San Diego Blog Stories
Within this blog you will find everything from Funeral planning for Veterans to Newborn photography. While we capture many events and share as much information as possible, our main goal is to serve others. We currently do that by providing information and curating things that are needed, primarily for our Military community in Southern California.
Quick Jump To…
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, CA | VMFA 225 Fly-in Homecoming | Smith Family
Epic fly-in homecoming photos from MCAS Miramar by Morning Owl Fine Art Photography San Diego, CA. Burnt orange and rust sweaters go perfectly with Marine corps Camis for photos!
Military Homecomings | USS Hampton SSN 767 | Point Loma Submarine Base
Harley McCracken contacted me looking for a photographer for her FIRST homecoming with her husband with USS Hampton. They originally met in Virginia and moved to San Diego, CA for their next duty station. Sadly, Harley had an emergency surgery RIGHT before their homecoming; doesn’t she look great!? Great energy and laughter as we waited for her hubby to be the last one off the boat. I hope you enjoy these photos!
If you are in San Diego and your loved one is about to leave, has already left, will be coming home soon BOOK A PHOTOGRAPHER! If not me, then someone, please! You will not regret it at all. To inquire about any ships, fly-ins, or even at The San Diego International Airport, contact me!
Hospital Fresh 48 Newborn | Mara Vesper | Sharp Mary Birch San Diego, CA
Making sure to capture emotion & connection during a hospital Fresh 48 Newborn Session.
I am so glad Laura found me on social media and hired me to capture her newborn baby girl for the first time. Laura had been a nanny for many years and had an amazing mother’s touch and a gentle hand.
I was so nervous with everything going on here in San Diego, I was so afraid they were going to limit those who could visit in the hospital due to the nasty virus going around (He who shall not be named). I wore a mask juuuussttt in case. Little did I know this would be the last baby girl I would get to photograph but funny enough, not at this specific session but at her in-home lifestyle session a few days later! she's such a great model and mom ROCKS at decorating. I actually didn’t know what miss Mara’s name would be until the second session. Sorry mom and dad, had to tell on you for waiting to pick out a name. ;) All jokes aside, you guys are going to be great parents!
MCRD San Diego, CA | India CO Graduation Day | Rainy Day | First Cancellation
COVID-19 Cancels Marine Boot Camp Graduations MCRD San Diego, CA.
Families were excited and ready to see their new marine until 9 am when it was announced all events were canceled, so was graduation, and to leave base immediately! NO ONE expected this; morale plummeted.
Oliver Light | Hospital Fresh 48 | Balboa Naval Medical Center
What is a Fresh 48 Session and why schedule one?
A fresh 48 is a session done in the hospital after baby is born but before you leave the hospital. They care called “Fresh 48” because they are captured within the first 48 hours of life to capture the details of a fresh babe. These precious sessions document the details of you and your significant other as you bond with your new baby. From documenting tiny little feet and ankle bracelets, to siblings meeting their baby brother or sister for the FIRST time, the authentic connection and emotion captured during this time will bring you to tears of joy every time you look at your Fresh 48 session.
Navy Promotion - Frocking Ceremony | LCS MCM San Diego | NOSC San Diego, CA
Navy Pinning Ceremony, San Diego, CA | Reserve Unit
What is a Frocking Ceremony?
Essentially, a ceremony for making rank!
There are various instances in Navy Regulations, at least as early as 1802, of personnel assuming the uniform of the next higher rank, not necessarily with higher pay, when appointed by proper authority to assume the duties and responsibilities of that rank prior to actual promotion. These appointments were sometimes temporary as when it was necessary rapidly to swell the ranks during war time, especially in the Civil War. Other instances concerned a commander's need to fill an unforeseen vacancy for which there was no one of equal rank. In this case, a junior who was qualified for promotion would assume the uniform and duties pending approval by the Navy Department.
In Home Newborn Family Session | Aedan Charles | San Diego, CA
Choosing Posed Studio Newborn and In Home Lifestyle
There are lots of different styles, locations, props, and even editing when it comes to newborn photography and it's up to you to decide what's right for your family!
In my opinion, nothing is more beautiful than keeping things real, natural, and stress-free. After all, precious moments and family interactions are what you really want to preserve with the camera. Natural poses are also better for safety concerns with minimal risks involved and very hands off (important with recent pandemic talk).
If you’re wondering how to pose naturally with your baby, these stress-free poses will help guide you.
The beauty of lifestyle sessions with older siblings, is that the whole session is ‘go with the flow’. There are no expectations on them to behave or be still and that's totalllyyy okay. In this shoot, I took advantage of the gorgeous window light! We stayed in the living room by request but we're able to get so many great images. Check out the review I received and some photos from the session below.
Marine Corps Recruit Family Day + First Hug | MCRD San Diego, CA | Fox CO Platoons 2121-2127
"I became a Marine because I wanted to instill discipline in myself and see if I had it in me to overcome the challenges of boot camp. Now I not only have earned the title but I have also found my place in a brotherhood that will last a lifetime and have learned that the only limits we have are the ones we set for ourselves. The Marine Corps has set me up for success and has given me the mental and physical strength to tackle any obstacle that comes before me." -PFC Brody Fink
San Diego Maternity | Stanley Family | Windansea Beach La Jolla, CA
This military family met up with me on Windansea Beach here in La Jolla for their Maternity photo session. Mom brought this olive/army green dress, and I brought the burnt orange Chicaboo gown! Which, is in my client closet for ANY client to use, Maternity or not.
Sadly, our photo session only lasted a few minutes before the sky lit up beautifully at sunset and momma needed a little extra help because babe was pushing on her nerve. Just to be safe, we ended the session and momma got the medical attention she needed! YOU and your babies health come before photos <3
Military Homecomings | VMFA 225 | Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar
"I got to see the bond between friends made in the military.
These two women are at different stages of their life but united in supporting their loved ones.
Overall, I loved photographing my client's family, and seeing such raw emotion; but I equally loved watching these two friends interact through the anticipation of their Marines coming home.
Do yourself a favor, hire a photographer! "
If you are in San Diego and your loved one is about to leave, has already left, will be coming home soon BOOK A PHOTOGRAPHER! If not me, then someone, please! You will not regret it at all.
To inquire about any ships, fly-ins, or even The San Diego International Airport Homecomings, contact me!