Morning Owl Fine Art Photography San Diego Military Homecoming Photographer

02/12/2023

One of my new favorite photos taken yesterday. AZC Jay has faithfully served in the Navy and I am blessed to have been able to capture some studio images and her retirement ceremony.

28/11/2023

I am so excited to have my studio space up and running again! Our house flood took a toll on us for an entire year.... Going through damaged storage items was painful. I am so grateful to get to be doing this again. You'll see this Chief again pretty soon! For her retirement. We shot this for legacy purposes and to have an updated photo on her retirement program.

Morning Owl Fine Art San Diego

20/11/2023

It’s the holidays and many service members are away from home!

Crown Royal has this AMAZING PROGRAM! I've used it for my spouse while he was deployed.

Y’all, this is completely FREE to do and literally takes five seconds!

Care packages mean so much to our military all through the year, but especially over the holidays.

Click this link ➡️ pack.crownroyal.com

And then SHARE!

Crown Royal Gift That Keeps On Giving

10/11/2023

08/11/2023

Thank you CBS 8 San Diego for interviewing me as a veteran owned business in San Diego.

Morning Owl Fine Art Photography San Diego Military Homecoming Photographer
By Morgan Liberatore

CBS 8 is celebrating veteran-owned businesses leading up to Veteran's day. Morning Owl Fine Art Photography captures all kinds of memories for military families.

01/10/2023

Wow .... I CONTINUALLY compared myself to other military related photographers and their social media accounts. Why do they have so many followers, why is my content not as popular as theirs....
I decided to "look them up" and see if they have purchased followers .... WOW is all I have to say. I feel much better now!

Morning Owl Fine Art Photography San Diego Military Homecoming Photographer

06/09/2023

** I am currently taking sessions on a case-by-case basis at a very limited number **
I am teaching a photography course to 7th-12th graders and giving them my ALL and giving my family my all. Please be patient with me as I try to go through emails and let you know if I am able to join you in your important event or not.

There will be highly discounted and free sessions where you will be able to model for our class in the future! Sadly, not for events as those are very important and do not lend the time needed.

22/07/2023

**Which Navy Seabee working/ battle uniform (1990s-Now) is your favorite and why?**

Seabee Museum & Memorial Park

Morning Owl Fine Art Photography San Diego Military Homecoming Photographer
By Morgan Liberatore

21/07/2023

Need resources for organizing a meaningful Military Retirement in San Diego?

Here are 4 ways to personalize the flag-passing ceremony at your retirement ceremony.

https://www.morningowlfineart.com/blog-San-Diego-Photographer/Flag-passing-ceremony-old-glory-military-retirement-planning

Morning Owl Fine Art Photography San Diego Military Homecoming Photographer
by Morgan Liberatore

2 huge changes for the Corps: Female Recruits allowed at MCRD San Diego and tattoo Full Sleeve policy changes have shaped where Staff Sergeant Mary Phaly is today! Enjoy some policy history and get excited about how this Drill Instructor is trailblazing away! E6 in 6, getting a bachelors degree, mar

17/07/2023

Wow! What beautiful imagery! Congratulations to these people and the choice they made.

16/07/2023

🎉 Honoring a Colleague: 2 Key Steps for an Unforgettable Retirement Speech 🎤⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

Step 1: Highlight Their Achievements (bragging rights)

Step 2: Share Personal Anecdotes. 🙌🏼⁣
⤴️ don't forget!!

Coming together to bid farewell to a cherished colleague. By acknowledging their accomplishments and recounting heartfelt memories, you can create an emotional tribute that captures the essence of your service members time with us. 🗒️💬

My new favorite photo to capture at Retirements is whom ever is having a speech, looking over at the retiring service member!

Morning Owl Fine Art Photography San Diego Military Homecoming Photographer
By Morgan Liberatore

15/07/2023

Congratulations to David Bradbury on 20 years of faithful service in the United States Coast Guard as a diver and many other hats. USCG Station San Deigo

I am honored to have been able to attend and witness the pure happiness everyone talks about at your Retirement yesterday; that "Diver who's always happy". Congratulations again and good luck on your next adventure.

Morning Owl Fine Art Photography San Diego Military Homecoming Photographer
By Morgan Liberatore

08/06/2023

Life update from my personal account:

Lots changing at home.

First off - I am doing my best to change my entire focus to my family and home. Sounds silly, but I got too comfortable being out of the home; doing workaholic things... "Growing my business".... I neglected basic needs, home tasks, mom and wife stuff, etc. My health declined rapidly and I was drained. No matter the efforts of "self care" there was always something missing. And it took a bit to realize it but my self-centered control on "my life" kept me from home.... It also kept me from any of God's callings on my life and my families life.

A continual rapid decline following every turn...

BUT. All that being said, I have stepped away from actively advertising or seeking photography clients. A medical diagnosis with a plan for surgery; risking future childbearing possibilities snapped me into reality... - I had to refund many clients and find replacements during Homecoming season... What was it I was truely trying to do with my knowledge? Yes, I love serving others through photographing military events, funerals, babies that have passed too soon and more.... But is that it?

