He began rummaging through the bag immediately picking up the first thing he came to and ripping open the wrapper… and my eyes began to water. In the back of my mind, I kept thinking….”and we were going throw it away!”. You see, this year at WPPI we ourselves were trying to be more “cost effective” so…
I thought about it the whole way there…..trying to imagine what it might feel like. Thinking in my mind how my Mom had me when she was barely 16 and that (lets face it) I was an accident—or in other terms, an unplanned pregnancy, a surprise of sorts. THEN on the other end of the pregnancy spectrum,…
7 comments
[...] the reception subscribe contact May 16 2012 surrogacy: jack has arrived!!! | jen mcken, photographyPosted in Babies & Bellies~Pivotal Moments Quite frankly….I’m speechless! I had all these things I wanted to say about how amazing today was…..it was a LONG day…but AMAZING….and I’m just overwhelmed with today’s events! I wanted to share a few with you today because TRUST ME, this isn’t ALL of them but I know that some of you have been faithfully following the surrogacy journey I have been covering and are excited for an update! For those of you who may be reading about this for the first time, visit this blog post for more information: Surrogacy: the journey. [...]
i’m in tears! i love every time you post something about this family. we struggled for years to get pregnant (we were only able to with the help of an anonymous donor), and through a turn of events i now “specialize” in birth photography. i’ve recently been toying with the idea of volunteering to be a surrogate/gestational carrier myself. I feel like I can relate to each part of the “triangle” — the parents who couldn’t conceive, (to an extent) the selfless woman carrying their baby, and the lucky observer of such a miracle.
Anyway, I LOVE this! Thanks to everyone involved for sharing. So inspiring! Best wishes to them all 
Jen, I think this is my favorite post of yours (although, they’re all wonderful). What an incredibly beautiful,extraordinary thing for everyone involved. Thank you and them for sharing, I look forward to seeing more.
Jen,
I can’t tell you what emotions this story and images brought out in me. It took me twelve very long years of a journey through my own infertility nightmare before I was able to get pregnant and stay pregnant. We did not use a surrogate but we did use a donor to have our three miracle babies. I am thankful for those who selflessly give up time in their lives so that families such as the one in this story are able to have the one thing that they desire more than anything else…children. I will be watching for the ending/beginning to this amazing story.
That is the coolest – and most beautiful – thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait for the rest of the story.
I have always, always wanted to be a surrogate. This is the coolest set of photos. Thank you and thanks to this family for sharing!
These are awesome! I’m totally in tears! What an amazing story…and equally amazing people. I cannot wait to watch this journey through your viewfinder in the coming months. Prayers for them all!
I thought about it the whole way there…..trying to imagine what it might feel like. Thinking in my mind how my Mom had me when she was barely 16 and that (lets face it) I was an accident—or in other terms, an unplanned pregnancy, a surprise of sorts. THEN on the other end of the pregnancy spectrum,…
4 comments
Jen, this brought tears to my eyes. What an awesome moment to experience with this family.
I LOVE this! Jen, I wish I had seen this before I saw you today, to tell you in person…how special it is you were able to tag along today! Missy is a good friend of mine too! I have a great deal of respect for Missy and her family for what she does to help other people become a “family”. So glad you got to share in this joy and get to share more with all of us!
Fantastic, Jen! What a honor for you to be documenting this joyful event.
Oh My Goodness Jen! I am speechless! Beautiful capture! I could only dream of being able to capture a moment as pure as this! Nice job! My heart is melting! :0)
This post is probably going to be ALL over the place, but I’ve said it before: It’s just how my brain works! This past week I have seen so many of my photography friends and colleagues write their “end of the year”, “best of 2011″, “news year’s resolution” blog posts. I’ve been wanting to post…
7 comments
[...] ….and because every post is better with an image, here is one (that has absolutely nothing to do with weddings)-our most recently THREE 52 Project picture brought to you by my favorite app, Instagram. We went sled riding on this particular day. Want to know more about the THREE 52 project, click here. [...]
Thank you for the inspiration!! I was looking for a personal project for this year and this hit home. Our only daughter will head off to college in a couple of years and I love the thought of having these images in the years to come. Thank you! (my gallery is posted on my site under photography then 2012 life actually)
I have read the article in full and now your blog….really hits home for me. My father was killed in a work accident when I was only 3…so now pictures with him. My mom dies suddenly at 52. She always hated having her picture taken so not picture with her or really even of her.
My daughter does not like having her picture taken, even went on a trip to Sapin and the only picture I have of her is the back of her head.
I say all of this because I understand….I never think I look good enough to have my picture taken but I learned a long time ago to smile and pose for the camera (at least I don’t look bad AND silly)
My children are a little older now and understand how important this is to me…we are never promised tomorrow, so capture today! Hey at least when the look at all of the horrible pictures of me they can laugh at them!!!
Thank you for always sharing you beliefs!!!
Mallory is such a little ham… I love her!
jen, i laughed my butt off at the pic with mallory’s “head” hahaha!! love that you included her even though she wasn’t there! btw…this post reminds me…we NEED to set something up for YOU ASAP!!
Such a profound thought…I always make sure to take pictures of my son, so he can look back on his childhood, but as a family I think we only have 3 pictures together total. Really makes you think…thank you. God bless you and your family.
a tear-jerker, for sure.
I only wish she had asked for one last family portrait…it could mean a lot to her loved ones.
My best wishes to you and your family for the New Year!
He stopped over wearing the same black beanie hat I remember growing up. Not much has changed over the years, he always wears that beanie hat, he’s usually in a black sweat shirt and he ALWAYS wears his watch upside down-that’s to protect the glass you know! It must work, he’s had that thing ever…
4 comments
So cute Jenn. This little diner is where I spent the last 4 years. haha. I get a smile on my face everytime I see your grandma and pap come through the door. They literally order the same thing EVERY time. And your gram always says no potatoes, I’ll just have a few of his. When I bring their plates she takes one or two, and eventually half. haha. This was touching. I just lost my dad this week, and I know that I will cherish the time I have left with my pap.
What a beautiful article! I got so choked up reading it…. you’ve shared a beautiful relationship perfectly! Thank you.
Cherish those moments. Dad used to tell stories all the time, which used to drive me nuts. Now that he’s gone, I miss them; and I find myself being the story teller. I love your references to Western PA, my Grandfather was PapPap and when we’d travel back to PA we would always “drive over the ridge” to get to my Grandmother’s house faster. Your stories bring me back to my western PA roots.
Love the hat! In Canada we call ‘em fisherman’s hats–and your grandfather kinda looks like he’d fit right in on the boat! Sounds like a great guy–how lucky to still have him in your life! And now I want a sausage…
© 2012 Jen McKen Photography|ProPhoto Photo Theme by NetRivet Blogs
"like" me on facebook :-)
by jen mcken
7 comments
Kelly Perkins - Bittersweet. Tears. These men were once children…
patty Marinos - Good grief…either my hormones are way off, or this just got me right in the heart! Tears for you and your friends as you’ve reminded me that there IS goodness in the world today. And, that they are people who truly care about other human beings. I am glad you chose to take the time to find people who would gladly accept the food. You raise the bar…thank you!
Serena - You are my new hero.
Jody - Love Love Love!
deb schaller - Beautiful!! Love in action.
Lisa - That breaks my heart.
How many people walk by and ignore… And we should all be thinking ” nut for the grace of god, there go I.”
cherron - Such a lovely story. ♥ that you guys did this.