It goes without saying that the two boys to the left are my world -- they are the reasons for pretty much everything I do. Thankfully, they have been very understanding (as much as a four- and six-year-old can be) this year as I made a leap back into doing something for me. I officially started Harmon Weston Photography in 2011 after getting settled in Massachusetts, but it really wasn't until 2013 that I had a grasp on what it meant to run a business and help support my family. It has been the hardest and best thing I have ever done and completely humbling to be let into the lives and families of so many of you!

So, in honor of that, I decided to do a run-through of some of my favorite images from this year. I shot more than 100 sessions in 2013, from families to newborns to maternity to high school seniors to corporate and events. My motto has always been -- "I will try anything once," and that applies to my photography as well. I remain quite sure that I am content not shooting weddings, but who knows, that could change in 2014. I love smaller events and have even found -- through working with several local businesses -- a special place for marketing/promotional photography. 

I am so excited to see where the next year will take me and HWP. I have grand plans to attend at least two intensive workshops, continue to add to my gear and stalk as many photography blogs, tutorials, forums, etc. as humanly possible. There are so many talented photographers I have come in contact with in 2013 and I can only hope to continue to learn from and grow with in the coming year! 

Please accept my sincere thanks for trusting HWP this year. I am so thankful for returning clients and can't wait to meet so many of you in the future! 

{DISCLOSURE: these photos are by no means the "best" or most technically sound images I've taken this year, but rather just some of the ones that have grabbed my attention in one way or another -- everyone has their favorites, right?!} Enjoy and Happy New Year!

Ahhh... Florida. St. Petersburg, to be exact. I think it's where I will always feel the most comfortable. While our family of four has now lived in beautiful West Newbury, Mass., for the past three years, Florida will always have my heart. It's where I met my husband, it's where we bought our first house and it's where I gave birth to our two boys. It's where the roads are labeled in a grid pattern rather than where the horses used to roam. (Three years later and I still use my GPS to go almost anywhere!) It's where my parents, as well as some of my best (and lifelong) friends still live. For lack of a better word -- it's home!

In the three years we've been away, we have traveled back home at least twice per year. I feel so fortunate to get to visit my friends and family this often, but it always feels like such a quick trip. We're typically running around trying to make sure we see each and every person, visit our (still) home church at least once and work in some time on the beach. It often leaves us feeling exhausted. This time, however, was a bit different. Rather than run myself ragged, the boys and I (D had to stay behind to work, but joined us on the last few days) bunked with my parents, enjoyed the beach, our friends' pools and boats and just soaked up the sun! Oh, and I worked -- a LOT!

Because our trips had always been on the shorter side, I felt like I was slighting my own family if I stole away to shoot sessions with my friends' families. But this time, I made it a priority. And I enjoyed every minute of it. 

I started with the Pincus family on Saturday morning. I have known Loren (dad) since middle school and we have remained the greatest of friends since. It also helps that he married an amazing girl who I love just as much. Ali has definitely played a part in helping me get acclimated to New England, as she lived in CT and Boston before moving to FL. 

Billy (dad -- again) is my husband's very best friend. To put the two side-by-side, you would never think they're a match. Billy is a practical-thinking engineer, where my husband is a never-stops-talking mutual fund salesman. But they both love music and love to laugh (and have beautiful brunette wives - hehe!). For the five years post-marriage and pre-move to Mass., we lived on the same street as the Tinleys, shared a church family and supported each other through the breaking up of a band (yep, that was me), the births of our children and eventually a very tough good-bye. 

Alison (mom) is one of my very best girlfriends. There are five of us who have known each other since we were about 10 and stayed best friends ever since. The awkwardness of middle school, the awesomeness of high school, the challenges of college, finding jobs and husbands and the sheer joy of becoming moms. We've been through it all and I know I speak for all of us when I say how blessed we feel to have each other in our lives 20+ years later. So, needless to say, I was so happy to finally get to photograph Alison's family. I have known her husband  -- who built that wacky crooked house in their backyard -- since high school too!  

Another one of the Fabulous Five, Sara (mom) is another one of my very best friends. She and Alison are lucky enough to live five minutes down the road from each other... Maybe one of these days, the five of us will take up an entire cul-de-sac with our families! Probably not going to happen, but a girl can dream, right?! I love this girl to pieces, along with her wonderful (very-similar-to-mine) husband and their two super-cute kiddos!

Until next time, St. Petersburg... (Go Rays!!)

The timing couldn't be better... It's as if I was waiting for that PERFECT session to launch my blog so that the first post would be meaningful and not only reflect who I am as a photographer, but more importantly, as a person. The beauty of it was, these two events just happened to coincide: a session with a very special family and putting the finishing touches on my website and blog. 

Meet the Wagner family: I have known Susan through the Newburyport Mother's Club for a while now, but it wasn't until the day she posted one very profane word to her Facebook page that I REALLY got to know her. That day, Susan was reacting to her husband's diagnosis with colorectal cancer. I couldn't picture Susan using that word - ever - but I immediately fell in love with her the day she did. She and her family are, as she describes, an open book. Her emotions were raw and real and I knew I just had to convince her to let me capture photos of them.

Turns out, it didn't take much convincing. In Susan's words: Family pictures are important in the best of times, and at the onset of a serious illness they become so much more. She wanted photos and so many people wanted to help make it a special occasion for Susan, Steve and their two beautiful little girls.

So I, along with a slew of Susan's friends and a couple of very helpful local businesses, went to work. Lively Kids, in Newburyport, outfitted the girls in the most adorable dresses and accessories. The Fashion Bus Stop, in Amesbury, helped Susan with her wardrobe, and John Farley Clothiers, in Newburyport, dressed Steve from head to toe. The day of the shoot, Interlocks Salon and Day Spa, pampered all four Wagners with hair and makeup. After all was said and done, the wonderful folks at Anchor Stone Deck Pizza treated the family to lunch!

It had shaped up to be exactly as I envisioned. A relaxed family, a beautiful day, wonderful memories... 

They have thanked me numerous times, but I don't think the Wagners know how grateful I am to them for allowing me to play this role at such a vulnerable time in their lives. They are in for a long road with Steve's diagnosis and treatment, but Susan and the girls are so incredibly strong and awesomely in love with Steve, I know they will make it through this. I pray every day for Susan's continued strength and great attitude. Steve -- I know you already know this, but you are surrounded by three very special girls in your life!

Thank you again to everyone who helped make this week special for the Wagner family. I hope I did you proud with the end results! Till the next time, Wagner family, keep loving and keep fighting!