Browse photographer Ben Baker’s online portfolio and you’ll see sumptuous portraits of the crème de la crème of American society: G. W. Bush, Ben Stiller, the Olsen Twins, the Obamas…
Then click on the “American Beauty” section of Baker’s website and scroll through these portraits.
You might be surprised.
These women aren’t famous. They’re not models. And some of them are… older.
The portraits above are just three of what eventually will be 100 photographs by Baker of diverse New York women – one woman for every year of life from birth through age 100. The photographer says he wants American Beauty to be a social document as much as it is a photographic one.
He’s shooting the portraits in his NYC studio – and he’s looking for ladies of all ethnicities and ages to be a part of his project.
A Lasting Portrait of the City
Unlike his work shooting for magazines and advertising, American Beauty is a personal project for Baker and one that, he hopes, will encapsulate both the passage of time in women’s lives and a moment in time in NYC.
“Magazines are fleeting; I long for pictures to have longevity,” he says. “Everything is so immediate in the current age. I want people to stop and take a long look and absorb it…. Maybe people will still look at these 15 years from now and see a portrait of what New York City was.”
Lattice Graham, 90
NYC is, and always will be, a few million stories – and that’s what Baker is looking for. He’s not interested in magazine model looks. He doesn’t even want to see an image beforehand.
What Is an American Beauty?
Don’t get Baker started on the pressure that the beauty industry puts on women. “I worked on a shoot that profiled women who had chosen not to get plastic surgery, and the magazine was going to retouch the shoot!” Powerful women can be the hardest to photograph because the pressure is doubly intense. “They’re in a spotlight all the time, being judged. No one questions what a male senator looks like; women are judged not only by how successful they are, but how they look.”
For American Beauty, there’s no make-up artist, no stylist; just the photographer, his camera, white background and a woman of a certain age.
Unlike the public figures he shoots, his American Beauties start out a mystery to Baker. “You don’t know the people beforehand, you can’t do research – how do you find the compelling thing in five minutes?”
Carmen Estrada, 71
Baker wants to see how each woman expresses her individuality – that’s the “beauty” he’s after. It means making his models feel comfortable by spending time chatting, finding points of connection.
“Women in general – people in general, whether they’re President or First Lady – I try to approach everyone in the same way.”
For American Beauty, Baker also asks a series of questions. The photographs and stories will become part of a video as well as the photo series.
Baker says the older women he’s photographed for this series are the most comfortable expressing who they are. “They have come to know themselves and be happy with themselves,” he says. “They don’t have to make others happy.”
“When I see my mother now, she’s more radical and having more fun! ‘This is who I am and I’m thrilled to be here.’”
Ruth Klein, 66
To Participate…
To be considered for the American Beauty project, contact Ben Baker’s studio by emailing americanbeauty@benbakerphoto.
If you know someone who might want to participate – especially women over 75 – share this page.
“Everyone gets a small selection of digital pictures emailed to them – and a complementary 8 x 10 print,” Baker says.
Photos: Ben Baker
COMMENTS
9 responses to “American Beauty: Faces of Women From Birth to 100”
I am an artist freelance designer, song writer, singer and mural artist! I am interested in participating in your project! Thanks Naita
Hi naita, if you’re interested in participating, please see the contact information in the article. (P.S. For your privacy, we removed your phone number from your comment since this is a public forum.)
This is such an amazing idea and I love the photos – I am only 58 so do not qualify but would have loved to be part of such a brilliant idea – Beauty is indeed in the eyes of the beholder
After seeing May Angelou, I know what an American Beauty is.
Hello, I would love to be apart of this project. I am originally from NY but now live in Florida. Do you ever travel here to take the photos? I am a lover of photography and work with seniors. One woman in the facility I work in, just passed at the age of 104. I have great photos her. How beautiful she was even at that age.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
Jill
Hi Jill, we included an email address for the American Beauty project at the end of the article – here it is again americanbeauty@benbakerphoto.com. Emailing this address is the best way to connect with Ben Baker’s studio.
I will love to participate in the project
Ieave in NY I try this emailing address
but there is a problem with this address
Hi Flora!
Sid here, am producing this project.
Sorry you have not been able to get through to us!
Please send us an email to studio@benbakerphoto.com if you are not getting through to the americanbeauty@benbakerphoto.com email.
I will respond to you asap!
Best,
Sid
Hi Jill!
Sid here, am producing this project.
Thanks for your interest!
Unfortunately, we are based in the NYC Chelsea area and due to our studio setup, cannot travel to take the photos. :(
Sorry!
Perhaps you may know of NY based women who would be interested in participating?
Thanks
Sid
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