Meet Maxine, who came to me as a part of the 40 over 40 campaign, but also to help her get some great personal branding portraits. Max was heavily pregnant at the time of her portrait session, but didn’t want this to show in the majority of her branding images. So we had loads of fun with posing, lighting and getting creative to draw attention away from the beautiful baby bump. Maxine has a whole list of different businesses, and a even longer list of businesses she wants to start – so another super fun and exciting part of this session was not only getting her portraits for each of her businesses, but getting images that represent all her businesses. It’s safe to say this portrait session was a load of fun!

I sold EVERYTING I owned at 34 and relocated back to JHB in 2017 determined to change my life. I had been retrenched 3 times in 3 years working in all sorts of jobs and decided it was worth a bash at starting my own thing. I had reached the ceiling in my career where companies were hiring juniors at affordable salaries and outsourcing major marketing campaigns. The market had changed, and I needed to adapt.

I exited the rat race and became a minimalist, capsule wardobe, alternative living kind of person. I became more aligned to my spirituality, started running and yoga and more importantly left the world of consumerism and looked inward to what made me tick.

This is when I met my Zulu fiance, who was younger, and in touch with a cultural side of life that intrigued me. We proceeded to start a family while I got my business off the ground. I am now a work form home Mom of 4 with a huge business vision and will stop at nothing to reach my dreams.

Wokhule Living [of good living] was born and is part of my big dream. Wonder Works Hub is my plan to get there! I am a woman with a plan and aim to teach my children how to live a life by design.

What drew you to this 40 over 40 campaign?

I turned 40 in October 2023 and I have been on a personal life transformation journey over the last year. I set a personal goal to transform my life by 40. 40 is a significant number in my life. I follow 40 days of lent, and embark on personal 40 day challenges for myself every year. When I saw this campaign I knew it was aligned to my life. But even more so, I knew that if Tamryn was behind the camera, something amazing would transpire. There is just something special about reaching my 40s, as if life is finally landing and I want to document this pivot moment in my life.

If you could go back and tell your 20 year old self something that you think would change your life, what would it be?

I would have told myself to rather complete my Fine Art degree rather than pursuing a life or earning rather than learning. It was easy to to climb the corporate ladder until the corporate world could no longer exploit my expertise.

What are you post proud of yourself for?

Facing my fears of having children later on in life. Having the guts to go through with 4 pregnancies bordering my 40s.

Bearing the gifts of these 4 beautiful blessings are by far my most proudest moments. My first born being 21, 2nd born is 2years old, 3rd in line is 1 years old and currently pregnant with what I hope is my 4th and final child is not for the feint of heart. I am proud of myself for facing the challenge.

Motherhood isn’t limited to bearing children, its embracing the responsibility of providing for them, physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc nourishing their spirits with love, and experiences.

Preparing a future for them and a place to live their life safely and freely. Connecting them to each other and creating the space for them to create their own community. Preparing them with the tools to navigate this world from within themselves.

What are some goals or things you still want to do?

Everything. Life is worth living.

“Always believe something wonderful is about to happen. “

Has there/is there anyone in your life who has made a massive impact, if so, how?

Yes. Gary Cohen a previous boss was a huge mentor to me in my formative career. He taught me the truth of what was going on in the business world.

My friends and family describe me as:

Brave & determined

Thoughts on aging?

As each year passes by, the knowledge and experience we gain is what takes us forward. Staying young at heart and growing old with wisdom is a beautiful thing.

What do you think some of your best qualities are?

How real I am.

What advice do you have for other women 40+ out there?

Be you. Its the best thing you can do for yourself and everyone else out there, including your children.

What has gotten easier for you since turning 40?

I am taken more seriously. I look young for my age and unfortunately the world judges you on your age. Although I still look young, I am old enough.

I aim to reveal all parts of myself to the world, and not just a selective side. This will be done through the stories I share and in the way I show up in the world.

I have many roles in this world. Me, mother, makoti, entrepreneur. I am a sister and daughter, I am a leader and a creative. A listener and a lover. Anyone who crosses my path through friendship, fellowship or relationship will either share their time or parts of their life with me. But I remain me, I enter this world alone and leave this world alone. I am an expression of my maker and wish to fulfill my purpose with the time I have on this earth. And I wish to leave parts of myself with the people I encounter.

My current role as a Mother means that it is my responsibility to teach my children to show up for themselves. I do that by showing up for myself, and showing them how to live a life filled with purpose and determination. I lead them by example and encourage them with my experiences.

Click on images to be taken to their blogs

📍Johannesburg, South Africa 

Do Maxine’s 40 over 40 campaign portraits look like something you might want for yourself too?

Are you interested in spending a day in studio having your dream portraits created, laughing and celebrating you, then you need to fill out this form!