”We are the hear nothing, see nothing, say nothing group,” Kahli Peters says.(Supplied: Giselle Peters)

Can you be female, over-55 and beautiful? Of course you can.

That’s the message from two Sunshine Coast photographers who are capturing candid portraits of older women in an effort to explore the idea that females in that demographic become invisible.

”To a certain extent in the society we live in, women [in that age group] are invisible,” Giselle Peters the co-founder of the Beautiful Boilers project said.

“They disappear from the media and we worship youth and beauty.”Peters’ mother Kahli was the initial inspiration for the project, but an article by columnist Jane Caro was the catalyst for a ”call out” for models over 55 on social media.

She later teamed up with former London-based photographer Phill Jackson – whose portfolio includes the Queen, chat-show legend Michael Parkinson and various A-list actors.

The response from hundreds of women hungry to take part exceeded their expectations and soon there was a stream of willing participants in project.

Do you feel invisible?

Woman with spiky grey hair, sunglasses, teal jacket, hands clasped and looking off to the distance.

“I could walk down the street with my clothes on inside out and no-one would notice. In fact, I did that,” Jan Robinson says.(Supplied: Giselle Peters)

Women from as far as Byron Bay and south-east Queensland have so far stood before Jackson or Peters.

Ms Peters said it had been a moving experience.

“In our society we’re all educated and trained to ogle beauty, but when you take lots and lots of photographs you see beyond that and you look for people’s mannerisms and who they are and who their character is as well,” she said.

Older woman with grey hair, vibrant red hat, top and glasses, rainbow coloured eyeshadow. Eyes closed and ‘kiss’ mouth.

“Wrinkles are a symbol of all life and wisdom. Especially in my neck.” Cherryl ‘Cherry’ Bright from The Cherry Ripes.(Supplied: Giselle Peters)
“You wear your life on your face, you wear your hardship, you wear your joy and that is really beautiful, fascinating and interesting.”

As part of the shoot, the pair also asked women about ageing and how they felt about the notion of being invisible.

“Some women were just adamant ‘no I’m not’,” Ms Peters said.

Black and white full length photo of woman with long hair, no top, necklace over breast, full length skirt, worn feet.

“If people ignore me or treat me as though I’m invisible I say ‘hello! Excuse me, I’m here’,” Deirdree Faye says.(Supplied: Giselle Peters)

“One woman actually got quite upset … and she said ‘I do actually feel invisible even in my own family’.”

Ms Peters told of a vivacious 84-year-old participant. “She said to me ‘being invisible liberates you and you become free’,” Ms Peters said.

So what exactly is a woman’s ideal age?

Most said in their early 40s, Ms Peters said.

“A few of them said ‘the age I am right now’ which is amazing.”

Ms Peters said the response so far to the unique project had been positive, except for some criticism of the name.

She said one man had told her he found the name offensive. ”I thought ‘well it’s kind of meant to be’,” she said.

The pair hope to travel beyond the Sunshine Coast to photograph more women and eventually compile the portraits for an exhibition or book.

“We’d like to take it into other communities and just continue to shoot all kinds of real women from regional Queensland right into the cities.

“I think there’s a lot of wisdom, knowledge and support to be shared amongst women.”

Older woman with short hair looking at the camera, hands clasped over mouth, cheeky eyes.

“It’s up to women to make sure they are not invisible. What’s most beautiful is when a woman shares a smile, shows compassion. It’s up to us,” Eileen Walder says.(Supplied: Giselle Peters)