You’re not too late.


Dear Reader,

She said, “I’m 65, and I’m not finished.”

Hell. Yes.

She booked a call after hearing me speak at a summit.

One of my AI images of me with a unicorn stirred something inside her.

My words made her feel seen.
Not just as “mom” or “grandma.”

But a woman still burning with stories.
With vision. With a voice that refuses to go quiet.

She told me, “I’ve spent decades showing up for everyone else.
Now it’s my turn.”

That part hit hard.

She saw that unicorn and thought,
“What’s my version of that?”

A call to be seen—fully and without apology.

Too many women get quietly erased.

By culture.
By age.
By their own damn self-doubt.

They think it’s too late to make noise.

To create.
To be that woman.

It’s not.
It never is.

And yes, while I speak directly to women, I am aware that there are men on this list as well.

If this hit home for you, if something stirred in your gut, you’re not excluded.

Your story matters.
Your spotlight is waiting, too.

And I’m here for every single one of you, ready to show up, shake things up, and take back your spotlight.

Let’s go.

Alpana | Brand Strategist + Photographer

P.S. Ready to book your traditional photoshoot, AI session, or brand package? >>> Reach out here <<<

P.P.S. I went a little wild with unicorn art—check out the magic HERE and tell me which one is your favorite! 🦄✨

The Secret Sauce is Your Story

Become a confident storyteller for your brand to stand out and sell more. I'm a Visual Brand Coach and Award-Winning Photographer (featured in NY Times, Instagram, Apple). I help badass women entrepreneurs own their stories, showcase their uniqueness, and create brands that are downright magical. Ready to make your brand sizzle? Get your hands on my free brand guide packed with five essential ingredients to create an unforgettable brand experience.

Read more from The Secret Sauce is Your Story

Hey Reader, On Monday, I ran the Vision Board Workshop. People came with different starting points. Some had a word, some didn't. By the end of the workshop, everyone had one.And a plan for getting their board done—which I walked them through in Canva Focus. Elevate. Progression. Intuition. Audacious. Phoenix. Nourish. Freedom. Here's what Ashwini, a new connection through LinkedIn, said afterward: This is a wonderful exercise. Alpana, you are so genuine and smart. I am happy to pay more and...

AI-generated portrait of Alpana—an example of my ReImagined portrait work

Dear Reader, I wanted to pop in and say thank you for being in my world and for your support over the years. I started my photography business in 2007 after a stranger came to purchase a baby carrier from my Craigslist ad. She saw a travel photo on my mantle and asked if I'd photograph her child. She persisted after I ghosted her and became my first paid client. One of the images from that session still hangs at Palo Alto Medical Foundation—a reminder of those early days. Some of you also...

A glimpse of magic — and what’s possible.

Reader, She said, “I’m 65, and I’m not finished.” Hell yes. She’d heard me speak at a summit — and one of my AI portraits, me with a unicorn, stirred something in her. She felt seen. The power of being seen — through AI. Not as “mom” or “grandma,” but as a woman who’s lived many lives and is filled with stories — from her three degrees, two universities in different countries and four/five carreers across different industrires. She told me, “I’ve spent decades showing up for everyone else....