Seniors are in the spotlight in photographer Nigel Barker’s portrait series

They may not have glamour teams or wardrobe stylists, but Nigel Barker’s latest photo subjects are some of the most beautiful he has ever met.

The fashion photographer – known for his time at America’s Next Top Model – has started a new project taking stunning portraits of elderly residents of Monarch Communities (most recently in Southbury, Connecticut, as pictured).

“They have extraordinary stories,” says Barker, 52, who interviews and photographs the residents. “It’s important that we document people’s lives and their actions.”

Among the fascinating people he has met are 80-year-old Germaine LeVasseur (above left), who once danced for the Queen during her visit to Trinidad and Tobago, and 88-year-old Ann Hobson (above right), who worked on Jimmy Carter’s election campaign.

“Some people think, ‘I don’t have a story.’ I’m just a regular guy,” Barker says. “But when you’re 80, 90 years old, you certainly have a story, if not many, many stories. These were people you could spend all afternoon with and just enjoy their company and hear about their great experiences.”

Although Barker says some residents came to her sessions “a little nervous,” most were simply excited to have their photo taken.

“In a society that is defined by youth and a certain form of perfection, once we reach a certain age we don’t ask people the same questions – we don’t dig as deep,” Barker says. “But I think once you reach a certain age you’re not trying to impress. And that’s a very special quality because there’s no motive whatsoever, it’s just, ‘Here’s my story.'”

Barker considers himself fortunate to have photographed more than 30 residents so far and plans to shoot more and exhibit the images in various Monarch communities.

“It’s magical to hear and see these things,” he says. “As a photographer, you have access to moments in time. But when you talk to someone who has lived to be over 90 or 100, you’re not just capturing a moment; the moment they tell the story is years in an instant – every look in their eyes, the passion or stoic nature they might have. Everyone has such an individual personality.”

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As he continues his project (you can see some of his images on Instagram), Barker is encouraging other photographers to follow his example.

“It had such an impact on me, but you can also help tell these stories through photography,” he says. “There is so much to learn.”

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