Today was the long awaited newborn session for Maggie and Allie’s little sister, Katie.
Back story (bear with me)…I first met this family when Maggie was born. I stalked Jenny and Andrew as they fought Allie’s cancer, and my heart broke when I heard of her passing. When Jenny was close to her due date with Maggie I took a deep breath and emailed a woman I’d never met, admitted I was a stalker, but was also a photographer and would love to gift their family with a newborn session to capture their new baby girl. NO RESPONSE (mock huff: CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? lol). So what’s a stalker to do? Why, EMAIL AGAIN, OF COURSE!
So I did, and this time she took a look at the site (I believe they were still in the hospital?), emailed back, and a date was set.
That session, is TO DATE, the hardest, most emotional, most poignant session I have ever had. I didn’t know this family, they didn’t know me, but they opened their home and their hearts to me and my camera. It was, in a word, raw. The emotion just bubbled up through every sweet moment with their daughter, and their missing angel was so THERE. I remember distinctly getting into my car after their session ended to drive home, putting my head on my steering wheel, and crying tears of sorrow, anguish, and joy (I still tear up, just writing these words. Jenny…I am so blessed to know you).
Fast forward four years and we have become dear friends (BFF’s, if you will). I was honored to be asked to document Katie’s arrival last week, and knew immediately that today would be so very different from our very first session together. And it was.
Joy, confidence, laughter, and happiness filled every room of their home. Of course, there were still tears. Sweet Allie is still just around the corner…her absence will always, ALWAYS be felt. But her sisters now have each other to grow with, to fill their parents’ hearts, and to honor the legacy that is Allie.
The image that caused immediate tears…
45 Comments
Gorgeous…simply gorgeous photos of Kate and her family. I, too, was a “stalker/lurker/concerned follower” of the baby Allie website.
I’m not sure how I found the site, but at the time I had two friends who were battling different types of leukemia: the husband of a mom friend and a little boy who my daughter had gone to preschool with. Both relapsed, needed bone marrow transplants, and thankfully are well today.
While checking on my friends’ websites, I found other websites. At one time I was following so many family’s journeys through cancer and other illnesses. I was saddened by the pain and overjoyed when a child recovered. My husband did not understand why I was constantly checking websites, but for me it was my way of letting the families know that I was with them on their journey…reading the posts, leaving a comment, and praying for them.
Through Jenny and her writing on Baby Allie’s website, I found you and Tracey and Amy. I’ve never met any of you, but feel connected to all of you through blog posts, tweets, etc.
I’ve been waiting for these since reading Jenny’s tweets yesterday! Love love love love them, Jen. I look up to you as a photographer, since I’m an aspiring one myself! Thanks so much for ALL the wonderful photos you post.
I have been following this family too for 6 YEARS! I feel like I know them. I love photography and I think your work is stunning not only for the emotions you capture but everyone’s skin looks like porcelin. How do you do it? Is it lighting? Do you retouch afterward? I would love to know. That b&w one at the end is absolutley gorgerous. You are an amazing photographer. Truly.
Amy
oh friend. sheer, raw talent. beauty. purity. i don’t even know what to say. i love you. i love that you share your talent so generously.
hats off for this one…
Amazing! Gorgeous! I have started out following Allie’s story followed by Maggie’s birth and now little Katie.
Jen, your work is some of the most beautiful and heart warming I have seen.
Jenny (if you read this) your ‘story’ has been an inspiration, education and window into what individuals/families go through in cases like your Allie’s. I think of what I have read as you have moved from those days with Allie to those without her physically but never out of your heart and once Maggie was born etc. and have used your words to remind me of how to ‘be there’ for others in similar situations. Congratulations to you and Andrew and Maggie on the birth of this newest of darlings. Blessings to your group of precious girlfriends … I know that I treasure my ‘angel friends’ and the moments of life that we share.
Jen, your story of Coco and how she has added so much to your lives has been amazing and inspirational. Love is truly at the center of it all and that is probably why your photographic work is so amazing.
Oh. Mah. Guh. Beautiful pictures! Just unbelievably beautiful. I, too, have been a stalker since Allie was diagnosed. I even helped run one of the MSN groups that were formed. But I’ve never commented. But I had to this time, because you are so incredibly talented, it makes me want to move to TX so I can get my kids’ pictures done. The last picture, for sure, is my favorite, and the necklace picture is precious. The love you all have for each other is immeasurable, and I love reading all about your adventures.
Im a stalker too! (And now a stalker of yours!)
Ah! MAY! ZING!
The tearjerker photo…caused some tears for me too! Beautiful and so sweet!
Maggie is ADORABLE!! I love her hair! So beautiful!
Great Job!!
