Meredith Searcy Staton Photography

Weekly Photo challenge

Every Monday i am going to be posting my photos from my photo challenge for the past week along with a list for the next weeks photo challenge... If you would like to play along comment on the blog post for next week with a link to your 7 photos and someone will win a fun prize each week :)

Monday- Your View Today
up before sunrise but was able to enjoy Gods Creation a little longer Monday morning.

Tuesday - Words
My Scripture for today.. It was just the reminder i needed that even Jesus needed to take away time from everything just to be with the Lord.

Wednesday - hands

Worked on a beautiful boudoir session for this lovely ladies future husband. What an amazing Classy unexpected gift she can give her husband on their wedding day.

Thursday - A stranger

Ugggh... Rain Go away ... my Tennis Shoes have been a stranger to me ... I want to start walking again.

Friday- 10 AM
Working on my operations manual this morning... Lots of Caffeine needed and a Lilly Phi Mu Cup to boot :)

Saturday- Dinner
Not quite the Date night i had planned on... had to come home early because of the snow... but i got to see the snow!!!!

Sunday - A button
Love these buttons i found on this vintage pink suit a couple of weeks ago. So excited about a few vintage stylized sessions once it warms up a bit :)

Next weeks photo challenge
Monday - Sun
Tuesday - Front Door
Wednesday- Self Portrait
Thursday- Makes you happy
Friday- Inside your closet
Saturday - Blue
Sunday - Heart

Giveaway instructions take a photo every day, include the category, be creative. Everyone who completes all 7 images will be entered in a drawing to win a $10 print credit with Meredith Staton Photography, and the best image (chosen by Meredith) will also win a $10 print credit. Comment on next weeks blog post by Monday night at midnight and winners will be announced on Tuesday :)

Words of Encouragement: Mark 8:34-35

When he had called the people to himself, with his disciples also, he said to them, whoever desires to come after me let him take up his cross and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospels, will find it.
Mark 8:34-35

When Mark wrote this passage of scripture he was originally talking to the Romans and they understood what taking up a cross meant. Death on a cross was a way that dangerous criminals were executed in that time in Rome. A prisoner was required to carry his own cross to the place where he would be hung on it to signify Rome's Power. Jesus uses this idea of carrying ones cross to symbolize the total submission that he requires of his followers. Jesus does not want us to have a miserable life. In fact he wants us to have life, and life to the fullest, neither is he saying that we should seek pain needlessly for his sake. Paul was talking about making an effort daily and in each moment to do his will even when the future does not look the way you want it to. Jesus was telling the Roman citizens that following him would not be easy. We should be willing to lose our lives for the sake of the gospel not because our lives are useless but because nothing- not even life itself can compare to what we gain with Christ. And as Christians living in the United States, most of the time we wont even be asked to do the "hard stuff" ... We wont ever be asked to die for Jesus, or live in the third world countries for his ministry, but Paul says we will have to make sacrifices and we will have to lay down our lives in a sense that we may not live by our goals, and our desires, and our choosing. Jesus wants us to make a conscious choice to follow him every day, rather than lead a life of sin and self satisfaction He wants us to stop trying to control our own lives and allow him to direct us. This makes perfect sense because he is the creator, The Lord knows better than we do what real life is about, all he asks for is our submission, not self hatred, he only asks us to loose our self centered determination to be in charge.

If The Lord cares for the animals and the rest of the earth and they are always provided for, how much more would he do for the people he loves, are made in his image, and sent his only son to the earth to die for.

All he's asking is that we give up the control of our own lives and allow him to control our path. He will bless us far more than we will ever expect if we will just let go of our lives and surrender them to him.

A Good Little Laugh ....

We all need a good laugh every once in a while.... and if you guys know me at all you know i love tractors and ANYTHING PINK ... so this made me giggle... Gotta Love Comedian Tim Hawkins

Happy Sunday Everyone !

Words of Encouragement 1 Corinthians 1:25

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom and the strength of God is stronger than mans strength.
1 Corinthians 1:25

A lot of people don't think that Jesus was real, Jesus was one of three things he was either a Lunatic a Lie, or Lord. A lot of people would agree that he was either Crazy or he didn't even exist because the things of God seem simply foolish to them. Even as Christians Gods ways can seem strange or crazy to us, but his ways are not our ways and his timing is not our timing and so we have to remember that even when the Lords ways do not make sense that that his ways are far wiser than our ways. Even in his death many people find weakness in Jesus, but Jesus didn't stay dead, and by this he demonstrated his power as fully God over death. His resurrection sounds like a fairy-tale to many, and many of these people try to work their way to a god because the simpleness of the gospel is too easy to be true. To just admit that you have sinned, have faith and believe in Jesus as your Lord, confess and repent of your sins, and surrender your life to him, sounds to easy and that there must be a catch to many. But God is so much wiser than we are. God is so much stronger than we are. If we will only ask him, he can do infinitely more with our time, our money, our relationships and our lives and he will bless us tremendously along the way if we will just trust him as God in our lives and turn our lives over to him and trust that his wisdom and strength are far greater than ours.

Weekend Plans: Greenville, SC

Date Night!!! Its amazing what a date night can do for your relationship and i am so glad my husband continues to date me even after we are married :) I have been like a high school girl getting ready for her first date this week waiting on the night when she finally gets to go out with her crush :) I am so looking forward to our night out in Greenville even though i have absolutely no idea what he has up his sleeve :)

AND I get to meet a pretty amazing couple who's wedding I will be shooting in June for their Engagement session today at Falls Park. So all around ... I would say ... Pretty amazing Day ahead in my book.

