[Finally] Family Photos

This year I finally decided to stop procrastinating and as Nike’s slogan says, “just do it.” The “it” I am referring to is booking a professional family photo shoot.

I’ve had good reasons to not getting around to it- a pandemic, health issues, unforeseen difficulties, the cost and the busyness of Canadian autumn. However; if I were to be completely transparent, I’ve hesitated as I’m insecure about my body at this stage in my life. Admittedly I have to acknowledge I am not plus-size and don’t navigate life in a world and society that is fat phobic towards me. I have spent much of my adult life as a slender hourglass curvaceous woman and now would say I’m more midsize which is equal parts thin and thick. I actually find this body type quite sexy and feminine in others, but have a hard time accepting and appreciating it in myself. Anxiety, medication for anxiety, chronic health conditions, eating disorder recovery, hands-on motherhood… etc, has taken a toll on my body. Of course, these aren’t excuses to neglect and fail to prioritize my health and in fact makes it all the more important to fill my cup as I’m a caregiver, provider and homemaker. Yet, the struggle is real. I can’t workout one-and a-half hours after work like I did before kids and even more when I was a personal trainer. There will be a day where my lifestyle will once again have more flexibility. In the meantime, I need to be compassionate, kind and gracious to myself while simultaneously putting the work in. Going in front of the camera was nerve wracking, yet my children won’t look back on these photos and fret if mom was a size 6 or 10. What they will miss is if we didn’t capture this snapshot in time.

When a local photographer, Nataal had a last minute-opening for a late October shoot, I swallowed any reservation and immediately hired her. She instantly put me at ease and I am so grateful I didn’t let fear hold be back any longer as these photos are something I will treasure forever. Annual photos are going to be a goal from now on.