Sheer beauty. I agree, this is one of my favorite shoots you’ve done. Huge fan! Wish we lived closer because I’d be booking a session…fast! Great job!
Maggie looks just like Jenny!!! I love the picture of the three girls. We still think about Allie today.
love these photos.. i too have followed the Scotts since Allie and these photos melt my heart.. you are a pure genius at capturing the love..
I only wish I lived closer so you could photograph my girls.. !!!
Lisa and Dawn couldn’t have said it better. I have also been “stalking” Jenny and family since Allie was sick, and I have felt an attachment to their family even though I have never met them. I was so jealous of the gorgeous pictures Jenny would always post of Maggie, and now of both girls, and I too want to move to Texas for the sole purpose of having the honor of having you take pictures of my 3 children. The picture of all three of the girls “together” brought me to tears….priceless. I can’t wait to see the future priceless pictures you are sure to take of their two sweet girls….thank you for blessing us with a little slice of sunshine.
I’ve first knew jenny from thr bbc boards. We were both in the dec 03 birthclub! I was there the day jenny wrote the fateful post that something was wrong with little allie! Then of course I followed her story on her own site and I would get up in the middle of the night to check for posts. Can not believe its been 6 years! Of course I’ve followed them since and the girls are just beautiful.I see a lot of allie in katie , maggie I’ve loved watching grow the past 4 yrs. So happy for the scott family!
Oh, I can’t stop the tears. These are just so rich and perfect. So happy for this beautiful family. LOVE them and you.
Well it’s nice to know that I’m not the only “stalker”
All the other comments could have easily been mine. I have followed the Scott family since Allie got sick too. I would get up in the middle of the night to check for updates on Allie.
Seeing Jenny and Andrew with their girls is so precious. The picture of the three sisters….I was in tears instantly.
Jen you are the BEST photographer…the way you capture emotions is such a gift.
These photos…like all the others you take…are simply amazing!
Your pictures are so beautiful, so inspiring!! I’ve gotten to know Jenny through volunteering for Heroes for Children. You captured their beautiful family so perfectly!
there are no words to describe how absolutely stunning these shots are….. your other photos are beautiful, but in these it’s so clear the connection you have to this family…..your talent is a great gift.
Jennifer,
I am so proud to call you family. You truly have gift! And I’m not just talking about your photography. The way you are able to tell a story makes me feel like I know each one of your sessions personally. The heart you have for others is so huge!
I still can’t believe this all started just 5 years ago, when you asked if you could come take some pictures of Jarret. Now, look how far you’ve come! It’s like you’ve been doing this your whole life! I’m honored to be part of your life and be able to meet your amazing friends like Jenny and her family. Thanks for sharing your life with us all! I love you!
You are an amazing photographer!!! I have been folling the scotts since Allie was ill. I wish you lived closer to me. You are incredible! And those Scott girls could not be cuter!! Great job once again!
Thank you EVERYONE for your sweet comments. It’s funny how many of us found Jenny through BBC and stalking Allie’s blog
Sorry if the blog is acting funny…it’s been overwhelmed with blog hits (we set a new record last night! WOOT WOOT), and the server is trying to keep up.
If you tried to comment and it kicked you off, my apologies
Try again? I LOOOOVE reading these, they absolutely make my day 
Also-big love to you, my dear Scotts <3. Love you always!
Jen
Just brilliant—- the colors- the tones- the lighting— perfect…. So beautiful!!
Jen, these photos are so gorgeous, as are all of yours. I too am a Jenny stalker who first “met” her on bbc dec ’03. I can remember reading her post of Allie’s birth story as well as all the others to follow. It is so wonderful to be able to see this beautiful family and the love they share. Simply amazing how you are able to capture it in photos. I wish I was in Texas so that you could photograph my 4 boys, so far it has proven to be an impossible job!! Thank you for sharing these, and to the Scott family for sharing their lives with so many of us.
Jen, your blog entry brought so many tears to my eyes that it took me forever to look at these amazing pictures. Your photography is truly a gift and I couldn’t be more proud of my daughter, son-in-law and adorable granddaughters! I love how you honored Allie and how your pictures tell the story. As always, it was great to see you.
I needed a good cry today. You have gorgeous girls, Jenny! And fabulous work as always, Jen.
I’ve been following the Scott family for six years now, too. The tearjerker photo – perfect! Yes, it brought tears to my eyes but it was simply beautiful. You are wonderfully talented and I’m so glad you found this family. Wish you could photograph my girls!!!
Your work is absolutely wonderful. If only you were in PA. The pic of the three girls is amazing…where’s the tissues? I’ve followed the Scotts for years, since Allie was sick. I’ve followed your journey for quite a while…before Coco. All your pics capture such love and beauty.
