Why the Still Got It! Photo Project?
The project seeks to correct the prevalent view of older people as dependent and a drain on the economy. In fact, the present older generation is the most active and contributary in history. The stereotyping of older people underpins discrimination and prejudice which has lacked the strident advocacy that has contested sexism and racism in recent decades.
The project explores the vast range of activities the generation is involved in, some continuing to work, many working for reduced rates, or free and many with new occupations and interests.
With over 80 people photographed so far, doing what they do, the aim has not been to seek out celebrities, but the unrecognised. Celebs are the exceptions and the project seeks to illustrate a rule. Some are, or have been, prominent in their fields, but most have received little or no recognition for what they do.
Until now…
My Story
When I retired, I decided to become a freelance photographer with the emphasis on free. I work almost exclusively for non-profit organisations and charities to provide photographic services they could not otherwise afford. Probably like you, I accepted various kinds of discrimination and prejudice based on age and regarded it as somehow "normal". So, I suspect, did those suffering from sexism, racism and other forms of discrimination until they decided to do something about it. But what to do?
Militancy is not in our style - we don't disrupt, obstruct, march, or wave placards. Better I felt to try to correct the underlying causes of ageism: the high profile of what we depend on in older age and the low profile of all we continue to contribute to the economy and to society. In fact we are the healthiest, most active and contributary older age-group in history. So let's go out and show it!
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Mike Longhurst FRPS