Savor September!

Happy September everybody! I know I’m not the only one who is excited about fall, and all the things that comes with it.  I can not believe that the Apple Festival is already behind us and that the Mountain State Fair starts this weekend.  I am looking forward to Friday night football games, the crisp cool night air, pumpkin doughnuts from Skytop, and breaking out my boots and scarves.
I am so excited about all the things that fall brings with it, but I also know that I am gearing up for my busiest fall season yet, and I realize how important being intentional is, so I decided to share my goals for September on the blog, July and  August were a little stressful on certain days and I felt overwhelmed with the emotions of excitement of all the sessions and families that I was given the privilege to create memories for, but also with all the editing that I had to accomplish.  I actually felt really guilty taking my first vacation in four years at the end of June, but as I looked back on how burnt out I was at the end of the spring season, I realized how needed it was.  I came back from vacation rested and ready to go again.  Through the time I had to reflect I realized how important it is to care for myself not only physically, spiritually, and emotionally, but also to care for my family and my relationships with them.
While August was tough , the Lord really taught me alot through it.  I have learned more about myself in the last 30 days than I have in a long time.  I have discovered more about my purpose as a child of God and how blessed that he has allowed me to do what I love.  So with all that said I am not waiting for January 1st to make a new start,  I am ready for new beginnings now. I have realized that through the Lord’s help and through planning, planning, planning.  I can truly have the most amazing fall season ever!
His mercies are new every morning. So here is to September !!!

September Goals

For my relationship with the Lord:

Study through the book of James

Read Leslie Ludy’s Book Set apart Femininity

Stormie Omartian’s Power of a Praying Wife

and Beth Moore’s Get out of that Pit

make a commitment to pray for my pastor and my church everyday this month

For my Biz:

Blog 6 days a week

Revamp my office/ studio

Work on my 12 month marketing calendar

Complete Branding and welcome packets

Complete my operations manual

For my clients:

Plan a Holiday Mini Session – (to die for!)

Scout out 2 additional fall locations

Create a communications system to help me better respond to

all the many calls, texts, emails, facebook messages, and personal inquires.

For My Husband:

Date night 2x this month

Surprise Him at work with lunch at least once this month

Pray for him everyday!

For My Family:

Christmas Shopping Complete

Intentionally Encourage one member of my family once a week.

Pray for members of my family intentionally everyday.

For Myself:
Pay for someone’s meal behind me in the drivethru
Get a haircut
Walk more than 4 miles every day this month
Try a new recipe
Clean out my prop shed
Rest

How will you have a fresh start this fall… God reminds us that his mercies are new every morning .  Its not too late Who wants to join me on this journey to an amazing Fall season:)

Studio Capelli- Hendersonville NC Salon

Two weeks ago, I photographed Hendersonville’s most beautiful hair salon. No, really. The furniture, the colors, the walls, the way Anne (the owner of said hair salon) has decorated and poured her heart and soul into her passion- this salon is seriously perfect.Anne Mathis is a wonderful girl with some serious talent and it has been an absolute pleasure getting to know her and her wonderful ladies at Studio Capelli. If you’re in Hendersonville  or even just in the Western North Carolina area, be sure to check out Anne and her salon Studio Capelli  or even better, Book your Appointment Here!! I mean, even the name is cute!

You will not find a more genuine, and thoughtful business owner or staff than you will at Studio Capelli.  Their sweet smiles and joy in serving others make it a pleasure just to step inside the salon.  I have had the pleasure of working with these ladies twice in the past two weeks and It has been such a treat :) 

We started the day with detail shots and then Anne and the other ladies worked her magic on seven gorgeous girls ( who happen to almost all be stylists at the salon). The girls also had their makeup done  by stylists at  the salon.  I could keep on talking about how much fun this day was, but instead I will just let the pictures do the talking cause this might be my biggest non-wedding blog post yet.  I want to sincerely thank Anne and the ladies at Studio Capelli, for their help in launching my newest line Beautiful- by Meredith Staton Photography! Keep an eye out on the blog for more information about these sessions coming soon :)

 

Stay tuned for more images of these glamourous ladies.

Especially Miss Kala who was the winner of our Glamour Contest and will be having a full session with us soon :) We are so excited!

Miss Chelsea - Hendersonville, NC Glamor Photographer

                             
                             

                             



                         
                         
                                                                                                                                 
                                             

{familiy} : Alicia, Alex, & Cayman::Western North Carolina Family Photographer

Words of Encouragement - Matthew 4:19

"Come follow me" Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men". Matthew 4:19 When I was little I used to kind of chuckle at this verse because i used to think, fishing for men? That's crazy! But now it is more clear and this verse means a lot to me. Jesus was talking to Peter and Andrew by the sea of Galilee and he said told them to drop their nets and to follow him. Peter and Andrew were fishermen by trade and were on their boat getting ready to go out for a days work. Jesus met the deciples where they were. He didn't look for perfect men to follow him, he looked for those who would follow him with everything they had. Jesus called to these men and told them to leave their lively hood and come with him. We talk about surrender, but what these men did had to have been scary, but their needs were always provided for. I think a lot of the reason they went with Jesus had to do with the way he asked. He was relevant to them, and he is still relevant today.

Words of Encouragement....Psalm 46:16

God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way, and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea though it s waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-3 Its so wonderful to be able to know that in times of trouble you can always depend on God. Many people live in fear of the world being destroyed, or even more their lives being destroyed. But the writer of these scriptures tells us that even if the world were to end that we should not be afraid because the Lord is our protection. If the earth were to be destroyed our salvation would protect us, and we would be with Him in Heaven. But on a smaller note, if we shouldn't be afraid of the world ending, we shouldn't be afraid of anything that can happen in this world. God is our refuge even in the face of total destruction. He is not merely a temporary retreat. He is our eternal refuge and can provide strength in any situation.

Words of Encouragement ... Psalm 18:2

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge. He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 Sometimes life gets hard. Sometimes we don't know what to do or where to turn, but this scripture can be such an encouragement in times like these. We really can depend on the Lord. The Lord is a rock. He is strong and unwavering and unmoving. God's protection of his people has no limit and comes in many different forms. The items David used to describe God's protection were military symbols. God is like a rock that cant be moved, it provides a great hiding place and bunker during times of war. It can shield from attack and provide protection from a storm. A fortress - or a safe place that is guarded and an enemy can not follow. A shield, that comes personally between us and the enemy for protection. The shield is used when you are up close and personal with the enemy and right in the middle of the battle. The horn is a symbol of might and power. and a stronghold. If we need protection we need to look to the Lord and ask.