Why age is the least interesting thing about us! Interview with award-winning photographer, Laura Page

About Laura Page

Laura is a photographer, artist, and socially engaged creator who uses creativity as a bridge to connect communities. With a career rooted in the belief that every person has an untold story, she specialises in co-producing art that builds confidence, skills, and wellbeing.

Her latest project, 'Hidden Depths', was born from a moment of self-reflection during her working at a care home. After realising her own subconscious biases about the elderly, Laura set out to dismantle the media’s binary portrayal of ageing which often oscillates between "vulnerable and weak" or "unrealistically airbrushed."

A winner of the prestigious Rebecca Vassie Award, Laura navigated the challenges of the pandemic to capture the vibrant, complex, and "outrageous" lives of 31 individuals in their 80s and 90s. Through her lens, she advocates for a more integrated society, proving that while our bodies may change, our capacity for joy, creativity, and rebellion remains timeless.

It was through the 'Hidden Depths' Exhibition that the Pegasus Homes Marketing team were first drawn to Laura and her work, and knew she would be the right photographer to take part in our own mini exhibition of incredible residents.

We sat down with Laura to find out more.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself, your career to date and how the 'Hidden Depths' Exhibition came to be?

I’ve taken pictures since I was a child — I loved the idea of capturing one perspective of one moment. I love sharing people’s stories, especially ones which often go untold.

As well as being an artist and photographer I work as a social engaged practitioner, using creativity to co-produce work with communities and individuals, often using this work as a tool to help build skills, confidence and wellbeing. It was during some of this work at a residential home for olderpeople that I started thinking more deeply about ageism. I noticed my own prejudiced assumptions I’d had as I walked into the home and saw people staring off into space. As I got to know the group, individual, funny, outrageous, wise, and with unbelievable tales past and present, I considered the difference between my thoughts upon first meeting them and the reality of the rich lives they’ve lived.

I thought about how the media usually shows images of old people looking weak and vulnerable or fake pictures of models with professional make- up and linen suits walking on the beach. Neither of these reflected reality to me so I wanted to show a glimpse of the beautiful breadth of people in the later stages of their lives.

I applied for the Rebecca Vassie Award to develop the project and won it, so it was onwards and upwards from there on in.

The 'Hidden Depths' Exhibition highlights powerful themes around ageist stereotypes and age segregation, why was it important to you to raise awareness of this?

I sometimes hear people saying “I’m too old to do that” or “do I look too old to wear this?”. In fact I’m only in my late 40s and have been told I’m too old to still play football or wear certain things (which I ignore!)

I think that the physical changes older age can bring are difficult enough without us having to unnecessarily limit ourselves in other ways. The media often exacerbates our negative ideas of ageing and it’s bad for all of us. The UK is one of the most age-segregated countries in the world.

I believe when we mix together we are healthier. We have so much to offer and learn from one another from our different stages of life. Most of us will get old one day. I want to still be enjoying life when I get there.

What were your highlights from photographing the people in the exhibition?

I loved meeting everyone I photographed and interviewed. I’m still in touch with most of them. I’m so lucky to have spent time with them. They really inspired me and gave me an insight into what later life will be like and made me feel excited about it, for which I’ll be forever grateful.

How did you choose the people you photographed and what lessons can they teach us about ageing?

Choosing the people was difficult. The BBC ran an article just before I started the project and the next morning I went to my laptop to discover over 400 people had been in touch with me to tell me about themselves, their friends, family and neighbours and the amazing lives they were living in their 80s and 90s. It was a strange time as Covid had just hit and we were all stuck at home not knowing what was happening. It was hard but it did mean that lots of people were really keen to share their stories and show they still had more life to live and it meant I had time to look carefully into every suggestion. I tried to choose a wide cross-section of people. It was harder to reach people who are more disadvantaged in society so I spent time trying to reach those people too. I was originally going to spend a whole day with each person and photograph 15 people but Covid put a stop to that so instead I interviewed people outside
their houses and then did a quick shot inside. This meant I was able to photograph more people - 31 in the end. 

Although all the people were different they all held certain things in common — they were open-minded, creative thinkers, had friends younger than them, were still interested in learning, adopted a positive outlook and adapted to life’s difficulties. I learnt a lot from this.

As part of the exhibition workshops you do a lot of work with children and young people, why is this so important?

It’s important because the age we are at can alter our perspective, knowledge, experience, needs, roles, outlooks and how we are perceived. When we’re young we may have good physical strength, as we age we may have more wisdom. In a healthy society we can use those different strengths to work together to achieve great things. A lot of prejudices ageism brings can lead to fear, misinformation and judgement. When we understand each other and know one another, these things can dissolve and we can live in a happier, healthier community. At the end of the day, people are people.

Both on a societal level and individually, how do you think we could improve our relationship and attitudes towards ageing and older people?

I think seeing positive examples of how older people live and think can help how we view ageing and what it needs to be. I think we need to stop making negative comments and judgements on people, young or old, just because of their age. I would like to see more spaces where people of different ages mix regularly. I think things are changing for the better.

You were commissioned by Pegasus Homes to photograph our residents for our recent ‘Portraits’ campaign, were there any people and stories that stood out to you?

Yes, it’s hard to pick people out because the beauty of doing this is seeing how every single person has their individual stories and ways. Some are quieter, some are dramatic, but all fascinating.

I met artists, sporting heroes, dancers, top engineers and someone who’d worked in secret intelligence! They’re just jobs though. What struck me the most was the relationships people had at Pegasus Homes -  people still spending time with their families and friends old and new in a beautiful space.

You can see some of our wonderful Lichfield Bonds residents from this project on pages 19–22 of our Summer LifeStyle Magazine.

If there was one take away that you want people to remember from your exhibition, what would it be?

Don’t let your age hold you back. Getting old doesn’t have to be something scary. We don’t need to wish or pretend to be young forever. There will no doubt be happiness, joy, difficulties and pain along the way. Everything changes and, if we’re lucky, we’ll get old. We’ve got to try to enjoy it all as best as we can.

Pegasus Homes: Proud Sponsors of the 'Hidden Depths' Exhibition

You can view Laura’s work for yourself at the 'Hidden Depths' Exhibition in Lichfield Cathedral in July. Laura presents a series of photographic portraits and stories of people from across the UK, reimagining ageing and defying stereotypes of what it is to be older.

This free-to-attend exhibition, features over 30 portraits of older people, illustrating the rich and interesting lives they lead.

You can follow Laura's work via her website or her Instagram @laura_page_photography