"Damn… That's Me" – The 40 Over 40 Portrait Experience That's Changing Lives
- Apr 17
- 5 min read
Not a Gala. A Statement.
The Factory Photography By Goldy Locks isn't throwing a gala. It's throwing a statement.
On Wednesday, April 29th, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., photographer, television personality, and rock frontwoman Goldy Locks takes over the historic Tremont Mansion just outside Nashville for a night that's less about posing and more about power.
Who Is Goldy Locks?
Goldy's story doesn't start behind the camera. It starts in front of it, at just three years old, as a child model. By eight, she'd already seen enough of the industry's darker corners to make a bold move: take control. She picked up the camera and never looked back. What started as shooting herself turned into photographing dancers, athletes, artists, and by fifteen, she was already working with established musicians.
From a record deal in Minnesota alongside pioneers of the Minneapolis sound to the chaos and glamour of Los Angeles, Goldy built her eye in rooms most people only dream about, shooting celebrities, A-list clientele, red carpets, and learning exactly how to make people look iconic. Not just good… unforgettable.
Then came Nashville. Reopening The Factory Photography by Goldy Locks, she didn't just bring Hollywood with her; she weaponized it. Country stars, album covers, editorial spreads… but something shifted. After years of working with the most famous faces in the world, Goldy realized something: Every woman deserves to feel like that.
The Birth of 40 Over 40
Goldy saw an opportunity to create a portrait series for women over 40 – a group she felt often gets overlooked by the world and by society & social media. As she puts it, "the last time she checked, she was still breathing." Instead of accepting that narrative, she brought a growing global movement straight into Nashville and made it her own.
The 40 Over 40 Portrait Experience was born, and it's anything but ordinary. This isn't a photoshoot. It's a full-blown takeover.
Women walk in one way… and walk out completely transformed. Hours of professional hair and makeup. Access to Goldy's "Dream Closet", a wild collection of gowns, heels, and statement pieces. Women are encouraged to bring their own clothing & pieces to mix and match, creating a look that's completely theirs. Favorite songs playing. Drinks flowing. Energy high. No judgment. No rules. Just a day built entirely around them.
Goldy calls it the "best day ever", and she means it.
More Than Just Photos
But underneath the glam, there's something real happening. Because every woman has a story.
Some are just stepping into who they are for the first time. Some have never done anything just for themselves. Some are mothers who have spent years taking care of everyone else, and this is finally their moment. Many have survived trauma, physical, mental, emotional, and are standing strong on the other side. Some are going through radiation or chemotherapy, facing hair loss and major life transitions, and are given a safe space to feel whole and beautiful again during that journey.
Others are celebrating transformation – massive weight loss, new beginnings, rebuilding after business loss or bankruptcy, or simply choosing to start over. For some, that confidence extends into boudoir or artistic nude sessions, created in a space built on trust, safety, and respect.
It's not just about photos. It's about reclaiming something. Every story walks in differently. Every woman leaves seen.
The Venue: Tremont Mansion
When it came time to choose a location for the gala, it had to match the energy, the beauty, and the heart behind it all. This year, Goldy chose the Tremont Mansion in Old Hickory, just outside Nashville, a place rich with history dating back to the era of Andrew Jackson. The grounds are filled with mature trees, lush foliage, and a sense of timeless elegance.
The mansion has been brought back to life by longtime Mount Juliet residents Alex Hollis & Shannon O'Neil, who have poured heart and soul into the space. They host everything from galas, corporate events, weddings, local TED Talks, and celebrations of all kinds, but what makes it special is what it's not. There are no forced vendor lists, no corporate strings attached. It's a place run purely from passion, where every event feels personal.
Tremont Mansion features:
17,500 square feet of historic elegance
Grand mansion with sweeping staircase and chandeliers
Carriage House (200–250 guest capacity)
Expansive outdoor ceremony spaces
Hydrangeas from Andrew Jackson's estate
Boxwoods sourced from Mount Vernon
The venue has hosted music videos, including "I Didn't Know" featuring Mickie James and The Lacs, and was the wedding venue for Arejay Hale and actress/stunt performer Emily Watson.
📍 Website: https://treemontmansion.com/
A Global Movement
What began as a regional project has grown into an international movement. The first gala welcomed women primarily from Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia. This year, it's gone global, with women traveling in from Florida, Minnesota, Iowa, Spain, and even Paris, France.
Women are flying across the world to be seen, celebrated, and documented at this level, and to experience Goldy's talent behind the camera.
Women bring their best friends, their children, relatives, spouses, partners, and even their pets (one woman brought a kangaroo!). Many come in groups from out of town and enjoy a night out in "Nashvegas" to continue their experience after their photoshoot.
The Glam Team
Lead makeup artist Ariel Lopez along with Belem Trevino and Lily Ketherine Sala has transformed hundreds of women, helping them see themselves in a completely new light. A team focused not just on beauty, but confidence, energy, and emotional transformation.
The Food + Storytelling Element
Each woman brings a meaningful dish presented on a decorated white plate. Dishes are photographed and paired with their personal story and recipe. Featured in Factory Photography's print-on-demand magazine: "40 Over 40 Fabulous Fare." A fusion of legacy,
culture, and storytelling through both image and food.
Giving Back: YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee
Goldy Locks is raising money for the YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee.
"This one's personal for me. For years, we haven't just supported the YWCA, we've stood beside them. We've worked with their women, photographed them, looked them in the eyes, and witnessed what real strength looks like. These are women who have been through things most people will never understand… and they're still standing, still fighting, still finding their way back."
The YWCA provides a safe place to land when life falls apart – shelter, real support, a way forward, and a chance to rebuild. A portion of portrait experience fees, gala ticket sales, and proceeds from portrait purchases go directly to helping women, particularly those leaving domestic violence situations.
Gala Event Details
Date: Wednesday, April 29
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: Tremont Mansion, Old Hickory (just outside Nashville)
The evening will feature 40 stunning, enlarged portraits displayed throughout the estate, honoring each woman's story and transformation.
The Bigger Message
This isn't about age – it's about arrival.
Women over 40 are not fading. They are stepping fully into who they are. The 40 Over 40 movement is proof that beauty, power, and relevance don't expire.
Because in Goldy's world… they don't fade. They shine.
How to Book or Attend
Book a 40 Over 40 Portrait Experience:https://thefactoryphotographybygoldy.co/
RSVP for the Gala / Art Exhibit:https://thefactoryphotographybygoldy.co/gala-art-exhibit-rsvp-26
