Nancy and Jonathan: Through Thick and Thin

There is a lot to talk about in this post, so let's get right to it.
First of all, this is not Nancy and Jonathan's first rodeo in front of my camera.

(First rodeo found here: Peter's Field. Westmount, Cape Breton. May 2011 )

That first photo session was actually what inspired this one. It was because of that day that we decided to return to Peter's Field in September of 2019 for a bit of an update because a lot of things have changed for these two since then.

Starting with 240 pounds worth of change.

Yup. that's what I said. At one hundred pounds and one hundred forty pounds lighter respectively, Jonathan and Nancy greeted me that day, and I am absolutely in awe of the work and dedication these two have put into accomplishing what most people would hail as impossible.

You can follow their collective weight-loss

journey via their Instagram accounts: @this_caper_is_shrinking and @blinkaholic and I'm telling you, nothing will get you more motivated than the good, the bad, and the ugly that these two share.

Rodeo number two (found here) was still in 2011 and still in Cape Breton, but took this couple to a whole new level. Jonathan had popped the question and we all hung out with my camera at Wentworth Park for an engagement shoot that was absolutely dripping with fun.

Which brings us to our third rodeo in June of 2012: the wedding.

And naturally, rodeo 4: Maddy Jo's grand entrance.

And this is a child who knows how to make an entrance grand!

Since that time, there has been another grand entrance into the family. 

Behind the inspiration to drop the weight of a full-grown panda bear, were these two:

...and that parental desire to see them grow up.

Or run away.

Suppose we should go catch them...

There we go.

One of my very favourites of the day.

There was also this little camera roll: a tiny story in itself.

These kids though!!!

It took a lot of photoshop to get all four family members looking up, but it's all part and parcel of shooting families and multiple kids, and here they are, no harm done!

Another location, this one chosen by Maddy.

I. Flippin'. LOVE. THIS.

Little candid while moving on...

...and fulfilling a promise that we could take pictures of Baby if she just smiled for the family shot.

Yes, that is a legit Cabbage Patch Doll, quite like the one I carried around when I was that age over 30 years ago.

 I think these pretty much sum up how that Mom life looks to those of us on the outside of it.

Family time.

By now the kids were getting tired. It had been a long morning.

So they settled out on a blanket on the grass. 

Kind of.

 While Mom and Dad and I did this...

Until Maddy noticed.

Resulting in one of my very favourite portraits I have ever taken.

Alright, let's pick up the kids for another romp! 

Through all the rodeos.

Through all the thick and thin.