Welcome to my page…here you’ll find what’s always on my mind and in my heart…this space allows me to be all out there…without fear. This is my story…LISTEN…hear my words and take them in. This page allows me to speak my mind and tell you what my heart says. I’m extremely passionate about writing and photography. I wear my heart on my sleeves.

 

My name is Monique, but growing up I preferred to be called Katie. Whichever you prefer is fine with me. I am an extremely passionate Writer and Photographer in the DMV area (Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia). I am currently working on my dream of building my own Photography business Passionate Focus MKO Photography b.k.a. Monique K. O'Donnell Photography. I have dreamt of becoming a photographer since I was a little girl, but I only truly realized my dream when I was in High School. When my dream came to fruition I was in my second year of Photography and I was encouraged by my teacher Bruce to compete in the annual Photography competition for V.I.C.A. Skills. I competed and won my first competition, first in District and then proceeded to win second in state. I was always passionate about photography, it was my second love. I always had a determination to capture each and every moment as a little girl. I admired the pictures my Grandfather took, and the way he saw and captured people. He truly had a gift for seeing people, a gift for capturing their very essence. I use to love looking back on all the memories he captured throughout his life, and the lives of his children. All the moments and lives that he was apart of and captured. I wanted to be exactly like him and live an abundant life full of just as many captured memories.

 

Pictures truly capture a moment, a cherished, unforgettable memory forever frozen in time. A snapshot, which when held can bring back the most profound memories, coming alive like a video playing in your mind as if no time has passed at all. A picture has an uncanny ability to trigger the deepest emotion, a familiar scent, a favorite song, a memory long gone, but forever captured in an instant. A picture has the ability to bring someone back from a moment in time, long after they're gone.

 

My first love was always writing, ever since I was 7 years old. My Grandfather taught me how to write at the very young age of 7, the first thing he taught me was the beauty of poetry. I became addicted to the written word. He was extremely patient and as he shared his love for writing with me, it became my passion as well. My Grandfather was an extremely talented writer and photographer. I can only dream to aspire to be as successful as he was one day.

 

Over the last few years, I had to cut back on my photography and the hours I could dedicate to my photography because I had my beautiful daughter Maliyah in 2012. I wanted to dedicate, cherish, and spend my time raising her, as a stay at home Mother. It was extremely important to be there for every moment and all of her firsts because my Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles were there for mine. I wouldn't trade it for anything. As time progresses, I am slowly taking on more and more hours to dedicate to my photography, as my schedule allows. I'm a different type of photographer. I'm always eager and open to any assignment, and up for any challenge. I don't have a favorite genre and I don't believe in limiting oneself to your strong suits. I will work hard and do my best to reach my client's goal or desired shots, and I don't stop until the client is happy. At the moment, I’m improving my skills and building my experience and my portfolio. If you’re interested in helping me. Let me know.

 

You can contact me at: PassionateFocusMKO@gmail.com

  

If you like what you read and what you see, let me know… you can also view more of my writing and whatever else crosses my mind on my first blog at:

ODonnellKM.wordpress.com

AND IF YOU’VE GOT A STORY TO TELL…I’M HERE TO LISTEN! It’s one thing to tell a story but a different matter to hear one….I’M CURIOUS…WHO ARE YOU?…AND WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

  

Also feel free to add either my personal Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/DCKitty18

or my photography Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/PassionateFocus.MKO

to become better acquainted with me if you are more comfortable with this social network instead of Flickr.

 

Thank you for taking the time to quench your curiosity and stop by my page...I look forward to hearing from you.

  

--Enjoy the rest of your day,

Monique "Katie" O'Donnell