It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. In that case, what’s the story being told by photos of older adults in the media or advertising that seem to only portray the aging as sad, lonely, confused or even silly? Such portraits only work to perpetuate out-of-date stereotypes and foster ageism.

To fight these negative images and help promote a more realistic understanding of what today’s older adults are like, Getty Images, in collaboration with AARP, has launched the Disrupt Aging Collection. In case you’re not aware, Getty is one of the main repositories of photo images that are licensed for use in commercial enterprises and media stories. Their influence is enormous on the way older adults are portrayed in various media outlets and marketing campaigns. The goal of this new image collection is to try to change the conversation and conveyance of what it’s like to age in today’s world. So put on your best smile and read more about this collaboration here.

Along the same lines, you may want to check out the photo images of Herb Bardavid, a New York-based photographer and social worker, who has undertaken a year-long project called “Getting Old and Getting Out.” Through his photography, Mr. Bardavid is attempting to illuminate the still-vibrant lives of aging adults in New York City who remain invisible to many but are in fact still active members of their communities. Not only does he present their images but he describes their active lives and gives each the opportunity to present their stories in their own words. To view the lively New Yorkers portrayed by Mr. Bardavid, click here.