a test post
March 30, 2009trying some linking with my facebook fan page… we’ll see if it works.
and a pic from when Miranda visited and me testing some lighting.
Archive for March, 2009
Class of 2009 - Miss Marissa | senior portraits, Templeton
March 29, 2009With Marissa, we did a little “yearbook” session back when she had her braces on. Well, they are off now and her smile is beautiful.
I always look forward to comments. Click down below to leave your thoughts.
it is against copyright to right-click and save images from my blog
Desiree: Beautiful!
Bobby Dean: Wow, what a smile and beautiful eyes, too. Great pics, Mouse, as usual. You sure do have a great eye for pics
Clayton Stanton McDonald - April 26, 1990 - March 16, 2009
March 22, 2009Saturday was Clayton’s memorial service at Atascadero Bible Church. I am not sure how many attended, but it was probably around 2,000 people.
It was a service full of laughter, tears, and l.o.v.e. It was truly amazing. It was a celebration of Clayton’s life and the love that he had for people, the love he had for God. It was moving. It was heartfelt. It was beautiful.
Do you want to be inspired? Clayton would love for you to watch it, to be inspired, to take the baton and run with it, carrying on His work. The full services is here at Clayton’s Story. His brother Zack played the piano and sang this song that Clayton asked to be played at his services, and Zack added a whole verse to it about Clayton’s life.
My meeting the McDonald family, was God’s work. I could go on and on and on about how I feel about this family, how much I admire them, how Clayton inspired me, but it would take me hours. Anybody who knows me has heard me talk about how touched I have been by the McDonalds. I am lucky, not only to have met them all, but to have found a wonderful friend in Wendy.
“If you walk with God and you’re in His will, there might be pain, you might feel alone, it might get scary, but through all of it, you will not be disappointed.” - Clayton Stanton McDonald.
jenny mcmasters: Mo, I want you to know I just shared Clayton with my brother. I don't think he "knows" where he is going at the end of his life. I hope that his connection with Adam will be enough to make him listen to Clayton's story and hopefully he will make a decision to walk with God the way he once did. Clayton continues to share his message!
sam provenzano: Mo... thank you so much for sharing and letting myself and others get to "know" clayton.. I have followed this story for a while now.. and each time I see his face.. I take a deep breath.. the soul in his eyes.. the warmth of his smile the innocence of his being just overwhelms myself. you are such a lucky woman to have been touched and to have personally known such an amazing spirit... and i am sure you are just as lucky to now forever be bonded to his family.. much love and hugs mo... you are such a gift!!
A very sad day.
March 16, 2009I really don’t know what I could possibly say, but today Clayton McDonald has taken the Lord’s hand. The Lord blessed me by introducing me to the McDonald Family. I pray for them.
Clayton, until we meet again.
Clayton’s family does read the comments, please feel free to leave them below.
Desiree: Thinking of you McDonald family, peace and love to your family during a difficult time. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Krysia: I'm very sorry for your loss. I'm sending thoughts of peace and prayers your way.
Kimberly Whipps: I am so sorry for your loss. And I am so blessed to have "met" you through these images. I would have loved to heard the glorious uproar as Clayton entered into Heaven. Imagine the cheers when Christ said, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Your son has touched the lives of many and I for one look forward to the day when I will meet you all face to face. May God continue to bless you.
Lisa Russo: I sit here crying for a boy I didn't know in person...but knew through these images - whose personality just SHONE through. And I also see how blessed and loved he was by his family. My thoughts are with the McDonald family at this time.
Lisa: Mo, I know you have spoken of him before, and shown this familiy's images. You captured the essence of this family to preserve forever. God bless his family and friends, they are in my thoughts and prayers.
Therese Marie: I am heart broken for everyone. I have thought of Clayton so many times and those images are engraved in my mind and my heart forever. I will have every in my prayers.
Shannon Snyder: I can just imagine the party happening today in Heaven. This is why we do what we do, so the family can cherish these images for the time they have here...before they get to join the party with Clayton.
jaime lackey: an amazing story and family. my prayers are with you guys. i can not image what clayton is seeing right now.
Joni Streit: Love and prayers to the McDonald family and to you too, Mo.
Natalie Howell: How glorious it must be to be face to face with his savior. What a beautiful life.....and it's only the beginning of a VERY beautiful eternity which one day you will share with him. I can't wait to meet him one day too. My prayers for your comfort and peace until the day you meet your sweet child again.
melissa: I remember you introducing us to the McDonald family, and Clayton. What an amazing story of strength...he has certainly left his story on my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with you, thank you for sharing your son with so many of us.
erin: My heartfelt concern and prayers are with Clayton's family. And I rejoice that he has been reunited with our Father. Thank you for sharing his story with us.
