Morning Owl Fine Art Photography San Diego Military Homecoming Photographer

26/08/2026

PST, looking for family inspo for my next Chief Outfit Guide!
Did you know you can post a PHOTO as a comment here? Show me your family and I'll make a guide 😍

25/08/2026

Do you know a Chief Select? Tag them below so I can update my outfit guides 😍

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

Navy Service Uniform, NSUs , specifically that of a senior enlisted member in the US Navy that is worn during Chief Pinning Ceremonies. This guide has blues & browns to complement this full khaki uniform. This specific guide was designed for a male service member, female spouse, and multipl

25/08/2026

Completely off base? Let me know in the comments.

15/08/2026

2021 was a great year serving new Marine families at MCRD.... until it wasn't. Early 2022 I was stopped while coming onto base with my own CAC and issued this letter.

I spent a YEAR doing everything the "right way". Getting my info populated into SAM, figuring out how to submit an unsolicited bid just to be told no... apparently it was still a conflicting 'service' (photographing families hugging for the first time and close ups of their Marine on graduation/family day). I offered all rights and usage to my photos and a high percentage in payment to MCX... wasn't enough...

MCRD Paris Island on the other hand.... they allow photographers on board! It's a simple process and they only have to provide their insurance policy.... I tried to give legal a copy of it and it was disregarded.

Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego continues to provide a disservice to the thousands of families that come on board by essentially restricting ~ free advertisement ~. Do better. Ask Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. how you can since you don't want to hear it from me or the thousands of new Marines and families pumped through MCRD SD.

Signed,

A photographer vet

06/08/2026

This gentleman at the YMCA wanted me to know I got an "investment" on my arm. 😆 This was all he could afford at the time.

I didn't get a chance to ask him any questions... which branch of service do you think he served in? What do you think his tattoo is of?

Thanks to over at Vessel Tattoo Co. for my beautiful Americana Investment 💃

Morgan Liberatore

30/07/2026

28/07/2026

Change of Command Gift Ideas That Actually Mean Something

One of my favorite parts of photographing military Change of Command ceremonies... Is seeing the incredible gifts that are presented afterward.

Some are funny.
Some are deeply personal.
Many become family heirlooms.

These are just a few of the incredible presentation gifts I recently photographed at a Naval Special Warfare ceremony in Coronado.

A handcrafted keepsake box filled with meaningful career mementos.
A personalized flintlock pistol engraved with years of service.
A custom MP5 display built specifically for the commanding officer.

Every one of them tells a story that goes far beyond the wood, metal, and craftsmanship.

If you're planning a Change of Command, don't underestimate the impact of a thoughtful, personalized gift. Years from now, these pieces often become tangible reminders of a career spent serving others.

I've also been researching the history behind Naval Special Warfare commands and Change of Command traditions. If military history is your thing, you might enjoy this article:

https://www.morningowlfineart.com/blog-San-Diego-Photographer/nsw-msc-group-8-nswg-10-history?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nswg8_blog&utm_content=giftideas

27/07/2026

More Than Just a Jacket

One of the first things you'll notice in these photos isn't the medals.

It isn't the rank..... It's the flight jackets.

For those who wore them, they represent far more than leather and patches.

Every patch tells part of a story.
A squadron.
A deployment.
A qualification earned.
Friends made.
Places visited.
Long nights on the flight line or aboard a carrier.

Military retirements aren't just about saying goodbye to a career.

They're about honoring the stories that uniform carried for decades.

That's one reason I love photographing them.

Every retirement looks different because every career is different.

If you're curious about one of the traditions often included in these ceremonies, I recently researched the history of the Old Glory presentation and even shared ideas for personalizing it.











https://www.morningowlfineart.com/blog-San-Diego-Photographer/old-glory-poem-history-modern-retirement-reading?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=old_glory_blog&utm_content=FB12_flightjacket

24/07/2026

Every Retirement Tells a Story

Every military retirement I've photographed has been different.
Different commands.
Different uniforms.
Different speeches.
Different emotions.
But one thing never changes...

When Old Glory is presented, the room pauses.

For just a few moments, everyone remembers why they served.

That's a tradition worth preserving.

If you're curious about the history behind it, or looking for ideas for your own retirement ceremony, I recently put together my most in-depth article yet.













https://www.morningowlfineart.com/blog-San-Diego-Photographer/old-glory-poem-history-modern-retirement-reading?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=old_glory_blog&utm_content=FB10_story