With all of the time I spent alongside some awesome moms at my daughtes preschool, my love for teaching grew. I struggled with the idea that this is just a new thing for me to obsess with, it's not God's calling for me.... X, Y, Z. I kept pushing the thoughts away. Yes, I love teaching and photography but that's "not what I'm supposed to do with myself".

Yet, I am the one that put that limit on God, not Him.

So, I took it (my desire) up to the Big Man, and doors started flying open. The photography teacher who was at Novas school would be departing - the idea of a photography class completely came off the roster for 2023-24, then a semester course, and now a full year! Annnnddd I'll be the teacher! It's not the only class I'll be teaching either (but I'm sure you mostly know me from my camera work 😹).

Any whoo... I made the course description for the signups last night - put "join Morgan for ###x". Got a message from Mr Nelson saying he loved the updated description but he needed to change something, I am MRS. LIBERATORE now. Pretty cool feeling :)

Here's to creating a course on faith in photography (ethics, boundaries, etc), and teaching the next generation all of the things I wished I would have been taught before starting a business in a "non Christian" world while getting in all the fundamentals.

Morning Owl Fine Art Photography San Diego Military Homecoming Photographer

03/06/2023

This Memorial Day, Partridge Creek Mortuary honors those who so courageously gave their lives for the stars and stripes. ⭐ FD2411

📸: Morning Owl Fine Art Photography San Diego Military Homecoming Photographer

25/05/2023

If you haven't seen my update on my website banner, it explains a lot. Sad - mix feelings - working on it.

Decided to play with the photoshop AI generator with a self portrait as dictated by my daughter - too funny!

Morgan Liberatore Anthony Liberatore

Using a self-portrait of my husband and I to see what the adobe photoshop beta Artificial Intelligence would come up with.

19/05/2023

I know that some services - especially "luxury" services are not being scheduled this year. With a scary economy and an unknown financial year for most- its the first things and most obvious things to remove from the budget. I totally get that.
But family photos are NOT a luxury - and let me tell you why.
Family photos are the only thing you can provide for your family that will GAIN value over time. That your grandkids will benefit from. Treasure. Want. Sometimes they are the only thing to bring you comfort after you have lost someone you love. You hold your babies tight and you think " I want to always remember what their tiny hands look like, remember how their eyes sparkle when they smile at me, remember that funny smile when their front teeth were missing"... and you WILL yourself to always remember. You tell yourself you will never forget it. Truth is- every year after that beautiful memory will fade. Become more foggy. You can no longer picture what their hand looked like in yours- and you are left with the feeling it gave you but no visual. Book a family photoshoot with a photographer who tries to get to know you, and who captures the moments and details that matter to YOU. So at your son's graduation, you can pull up photos of his head on your shoulder. It suddenly doubles in value.
So at your celebration of life, he can pull up the same photo and suddenly it gains even more value.
So he can show it to his own children, and it gains even more value.

I know times are hard for a lot right now, but budget for your memories.

I offer payment plans, and an all inclusive experience. No- my photos are not "cheap". But my services are not a transaction. My sessions are an experience. An event. Intentional. I provide the wardrobe, private locations, beautifully curated galleries that tell your story.

01/05/2023

A fellow MILSO and amazing San Diego photographer, Jen Jordan Photography , is doing a webinar this week for flightline and homecoming sessions! Check out her webinar with ShootProof here:

Jen Jordan's passion for working with the military community grew from her husband's career as a pilot in the Marine Corps. The more she was immersed in the military community (and the longer she was a military spouse) she began to truly appreciate the strength of both the service member and those l...

01/05/2023

My sweet Giovanni's due date is only a couple of days away!

Today is Bereaved Mother's Day.

If you didn't know this day existed, you might be one of the lucky ones. If you did know this day existed, please know that you're not alone.

Today is the day we honor all of the Mothers who have heavy hearts.

❤️ We honor those still waiting for their miracle.
❤️ We honor those who have had failed fertility treatments.
❤️ We honor those who have lost their embryos.
❤️ We honor those who have had a pregnancy end too soon.
❤️ We honor those who have suffered a stillbirth.
❤️ We honor those who have lost their babies.
❤️ We honor those who have lost their children.

We acknowledge that not all mothers will enjoy Mother's Day. It's a painful reminder of what they've lost, what they no longer have, or what hasn't come easily.

Once a mother, always a mother.
Loss doesn't change that.

29/04/2023

Check out their work!

Congratulations to Hospital Corpsman Chief Rebecca Walden on her well deserved retirement from the United States Navy. Thank you for trusting us with creating this custom Mermaid with Helm Shadowbox with Dolphins and turtles to not only honor your service to our country but to honor your father and you children as well. As any service member knows, we don’t get to this point in our lives and careers without the support of the ones we love! We wish you all the best and we thank you for your service Sis!

28/04/2023

A few sneakpeeks from a Change of Command Ceremony for HSM-35 Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 35 Magicians' at Naval Air Station North Island- Coronado
Morning Owl

27/04/2023

Hooyah BESS!

Happy first day of Basic Enlisted Submarine School to the newest class of future submariners.

Over the next eight weeks, these sailors will learn about life on a submarine, and the basic theory behind the construction and operation of nuclear-powered submarines, including ship systems, organization, and safety.

26/04/2023