Mom Reuniting With Son After Deployment | Chunaco Family | USNS Mercy | San Diego Naval Base | pt2

San Diego MilitaryEvent SessionsHomecomingsSan Diego Military EventsFamilyNaval Base San DiegoFemale Service Member
Written By Morning Owl Fine Art Photography San Diego CA

USNS Mercy T-AH-19 is a 1,000 bed hospital ship commissioned in 1986 and currently lay berthed at Pier 1 on Naval Base San Diego, California.

Along with USNS Comfort, USNS Mercy provides an afloat, mobile, acute surgical medical facilities when called upon to the U.S. military, and hospital services to support U.S. disaster relief and humanitarian operations worldwide.

Check out this second set of images of LCDR Chunaco reuniting with her husband and son.

Deployed Mom VS Deployed Dad… <- in last blog about this family with the first half of images.

Here is the second set of images from the Chunaco family reuniting at Naval Base San Diego with USNS Mercy Hospital Ship.

 

If you want an airport homecoming session, let me know right HERE!

 

All Recent Blogs

Featured
How to Help Siblings Feel Seen During In-Home Newborn Photography Lifestyle Sessions
How to Help Siblings Feel Seen During In-Home Newborn Photography Lifestyle Sessions

Discover how to help older siblings feel included and celebrated during Newborn Photo Sessions — backed by research and family-centered photography tips. Including siblings in your in-home newborn session adds depth, emotion, and lasting memories. Whether you're a growing family in East County San Diego or a photographer looking to support your client better, remember—it’s not just about the baby, it’s about the bond. Thank you for letting me share this part of the story with you.

Read More →
Good Reads for New Military MoMs | 2025
Good Reads for New Military MoMs | 2025

Good Reads for New Military MoMs (Mom of a Marine) | 2025

As a San Diego-based veteran, military photographer, and mother myself, I know firsthand the pride and emotional weight that comes with watching your child become a United States Marine. Whether you're preparing for that first letter from Boot Camp or holding your breath until graduation day, these handpicked reads are for you.

Each book in this 2025 list has been chosen to help new Marine moms find comfort, understanding, and strength—from heartfelt journals to honest stories from fellow military parents. From Be Safe, Love Mom to Rise Up Military Moms, these resources offer more than just information—they offer connection.

Start here if you’re looking to feel seen, supported, and surrounded by others who truly get it.

Read More →
Water Immersion Photography After Infant Loss: How This Gentle Practice Helped Me Honor My Son
Water Immersion Photography After Infant Loss: How This Gentle Practice Helped Me Honor My Son

Discover how water immersion photography provides a gentle, womb-like environment for capturing remembrance photos after infant loss. This guide shares personal experience, peer-reviewed research, and step-by-step instructions using saline solution, helping families create peaceful, lasting memories through neonatal bereavement photography.

Read More →
Memorial Day vs. Veterans Day: What’s the Difference? | San Diego, CA
Memorial Day vs. Veterans Day: What’s the Difference? | San Diego, CA

Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but each honors a different kind of sacrifice. In this post, San Diego military funeral photographer and U.S. Navy veteran Morgan Liberatore shares the important distinction between the two holidays, explores their historical roots, and reflects on what Memorial Day truly means. With local landmarks like Fort Rosecrans and Mt. Soledad woven into the story, this post invites readers to pause, remember, and honor those who gave everything.

Read More →
 
Featured
Morgan Liberatore.png

Photographing military events and milestones are one of the most rewarding types of sessions I have ever photographed. I consider it a huge perk of living in a military town that I get to shoot them very often and am always honored to do so.

I am dedicated to serving others in a NEW way, that doesn’t involve active service in the military. I want to capture your special moments and help in any way I can; even if that means we are not that right match.

