There is a quiet shift happening among women in their thirties, forties, fifties and beyond.
It is not about trends, or filters, or trying to look twenty-one again.
It is about something far more meaningful: the desire to be seen.
For many of us, years can pass without a single photograph of ourselves that we truly love. We are the ones behind the camera, the organisers, the nurturers, the planners, the ones saying “oh no, not me today”. We wait for the mythical moment when we will feel ready, slimmer, calmer, more put together. And before we realise it, a decade has slipped past.
It is within this landscape that a new style of photography experience is emerging, one centred not on perfection but on presence. One of the women leading this shift is Essex and London photographer Sharon De Torres, founder of Diva Photoshoots. Her concept offers a luxury editorial experience designed for real women at any age, any size, and any stage of life.
But what makes this different from a typical portrait session?
To find out more visit Sharon’s website https://www.sharondetorres.com/divaphotoshoots/
Editorial, but deeply personal
Unlike studio shoots that focus on stiff poses or “smile for the camera” moments, Diva focuses on authenticity, empowerment and the belief that every woman is already enough exactly as she is.
Women arrive to a red carpet welcome, professional beauty support and an all female team whose only aim is to help them feel relaxed, supported and celebrated. The experience feels closer to stepping onto a magazine set than booking a conventional photoshoot, yet it remains warm, generous and grounded.
Sharon’s background in editorial fashion gives the images their signature polish, but it is her ability to see women clearly, without judgement, that makes the experience so unique. She does not simply photograph a face, she captures a story.
A moment to stop and breathe
Many of the women who book a Diva session share similar reflections.
They have not had a photo they liked in years.
They have been waiting for the “right time”.
They feel invisible in the busyness of work, motherhood or midlife.
The shoot becomes a moment of pause, a reminder that they are still here, powerful and brilliant in ways they often forget. The finished images, often printed as luxury art pieces, become more than décor. They are symbols of confidence reclaimed and identity rediscovered.
These portraits capture the woman you have become, and the deeper essence that has always been there.
From self-conscious to self-celebrating
There is something profoundly emotional about allowing yourself to be photographed. It brings up vulnerability and long-held beliefs about how we appear in the world. Yet most women leave these sessions feeling unexpectedly uplifted.
Some see strength in their eyes for the first time in years.
Some finally recognise the woman their friends speak so fondly about.
Some choose to mark milestone birthdays, new beginnings or quiet victories.
It becomes less about looking perfect and more about feeling present.
Community, confidence and connection
The growth of empowerment photography speaks to something bigger. Women want connection, celebration and a moment to place themselves at the centre of their own story. Diva’s events and launch gatherings reflect this movement, offering spaces where women can meet, chat, browse art and simply enjoy an evening created with them in mind.
It is not about selling an image.
It is about helping women feel seen in their own lives.
A new era of being photographed
As more women step into experiences like Diva, one thing becomes clear. This is not a fleeting trend. It is a cultural moment. A reminder that beauty is not confined to specific ages or shapes. That celebrating ourselves is not indulgent but necessary. And that being photographed can be one of the most unexpectedly empowering acts a woman can choose.
After all, the heart of Diva comes back to a simple truth.
You are enough exactly as you are.
