A Brand Photographer’s Portrait Series on Rural Women and Menopause

As a personal brand photographer working with women in business across regional NSW, my work has always been about more than creating beautiful images. I’m drawn to stories, the quiet, everyday ones that reveal who we.

So when Sentiment Agency commissioned me to photograph and produce a social media campaign about rural women and menopause, it felt deeply aligned. The topic is personal for me. I’m in my forties, and like many women, I’ve started noticing small shifts in my own body. I wanted to better understand this stage of life, not only for myself but for the women in my community.

This was also my first paid social post, and I’ll admit I hesitated at first. I’ve always felt cautious about attaching my name to sponsored content. But I’m so glad I said yes. The feedback was incredible. Women reached out with their own stories, and conversations began that felt real and long overdue. It reminded me why I do this work: because storytelling, through both photography and words, has the power to connect us.

The Project

The brief was to capture a series of black and white portraits of local women sharing their menopause stories. The aim was to highlight new research showing that rural women face significant disadvantages in accessing menopause support and healthcare.

Each portrait was shot in my studio using a single studio light and a simple grey backdrop. I wanted the images to feel timeless, honest, and classic, allowing each woman’s face and words to take centre stage. Check out this BTS video of me photographing their portraits in my Bega Studio.

The Women and Their Stories:

Gabrielle

Gabrielle’s menopause journey stretched over a decade, a long, slow transformation marked by exhaustion, allergies, and sleepless nights. She spoke candidly about learning to adapt, finding ways to support her body naturally, and how patience and acceptance eventually carried her through.

“It felt like being in a permanent PMS state for years, craving comfort food, feeling emotional, and trying to hold it all together. When it finally ended, it was like stepping back into the world again.”

Chrissy

For Chrissy, menopause arrived in her mid-forties with relentless migraines and fatigue while she was running a busy business seven days a week. It wasn’t until years later that she learned these symptoms were hormonal. Her story highlights the gap in knowledge and care for women in rural areas and the relief that comes with finally being heard.

“I had migraines that lasted a week at a time. I was exhausted, medicated, and no one mentioned menopause. When a doctor finally recognised what was happening, it changed everything.”

“I’ve been on HRT for years now, and it’s given me back my quality of life. It shouldn’t be this hard for women to get help.”

Õzelm

Lily spoke about how menopause reshaped her energy, focus, and confidence at work. As a creative and small business owner, she found it challenging to maintain her usual pace while dealing with fatigue and brain fog.

“I didn’t realise how much oestrogen affects connection and calmness. I started feeling peopled-out, like I needed more space and quiet to recharge.”

“The hardest part was the brain fog, trying to focus, read, or remember simple things. It affected my confidence, especially in professional situations.”

Her reflections capture the tension many women feel between maintaining productivity and honouring what their body needs.

KARA

At the perimenopausal stage, Kara is still in the early days of this transition. Her symptoms, such as sleep disruption, night-time anxiety, and overheating, have prompted her to take a proactive and positive approach.

“I didn’t want to sink into negativity about it. I’m focusing on exercise, eating well, and lifting weights. It’s about meeting it head-on, not fighting it.”

She also recognises how much easier it is to feel informed and supported today compared to a decade ago, thanks to open conversations and accessible information online.

Kim

Kim’s story is a powerful reminder of how debilitating menopause can be when untreated. After years of anxiety, depression, and brain fog, she eventually found relief through hormone therapy.

“The brain fog was one of the worst things for me. I used to have a great memory, but suddenly I needed three calendars just to keep track of life.”

“I finally found a women’s health clinic online, and it changed everything. But it shouldn’t take that much effort to get proper care.”

Kim’s experience also highlights the stigma around hormone therapy, particularly in rural communities where access to women’s health specialists is limited.

Reflections

I’m deeply grateful to the women who shared their stories and to Sentiment Agency for commissioning this important project. What began as a paid brief became something far more meaningful, a chance to contribute to a bigger conversation about women’s health, visibility, and storytelling.

If this topic resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What do you wish more people understood about menopause, or about accessing healthcare where you live?

You can view the conversations this portrait series started over at my Instagram here. And to learn more about my work as a personal brand photographer.