Community Over Competition 

&

Servant Leadership 

20220902_000637_0001.png

20220902_000637_0002.png
20220902_000637_0003.png
20220902_000637_0004.png
20220902_000637_0005.png
amazon store.JPG

Photographing​ ​military​ ​homecomings​ ​is​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​most​ ​rewarding​ ​and​ ​wonderful types​ ​of​ ​shoots​ ​there​ ​are.​ ​I​ ​consider​ ​it​ ​a​ ​huge​ ​perk​ ​of​ ​living​ ​in​ ​a​ ​military​ ​town​ ​that​ ​I get​ ​to​ ​shoot​ ​them very often.

Dedicated to serving others in a NEW way, that doesn’t involve active service in the military. I want to capture your special moments and help in any way I can.

If YOU need any help planning your airport homecoming session, let me know right here!

Instagram Journey

Recent Military Blog Posts

Featured
Good Reads for New Military MoMs | 2025
Good Reads for New Military MoMs | 2025

Good Reads for New Military MoMs (Mom of a Marine) | 2025

As a San Diego-based veteran, military photographer, and mother myself, I know firsthand the pride and emotional weight that comes with watching your child become a United States Marine. Whether you're preparing for that first letter from Boot Camp or holding your breath until graduation day, these handpicked reads are for you.

Each book in this 2025 list has been chosen to help new Marine moms find comfort, understanding, and strength—from heartfelt journals to honest stories from fellow military parents. From Be Safe, Love Mom to Rise Up Military Moms, these resources offer more than just information—they offer connection.

Start here if you’re looking to feel seen, supported, and surrounded by others who truly get it.

Read More →
Memorial Day vs. Veterans Day: What’s the Difference? | San Diego, CA
Memorial Day vs. Veterans Day: What’s the Difference? | San Diego, CA

Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but each honors a different kind of sacrifice. In this post, San Diego military funeral photographer and U.S. Navy veteran Morgan Liberatore shares the important distinction between the two holidays, explores their historical roots, and reflects on what Memorial Day truly means. With local landmarks like Fort Rosecrans and Mt. Soledad woven into the story, this post invites readers to pause, remember, and honor those who gave everything.

Read More →
From Sea to Scholar: Graduating With Honors While Deployed | San Diego, CA | PS1 Travis Houston
From Sea to Scholar: Graduating With Honors While Deployed | San Diego, CA | PS1 Travis Houston

Getting a degree while active duty is hard enough… What about graduating with honors while deployed!?!

Here is why this US Navy Sailor, PS1 Travis Houston, is making waves in San Diego. Personnel Specialist First Class Travis Houston is a dedicated sailor with eight years of service under his belt with an unwavering commitment to advancing in his Navy career. It hasn’t always been this way. PS1's story isn't just about military service; it's a testament to the ability to balance service and education while setting one's sights on a brighter, even more challenging future.

Read More →
Passing of Old Glory: A Heartfelt Tribute at Military Retirements | CBMU 303 San Diego, CA | Navy Seabee Master Chief Shawn Hollister
Passing of Old Glory: A Heartfelt Tribute at Military Retirements | CBMU 303 San Diego, CA | Navy Seabee Master Chief Shawn Hollister

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.

Experience the poignant 'Old Glory' tradition at military retirements, celebrating service members' distinguished careers. Discover the heartfelt flag passing ceremony, a symbol of respect and honor, while exploring the emotional reading of 'Old Glory,' symbolizing courage, sacrifice, and the enduring spirit of the United States. Plan your military retirement in San Diego, a vibrant city with a rich military heritage, and find resources for organizing meaningful ceremonies and unforgettable tributes.

Read More →
From Tattoos to Training: How Recent Changes Policy are Reshaping the Marine Corps | MCRD San Diego, CA | Staff Sergeant Mary Phaly
From Tattoos to Training: How Recent Changes Policy are Reshaping the Marine Corps | MCRD San Diego, CA | Staff Sergeant Mary Phaly

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, martial arts, and more.

Read More →

Tag Cloud

Morning Owl Fine Art Photography San Diego CA https://www.morningowlfineart.com
Previous

Top 4 Book Reads for Military Spouses
Next

Mom Reuniting With Son After Deployment | Chunaco Family | USNS Mercy | San Diego Naval Base |