The "A Photographer To Top All Other Photographers!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Checking my new MacBook Air when I came across a local online story about a young girl named Morgan Smoker.  Story began with...Hi there!  I'm so glad you're here!  I'm Morgan!  I'm a daughter, friend and photographer who is passionate about capturing memories and glorifying God with my talents.  I am in a wheelchair and I talk using a communication device.  I am able to operate my camera fully with my device!  I've loved taking photos since I was a freshman in high school.  I cherish making people feel good about themselves and I would love to capture your memories.  My experience is mainly in natural light portraiture and wedding photography, but I do enjoy, and have studied studio photography.  Capturing photos shares many of God's masterpieces, and I have an eye for it!  I can't wait to meet you and capture your story!  Let's chat!  Morgan is a 22 year old resident of nearby Gordonville who enjoys playing by the family pool, listening to country music, working, going to church and taking photographs.  She travels, cheers for the Philadelphia Eagles and likes to go to the park with her Yorkie dog named Roxy.  And, she really enjoys making ironic comments on the internet!  And...all this is done while sitting in an electric wheelchair with the help of an Accent 1400 communication device, a machine that assists in composing messages and loading pre-programmed responses. Morgan's message is displayed on the screen and verbalized with a computerized voice.  The machine can also sen emails and text messages.  To operate the Accent 1400 Morgan moves the cursor on the screen through a dot sensor on her forehead.  Morgan was born with glutamic acuduria type 1 which is a hereditary disease that prevents the body from processing certain proteins.  But, Morgan says that even people think she can't do anything, she is 100% mentally competent.  Guitaric acuduria type 1 is found from time to time in the Amish community according to Adam Heaps who is the managing director of the Strasburg Clinic for Special Children where Morgan is treated.  The disease affects 1 in 250 people in the Amish community.  But, neither Morgan, or her parents, were raised Amish.  She did have a grandmother who was Amish, but left the Amish community when she was 16 years old.  When Morgan was only a few months old she became ill and was taken to the hospital.  Her illness was discovered and did result in some brain damage.  She can't walk, talk or control her hands, but can chew and swallow food.  Greg Finger, Morgan's boyfriend, says that the only thing she can't do is walk.  Greg and Morgan want all people with disabilities to know that just because they might be in a wheelchair doesn't mean they can't be successful.  And...I must admit...after seeing her photography...she is 100% correct.  Her Accent 1400 machine helps her take her photographs, but composing her photographs takes place in her head.  And, she does a fantastic job of composing her photographs.  

Morgan Smoker, Professional Photographer

Morgan began taking photographs shortly after attending the Lancaster County Career & Technology Center.  She now takes wedding photos, portraitures and works for Dutch Wonderland Amusement Park taking photos at their "Get the Picture" stand.  She also enjoys going to New Holland's worship center when not taking photos.  She says that it is her faith that plays a major role in her life and success.  "Our God works in a mysterious way, and I love him for it," she says.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.