The ageing process is a scary thing for most of us. Any sign of a wrinkle or line will swiftly be followed with incessant Googling of the latest beauty treatments designed to act as the elixir of youth.

German photographer Karsten Thormaehlen sees beauty somewhat differently. He set out across the globe to capture people who have made it to the age of 100 and are living their lives to the full.

Travelling everywhere from Japan to New York, he identified 52 centenarians, shooting them in all their natural glory. The resulting photo series has been published in a book, Aging Gracefully, which features Thormaehlen’s minimalist portraits alongside insightful quotes on everything from love to growing old.

See some of the subjects who are embracing old age.

Meet the 61-year-old proving age doesn’t have to be a boundary to beauty

The age-defying women switching on the sex appeal on the red carpet