If you have never been to falls park it is a beautiful place for a picnic or to read and relax or take a stroll with a good friend or someone you love. The beautiful suspended bridge over the rocky falls of the Reedy river are spectacular.

Its actually where my husband and I had several date nights

and then where proposed to me 5 years ago last week,

and where I had my bridal pictures taken so i may be just a little bit biased ;)

Words of Encouragement - Titus 2:1

You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Titus 2:1

In our world today there are so many different "teachings" so many different things that sound good. There are "so many ways to get to God," but I truly believe that faith in Jesus Christ and complete surrender of your life to him is the Only way. You have to be so careful to know what is true and what is not truth.Paul writes Titus from Prison and tells him that he must teach the people only what is sound biblical truth. Paul knew the importance of the truth, even if it meant being arrested or even killed. The only way to know what is true is to study the scriptures for yourself. There are so many things out there and the only way to know if they are true is to hold them up against Gods standard, the word of God, the bible. As Christians we need to study and know the scriptures for a couple of different reasons. First of all because it is an encouragement to our daily lives and brings us closer to the Lord. Secondly because It will help us decide what is true and what is false that is being taught around us and to fend off false teachers, and thirdly it will make sure that like Paul warned against that when we tell others what we know about the Lord and his scripture that what we tell is truth. When teaching is sound it combines correct knowledge and understanding with consistent practice.

To be sound doctrine it must be found in the bible, keep Jesus Christ Central, result in good behavior and actions, and promote spiritual health in ourselves and others.

As Christians we have to be solidly grounded in the truth of the bible. so that we wont be swayed by all the lies out there or the pull of our emotions either.

As we go about our lives we need to be aware of what is being said around us, compare it to God word, and only live by the truth the Lord has set before us.

Locations: Carl Sandburg

Finding Locations can be a really difficult thing for clients when planning a photography session, and for years i had been very careful of who i shared my list of locations with, but recently I came to realize that its not the location, its the photographer who makes the images different, and I have found some amazing locations in Western North Carolina over the years and why not share that with people who are looking for locations in the area as well as other photographers. On Fridays I will be choosing a location that I have shot sessions at and sharing a little bit about the location, images from sessions and tips and tricks about the location :) Check back each Friday for a new and exciting place to shoot.

Carl Sandburg Home- Flat Rock, NC

This weeks location is one of my absolute favorite places to shoot. The Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock, NC , also known as Conemara, is a 245 acre farm with history that dates back before the Civil War. The home was originally a large and extravagant Southern estate, as one of many that was built in the 1850s in Flat Rock as wealthy Charlestonians settled in the cool mountain area to avoid the heat of the low country of South Carolina.

The Home was purchased by the well know poet Carl Sandburg in 1908, and Sandburg's mother turned the rolling acreage into a working Dairy farm for her prize winning goats :)

Tips for Sessions at Carl Sandburg:
* Allow plenty of time
*Bring Comfortable shoes to walk in ( and you can change before your poses)
*Bring or have photographer bring a blanket with something waterproof to set underneath as the ground can very often be wet and muddy.
*Shoot other locations before heading to the barn as the goats grab the kiddos attention and they want to stay with the goats as long as possible.
*Explore other locations and have fun :)

Due to the number of buildings on the property and the expansive views It makes for a great location for photography sessions.

One of my absolute favorite locations to shoot is around the lake at the bottom of the property. There are a couple of bridges and a walking trail that circles the lake. The bridges are a great location that give photographers a number of options for posing even if the weather has not been great. The trail surrounding the lake is a dirt path so I always advise my clients to dress accordingly, but no matter the season the lake provides a stunning backdrop for headshots as well as for full length portraits. During the fall the colors are amazing in the trees and the reflection off of the water is a backdrop that has a hard time being beat.

A great plus to Carl Sandburg is the options of locations around the lake. An entire hour session can be shot without having to make the climb to the house and the barn.

The field just above the lake provides a great backdrop for large groups or for a more rustic/natural look. Just a tip, watch for holes :) There are some great solid locations but after a good rain the ground here can be really saturated and soft. There are spots that clients can find footing but i always find the spot for the clients before having them come up the hill. Just for their safety.

For those who want to make the short "Hike" up to the house many more location options that open up. The House and grounds has beautiful white split rail gates and wire fences that offer a great backdrop and even a prop during a session.

Once your at the top of the Hill near the house the barns offer a great location for some more rustic images.

There is a beautiful red fence around the barn that adds a pop of color behind you or your clients, as well as that rustic vintage feel. The barns also provide this same amazing color in a more clapboard background.

One of my favorite locations near the barn is (as one of my client's sweet little girl called it) "The Gate to no where" There is a white picket gate with stone on either side. The gate opens up into a garden behind but the tree steps in front offer a great location for intimate seated portraits of a family or a couple. The Gate also makes a great backdrop for a close up image of a bride to be's Engagement Ring.

Inside the Barn Gates The Chicken coop and stone Silo as well as well as the expansive view make for even more great backdrops.

Just be careful ... because the Goats will want to jump in a photo or two :)

if you are looking for a great day out location too Carl Sandburg is a great place for a day out with family as well.. There are many hiking trails, tours of the house, and picnic facilities, and of course the goats to pet.

visit their website for more information on the house and grounds.

To book a session with Meredith Searcy Staton Photography at Carl Sandburg home email us today:)