PHOTOS: Men Over 50, 3rd Edition

Husbands Tommy Wu and Alan Reade started tommy+alan photography in 2009, and Men Over 50 is their flagship project.

The Advocate: How long has the project been running?
Tommy Wu: The project started informally in 2009 when I took a few photos of older men at the gym who I thought bucked the stereotype of being "inactive and elderly." These men were fit for guys in their 30s, not just for men their mature years! I didn't know the photos would turn into a project, but then I started having models approach me as well as approaching other models.

Any plan for the project down the line?
Alan Reade: If there's enough demand, we'd like to turn these photos into a book. We have the interviews on audio that would make good narration for the photos.

Until this point, what's your experience shooting and interviewing these Men Over 50?
Alan Reade: The men often reveal things about themselves we don't expect. Some have had serious brushes with illness, for instance, and used fitness as a way to get back on top of their health. People may look at some of these guys and think It's so easy to just look good, but if you listen to the interviews, you'll hear that the "looking good" is one part of these men's plans for longevity beyond 50.

Tommy Wu: And the project hits closer to home for me now because I turned 50 last December! I can relate even more to a lot of what these men say about their strategies for staying healthy in so-called middle age.

Alan Reade: One secret to staying younger is to have a younger husband, of course.

Tommy Wu: You'll be 50 in less than three years!

Alan Reade: Oh, yeah.

See Volume One and Volume Two of Tommy +Alan's Men Over 50. Interested in modelling for Tommy+Alan? Follow their instructions: "To be part of our project, please email us one or two clear and recent photos that contain the following: your face and your shirtless torso. Please pass this link on to anyone who might be interested!"

jT, Age 51, Retired

jT, Age 51, Retired

jT, Age 51, Retired

jT, Age 51, Retired

jT, 51, retired

jT, 51, retired

Carlos, 54, Spanish instructor

Carlos, 54, Spanish instructor

Carlos, 54, Spanish instructor

Carlos, 54, Spanish instructor

Felix, 50, dancer and fitness instructor

Felix, 50, dancer and fitness instructor

Felix, 50, dancer and fitness instructor

Felix, 50, dancer and fitness instructor

Felix, 50, dancer and fitness instructor

Felix, 50, dancer and fitness instructor

Joe S., 62, writer

Joe S., 62, writer

Joe S., 62, writer

Joe S., 62, writer

Alan J., 71, performer

Alan J., 71, performer

Alan J., 71, performer

Alan J., 71, performer

Justin B., 50, trainer

Justin B., 50, trainer

Justin B., 50, trainer

Justin B., 50, trainer

Justin B., 50, trainer

Dan G., 52, casting director

Dan G., 52, casting director

Dan G., 52, casting director

Dan G., 52, casting director

Dan G., 52, casting director

Jerry, 62, artist

Jerry, 62, artist

Jerry, 62, artist

Jerry, 62, artist

Jerry, 62, artist

Richard Z., 54, hair stylist

Richard Z., 54, hair stylist

Richard Z., 54, hair stylist

Richard Z., 54, hair stylist

Richard Z., 54, hair stylist

Marcus, 66, artist

Marcus, 66, artist

Marcus, 66, artist

Marcus, 66, artist

Marcus, 66, artist