Amber: Oh my heart breaks to see this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and their family. His beautiful personality was very apparent through your gorgeous images.
Ruth Steck: Peace and Prayers sent to the McDonald family. Thank you for sharing your amazing family and Clayton with us.
Bobby Dean: I am so sorry to read about the passing of Clayton. Mouse I know your heart is broken, he seemed like such a great kid. You captured him on film for his family and shared them with the rest of us. He is with god now and in no more pain. My prayers are with you and his family
Jen Mahoney: What a blessing this boy was to the world! Thank you for sharing him with us!
Jana Kunz: Wow, that slideshow was beautiful. My heart goes out to this beautiful boys friends and family.
Dana: I'm so sorry to hear about the McDonald's family loss. I know Clayton is in a better place and he is healed. Monyeen has captured the love this family shares.
Carley Mac: im sitting here...drowning in tears for this family. what amazing photos and memories they have to look back on one day. ill be keeping this beautiful family in my prayers. thank you for sharing this with us
Shannon Treadway: Thoughts and prayers to the McDonald family. I'm so sorry for your loss.Your son has touched many. Mo thank you for sharing him with us.
lyndsay: many prayers for his family. thank you so much for sharing his story with us, he's touched so many people.
TaraMc: Love and prayers to the McDonald family. Thank you for sharing Clayton and his lovely family with us.
Kerianne: My heart aches for the McDonald family. Please know that your Clayton touched so many lives... people you have never met. Thank you for sharing your story and your son and brother with us all. You are such an amazing family and will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Brooke: What a blessing to have heard Clayton's story and share in his faith. May God's loving arms surround you with his comfort...
Stefanie W.: What a beautiful slideshow of such an amazing family. Mo, your photos are SUCH a treasure for the McDonald family. Their love is so evident in these photos. Clayton did indeed touch so many. The McDonald family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Jessie: Even though we have never met, Clayton has touched my life profoundly. I have found myself sharing his story to others... he was, and will continue to be, and inspiration. During his short life here, he has made his mark in a very real, very profound way. I cannot wait to meet him someday and tell him "thank you" for his heart.
Amy (3 Peas): My heart and prayers go out to the McDonalds...Mo I am so thankful that you shared his story and this amazing and joyous photos with all of us. I have thought of Clayton and his family often and these images are such a tribute to their love and joy.
Jenny McMasters: My heart aches for you Mo and especially for the McDonald family. Thank you for sharing Clayton with us. I am certain that as he met the Lord he was greeted with these words: "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
Angela (SouthsideStudio): What an amazing photo story you captured that day. Such a beautiful family, full of love....spirit....and energy. Clayton was a handsome young man. My thoughts are with the McDonald family as they go through this terrible time. Mo, you did a wonderful job with them. I would be over the moon with all of those great images and my walls would be covered in his memory.
Pattie: Mo, Thank you so much for putting this slide show together. It is a gift. Clayton and his family and church have reflected God's goodness and glory in so many ways. They have trusted in God's faithfulness and plan, and never complained about the hard or uncomfortable parts. It is so clear that God has blessed them. And now Clayton wears his largest smile as he beholds Love Himself and where hope is transformed into reality and joy. And because of the Cross of Jesus, we can hope for that day for ourselves.
Wayne A. Morris: To the McDonald Family: Thank you for allowing you son to share with us! He has made an impact on the whole country. I live in Philadelphia and work with David Heidengren who shared his web link with me. I then began to share it with others. I still think about his story. I share your tears of happiness and joy and know that he is with the Only True God who can save us all and gives us a mansion not made with hands but eternal in the heavens! I look forward to seeing him one day!
Michelle: My thoughts and prayers are with the McDonald family. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your wonderful, tenacious son with all of us. He is a blessing to anyone who knew him, I am sure! Stay well and keep giggling....you show us all what real families should be like.
Lori: I too look forward to seeing Clayton "on the other side", my condolences to his family. What a beautiful young man.
Sissy: i got the pleasure of learning about Clayton and his wonderful family through you, baby sister, i feel your loss. Heaven is a happier place with Clayton's spirit. His spirit will always be with you all. Bless you McDonald family.
Jodi Bell: A beautiful life beautifully captured. To the McDonald's: may Clayton's life enrich your own through memories of him. He looks like a wonderful soul. Prayers to you all during this time of healing.
