The 40 over 40 Project - Feat. Christine Baquiran
In following blog posts I’ll be featuring amazing stories of fabulous women over 40 who accepted the challenge to be seen and celebrated in portraits. Here they share their motivation to participate in the 40 over 40 project and send a strong message about why 40+ women should love, embrace and celebrate everything that makes them unique at this stage in their lives.
To be part of this amazing transformational experience visit the 40 OVER 40 PROJECT page in our website. Limited spots available. Don’t miss your chance to see yourself in a whole new light.
I want start these series featuring beautiful 42 and fabulous Christine. This is a long post due since Christine participated in the first season of the project back in Dec. 2021. well, I finally had the time to show you the magic we created in the studio and share Christine’s testimonial about her photo shoot experience in our Sacramento studio.
Hi! My name is Christine and I am 41 years old. I am happily married to my husband of 7 years and we have 2 children, Sebastian (6 years old) and Solène (2 years old). I was born and raised in the Sacramento/Elk Grove area and graduated from Elk Grove High School. I then attended UC Irvine and received my B.A. International Studies, with a minor in Digital Arts. Afterwards, I attended Samuel Merritt University for my graduate degree and earned my MSN in Nursing, specializing in Case Management. Nursing was the perfect occupation for me since it combined my love for science and helping others. Nursing has allowed me to experience a variety of specialties in the field such as medical surgical, orthopedics, telemetry, IT nursing, utilization review, and case management/discharge planning, which is my current role. Apart from my role as a registered nurse, I am also a board member of a local non-profit organization called SASSNA (Sacramento Autistic Spectrum and Special Needs Alliance). When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, trying out new restaurants/cuisines, discovering new and health recipes, playing piano, singing, practicing Shaolin Kung Fu, running, writing, painting and drawing.
Why did you want to participate in this project?: I wanted to participate in this project because I have never done anything like it before. When I read Mayumi's purpose and goal for this project, it really got me intrigued and I thought to myself, "Why not? Why not feel like a celebrity or model for a day?" I figured that it was the perfect time for me to celebrate who I am today and who I've become. I also took it as an opportunity to celebrate my 40th birthday since I was not able to celebrate my birthday the way I wanted to due to the pandemic. I knew that it would be a fun and exciting way to celebrate myself in a way that I never thought I could. In the end of it all, I knew that I would be capturing a snap shot of myself at this point in my life, for my family and I to look upon these photographs years from now, only to pass them down to generations to come.
What were you personally hoping to gain from this experience?: I was hoping that I would be able to see myself in a different light. It's interesting to see how others perceive you versus how you perceive yourself. I was also hoping to see and feel how it was like to be in the spotlight. I'm the kind of person who is a little on the shy side, and I feel self-conscious when I am at the center of attention, so I was also hoping to gain more confidence in myself as well, and to capture sides of myself that others and myself don't normally see on a daily basis.
What are you feeling now about being photographed? What was your favorite part about this process?: I'm feeling crazy excited! I feel like I've graced the cover of a high end magazine! I never though I could look like I do in these photographs. People have even asked me if I model! My favorite part about this process was seeing the final product and realizing that the outfits I chose beforehand turned out even better than I thought. But I would say that every part of this process was also just as special. Being able to have a day to myself to get pampered, having a make-up artist do my hair and make-up, and taking photos in beautiful outfits that manifest different angles of my personality was definitely an eye opener, giving me the time to focus on myself and to celebrate the person that I am.
What would you tell other women over 40 about doing something outside their comfort zone?: Doing something outside your comfort zone is daring, but at the same time exhilarating! It's okay to step outside the box, because you may find something about yourself you never knew. We are always growing and the art of self-discovery is never-ending.
What piece of advice you would like to give to your child or any young person that you wish someone would've given you?: To not fear or be afraid of challenge or when things are difficult or uncomfortable. Sometimes in life we come across obstacles which happen to stop us in our tracks, holding us back from our goals and desires. The road to your destination will not always flow perfectly the way you expect, so it is best to always keep an open mind and keep moving forward. If you fall, get up and try again. You'll eventually reach your goal, and that feeling is perfection!
If you had a super power what would it be?: If I had a super power, I would love to have the power to heal the world with love. To be able to bring peace and love to all the ends of the earth, so that we may learn, understand, and accept one another, and therefore live together in harmony, and live happy for the rest of our lives.
What would you say your most notable accomplishment has been?: Being able to balance and maintain a healthy but busy family life, as well as having a career would have to be the most notable accomplishment thus far. After my daughter was diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) over a year ago, our family had a 'mind reset' for a new normal. First and foremost, acceptance was key and then began our long journey ahead with learning about ASD, understanding it, and undergoing parent training, as well as establishing the necessary therapies she needed to support her. Educating family and friends also played an important role. Despite these challenges, I am very grateful that I am able to manage a healthy and viable home and work life.
Do you have a favorite quote, by you or someone else?: Yes - I have always lived by this quote that I came up with a long time ago: "Follow your heart because your heart knows what makes you happy."
Feeling inspired? If you are a woman over the age of 40 you are invited to participate in the 40 over 40 project. We are booking session for this Spring and Summer only. To be part of this amazing transformational experience visit the 40 OVER 40 PROJECT page in our website. Limited spots available. Don’t miss your chance to see yourself in a whole new light.
