoot. Her expertise let’s you shine.

The value is the experience, a chance to play, have your make up and hair done and to dress up in some great outfits.

You deserve this treat and the gift of how you can shine.