Happy Monday everyone! I am so excited to introduce this weeks “Meet a Mom”, Meri Hannon of Meri Lee Photography. Meri is a Boston Motherhood and Family photographer specializing in motherhood and family legacies. She recently won “Best of South Shore” for Newborn Photographer. On top of being an incredible photographer, she is a mom to five kids and currently lives in Weymouth. Keep reading below to learn more about this “supermom”!
Where are you from originally?
Born and raised in South Weymouth. I”m now raising my family in the house my parents built and I grew up in!
Tell us about your family! How many kids, names/ages:
Buckle up because I always get wide eyes when I start listing off my kids 🙂 When I met my husband Eric in 2008, he had a 3 year old daughter. It’s wild to think I was 20 years old when I met her and now she’s 20 years old. We have 5 kids Aurora 20, Jackson almost 13, Benjamin 8, Hazel almost 6 and Quinn 3. We also have Lulu our mini goldendoodle, Winnie the bunny & chickens!
How did you start your business?
I’ve always had a passion for photography and loved being able to freeze moments for them to live on forever. In 2013 when my son was about to turn one and he was napping on me I sat there and wrote my first plan to start the business. It took me 9 more years to actually set my fears aside and chase my dreams! I found a mentor, took as many online classes I could find and hit the ground running! It’s crazy to think this fall will be 3 years since I started the business!
Where do you now call home and how long have you lived there?
I’m still living in South Weymouth in the same house I grew up in. This is so special to share with my children as they also go to the schools I went to and have even had some of the same teachers!
What is your favorite part about living on the South Shore?
The South Shore is such an incredible place to be raising a family. I love being close enough to get into the city and live near so many beaches. The beach is my happy place and I love to be able to pack up and take a trip to soak in the salty air!
What family activity do you enjoy most?
We love family game nights, enjoying time in our backyard swimming in the pool and exploring new playgrounds.
What is your favorite part about the work you do?
Preserving memories that become family legacies and meeting clients that become a part of my world! I hope to grow with each family and become an extension of their family. It’s so special to be invited back into their family to make that moment in time a moment they will have forever.
Are you involved with any non-profits or do any volunteering?
Yes, I’m a member of South Shore Women Gather for Good. This is run by a South Shore mother and daughter. They’ve created this amazing community of women who collectively raise money for a non-profit each quarter. We have meetups that you get to hear from the non-profits who are nominated and each quarter one of those nonprofits is awarded the funds to help them grow. I highly recommend checking out the website and reading more about the mission.h
What do you find to be the toughest part about being a working mom?
Hands down the guilt of leaving the kids when they’re home, especially my 3 year old. She was 5 months old when I started the business so all the other kids had me home 24/7 and that guilt of having to leave never goes away.
What is the best advice you have received as a mom?
It might be cliché but when the pediatrician told me with my first, “The days are long but the years are short.” When you’re in the trenches of newborn & toddlerhood there were times when I would be like I can wait until they can sit up, walk, go potty themselves but man do the years fly and all of a sudden you have a teenager that would rather hang with friends. Moral of the story: enjoy every stage and moment with your children.
What is your best advice for a new mom?
Take the help when someone offers! I remember wanting to do it all and with my 3rd I realized those postpartum months need to be recovery and connection with your baby. If your family and friends offer to cook, clean and grocery shop LET THEM! I also highly recommend finding a local moms group, you’ll meet other moms going through the same stage of life and make friends that feel like family!
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
When I tell people that I always wanted 7 children and that since I was 16 years old I wanted to be a foster parent one day. This past year I started the process to be an approved family.
Is there a Quote or mantra you live by?
‘The days are long but the years are short.” When I’m having a tough day, I’ll say this to myself to remember to slow down and enjoy the moments.
Your go-to Pandora/Spotify/Apple Music station?
There’s nothing better than jamming out to Spotify- Feel Good Saturday mix on the weekends while cooking breakfast for the kids.
Your favorite local spot for: date night, coffee break, workout, new outfit, self-care, “me time”?
My favorite local spot to sneak away to and get work down is Revive& Co Juice + Kitchen in Weymouth. I highly recommend the PB cup smoothie.
Anything else you’d love to share?
I’ll leave you with this. You’re doing a great job mama! Make the memories, be in the pictures and cherish the moments. In the end memories and photos are all we have left.
Check out Meri’s beautiful work on her website and learn more about her services that she offers. Please also check out her Instagram Page