Wish you could have gotten some photos w/Brandy.
Your work & this family are simply amazing! I like so many, have fallen in love with Jenny & her family from the BabyCenter days…you have out done yourself in capturing all that is wonderful, heartbreaking and miraculous with this family.
And one of these days I will have to seriously entertain the possibility of my very own “Sugar Shoot”….keep up the incredible work, you are one outstanding photographer!
-Jen aka VinoMommy
one word….WOW….your photography as always is absolutely stunning. What gorgeous photos these are. I am too a “stalker”
of jenny’s blog and came across it the very week Allie gained her angel wings, my thoughts are always with them and what absolutely stunning prinesses. Well done, ♥ your work
From one stalker to another, GORGEOUS. What sweet, precious pictures.
Maggie’s eyes just kill me. What a proud middle sister!!
These pictures are absolutely beautiful and the picture of Allie in the locket is simply amazing.
Wow – great shots Jen.
Jen, really! These are fabulous, like all your photos, however this family holds a special place in my heart! Met them the same way you did, its been 5 yrs now Jenny has let me (and the rest of the world)be a part of their special family, you did a great job, I want to say the one of Maggie laying down, eyes shut, Katie in arms, soaking in the moment is my favorite! I really love them all! I have a neice that is relocating from MN to DFw area soon! She wants your number, she has 2 adorable adopted babies (16 mos. and 2 weeks old). Can’t wait to see what you pull out of your hat, I think you are a super photographer!! Keep up the great work….
Just another old school stalker here wanting to tell you how beautiful these pictures are… like you don’t know already!
I have a December 2003 baby too (December 16) so I am one of the “original” BBC stalkers who has continued to stalk and now LOVE Sugar Photography and have a slight obsession for Minivan Mom. lol… I was actually in Dallas for a bowl game around New Year’s and wondered if I might see any of you fun girls out somewhere and had already decided to NOT say anything so I wouldn’t appear stalker-ish! BEAUTIFUL work, Jen,and I love “seeing” such happiness in the Scott family. Thanks for sharing!
In tears. Again. Thank you for sharing those beautiful photos. Again. Can’t believe how the time flies but the heart never forgets.
All of them are great but I LOVE that last one! Mom and Dad really need to get that one big!
Gorgeous, gorgeous! Beautiful work. As always, I love your eye…hope you are well.
PB
Amazing images! I too was an avid stalker of Jenny, Andrew & Allie….my heart broke along with thousands of others the day sweet Allie gained her wings. I am so incredibly happy that Jenny has kept up her blog to share the Scott family’s life with us for all these years. I am also a photogrpaher, except I am incredibly far away, in Summerside PEI, Canada. The Scott’s story & your images have touched so many people. A huge congrats to the Scotts, & keep up the great work Jen!
WOW….breathtaking!!
Wow. Just wow. These are some of the most amazing photographs I have ever seen. Such beauty and full of life and family. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and their beauty with us.
Wow you do great work. I keep coming back to take a look at these sweet pictures. I love your style. If you ever get a chance…I would so appreciate your thoughts on my pictures (on my blog). I just got a digital SLR camera (Nikon) about a year ago and have been playing with it. I keep it set on automatic (portrait setting) all the time still…not sure about all the other setting yet. I need to take more classes and I also need to learn how to use Photoshop Elements (just got it for Christmas and haven’t had time to play with it yet). Anyways…like I said…I’d love your feedback!
Thanks,
Kelly
DE-LURKING also! I was a Scott family stalker also! I still talk about Baby Allie!!! Jen these pictures are simply breathtaking SERIOUSLY!!! I remember Maggie taking on the bunny as well!!! I just LOVE the one w/Maggie, Katie and the photo of Allie!!! Definitely a tearjerker!!!!
Oh my gosh!!! I am reading blogs {stalking is you will} that I love while doing my hair. Now I have to re-do my makeup!!! I think of Jenny often and her strength. I’m sooo glad you took the chance and emailed her. Your photos ae GREAT!!!!
Oh, immediate tears is right. What beautiful, beautiful pictures, and what an amazing family. Thank you for sharing with the rest of us
I, too, cyber-stalked the Scott’s during Allie’s illness and have continued to “check-in” on them over the years. I have to say, you are the most talented photographer I have ever seen. The photo’s you have taken for the Scott’s (and others though I know your work throught the pics of the Scott’s) are breathtaking. You have a way of capturing true beauty in everyone. I hope you are very proud of your work. If I didn’t live in Washington, I’d pay anything for family shoot in your hands!
Wow-what huge praise! Thank you so much!!
I consider myself blessed to know the Scotts, they are a truly incredible family.
XO,
Jen