Kim Prochazka: I'm so sorry to hear this, Mo. We were all blessed to rejoice in his life with you and his family. What an amazing man he was. I'll keep them all in my prayers.
The Corrigan Family: We have been privileged to pray for Clayton and for all of you, along with Pattie & Dave. Clayton now stands with the King of Kings - at the portal, awaiting our arrival. May the Lord Jesus comfort & strengthen you until that time...
sheila: My thoughts and prayers are with you. What a beautiful boy you have and wonderful images to keep close to your hearts forever.
Melissa: From the first time I saw these photos, Clayton touched my heart. You gave the family an incredible gift, beautiful memories to cherish him by. I pray that the Lord gives his family peace and comfort during this time.
Kendra Hagaman: My heart goes out to the McDonald Family. I am so sorry to hear of Clayton's passing. I feel so blessed that you allowed Monyeen share your family's journey with us and I will continue to keep you in my prayers. Red shoes will always remind me of your Clayton.
Daly Family: Blessings and prayers from Havertown, Pennsylvania. What a joy it is to view these pictures and see the love of the Lord in your family. Our Savior, who is the author of joy, has been so good to give you a wonderful son/brother in Clayton. And we, too, although miles away, have been blessed by Clayton (and your) life of faith, hope, and grace. Thank you...
Amber: I am so very sorry for your loss. Photography is such a gift and I am so glad that they have these beautiful shots to hold on to. I can't imagine the pain and loss...I simply can't. Thank you for sharing him...with us.
carl & Peggy Wheaton: What a blesing your precious boy wa to hundreds and to us peronally when we heard his barve and moving story at ABC.He led o many to his Lord!!! May the God of all comfort surround you with His arms as you miss him daily - we will all SEE him again!! PTL!
Dawn: You can feel the love through these amazing photos, what a loving family. My prayers are with the family.
Mary J: Never have I been so touched by a young man as Clayton and then never have I admired a family as the McDonalds. I see where Clayton, Zach and Sam get their goodness. God blessed them with WONDERFUL parents who raised them to believe in the One who guides them through everything and has now greeted Clayton. "A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth." Ecclesiastes 7:1
Leandra: So much fun and love in these images. My heart aches for this family. What a bright light Clayton was.
Shooting the moon
March 11, 2009I have never tried any long exposure shots. Tonight was the night. I busted out the tripod I have and set it up to take shots of the moon through the neighbor’s beautiful oak tree.
This first image was handheld and no long exposure, just to get the moon.
then I wanted to see what I could do.
it looks like the sun, huh? I love the flare, though.
and then this, a little brighter.
all are so differnet.
Lori Swanson: Wow ~ Mo, they are stunning! I can't wait to show Phil! Thanks! Really love the ones of your dogs too! Fantastic!
heidi: so cool! love the flare on the second one, too!
Heather Hamilton: Oh wow!! Gorgeous!! The moon here was beautiful last night! I'll have to try this sometime!
My furkids | pet photography
March 9, 2009anytime I seem to get a new piece of equipment, well, the dogs are the first ones to get their picture taken. This week my new camera arrived. and since I have not shared my doggies in a long time, here they are.
I always look forward to comments. Click down below to leave your thoughts.
it is against copyright to right-click and save images from my blog
Melissa: Your work is always lovely but the pictures here of your furry babies are just too sweet. Our 13 year old lab passed away last summer. Such wonderful dogs. These melt my heart, Mo. :)
Nealy | Newborn photos
March 6, 2009Little Miss Nealy arrived a little bit early and is a tiny little girl, just at 6 lbs. She was such a good baby today at just about 2 weeks old.
I always look forward to comments. Click down below to leave your thoughts.
it is against copyright to right-click and save images from my blog
Jan: Monyeen, these are amazing! I love the first one, especially. That needs to be one huge print!
Kendra: Stunning Mo...what a beautiful baby, love all that hair!
holly: Oh Mo...gorgeous!!! Love them all...but that first took my breath away!
Meghan: I love these. You did a great job. I love to take newborn pictures, there is something just so special about them!
Bobby Dean: Mouse as usual, your pictures are amazing. What a beautiful baby, you just want to hold and cuddle them, so sweet and soft, again, great pics Mouse
Kathy McCornack: Hi Mo.....BEAUTIFUL! All the pictures are great. I really like the one in the basket...so sweet! Little Miss Nealy is precious:)
Bobby Dean: I wonder what she is thinking. Something sweet, I'm sure