A PSA
I’ve received a few emails and comments about Brayden’s pictures on the train tracks. I want to let everyone know that those are dead tracks. No trains travel on them! I may do a lot of crazy things to get a shot, but putting my child on real train tracks where real, big, fast trains travel is not one of them. I would highly suggest that you do not put your two year old (or anyone else’s two year old) with suitcases and a birthday cake on real train tracks. Seriously. I was shooting an engagement session last year and we were shooting out in the middle of nowhere, but close to a train track. The couple was probably 10 feet away from the track and out of nowhere comes a train. I did not hear it. I did not feel the ground rumble. As I was taking those pictures I thought it would be cool to have the couple on the tracks. Had they been on the tracks I honestly don’t know if the train would have seen them / us. The whole thing really scared me! It’s just not worth it!
Onto happier topics, I love what Kristen is doing over on her blog:
I’m totally guilty of blogging about the happier times and sugarcoating things a bit. But, I think the better pictures come with happier times. I mean, how many crying pictures can I really post?
Because there’s a lot of this that goes on in our house, trust me! But I would rather post the pictures of the times when we are having fun!
Now, if you follow my tweets there isn’t anything sugarcoated over there! In fact, I think I probably tweet to much. I’m guilty of tweeting before I think.
About DrewB
I’ve started this blog as a way to connect with other moms who love photography. Whether you are a professional photographer who is looking for advice on how to manage your own business and your family or if you are a mom who is looking for tips on how to take better pictures of your kids, I hope that you can find some good information and be inspired!
Absolutely cracks me up that people would comment to you about the train tracks. Wow people. I’m seriously shaking my head. Love your pictures even if they are of a crying baby. You’re an awesome photographer!!! I’m trying to learn how to take pictures, just for my own benefit, of my kids. If you’re ever bored, which I doubt you are, I have been posting my pics on my blog. I would love your critique and suggestions!!!!!!!! I’m just trying to get to know my camera right now and a bit of photo editing.
It’s also worth noting that it is actually illegal to shoot on train tracks — active or not in most states. There are very few locations where this activity is considered legal. Photographers have been fined and even jailed for shooting on train tracks. Overall, it’s best to avoid them! Shooting on non-working tracks is considered trespassing at the very least: http://www.fra.dot.gov/Downloads/PubAffairs/FRA_tresspassing_fact_sheet_FINAL.pdf
my husband is a railroader, so i get a lot of stories from life on the road when he comes hom… and i can tell you that if the train HAD seen you, all they could have done was throw it into emergency, and watch as you were liquidated on the front. trains take a very long time to stop, even when the emergency brakes are on. there’s no way they could have stopped in time regardless of how quickly they saw you. glad you didn’t shoot on live track.
.-= Nobody´s last blog ..Summer Imaginings =-.
Wow! People really are funny! Maybe you could post about ‘hobbies you could do, instead of nit-picking blogs’. I love your blog and think it’s great. It’s CLEAR to the regular reader that you would NEVER put your child in harms way.
LOL
.-= Kristi´s last blog ..Deliciously Tired =-.
Thank you Shannon! I agree!
I’m with Shannon. So funny what people will spend their time chastizing other people for– especially bloggers. And I’m so with Kristen and the “keeping it real” deal. That’s life! (Funny, I blogged on that theme today too.)
.-= Tegan and Tage´s last blog ..Ever have… =-.
I echo what Shannon said- regular readers KNOW that you would NEVER put Brayden in harm’s way! But I WAS super curious about how you pulled those pics off! They were AMAZING!
.-= Sarah Craig´s last blog ..Insanity =-.
It never even occurred to me that you would have been shooting on tracks that were still used! They were beautiful shots, btw!
.-= Jess´s last blog ..Easy Peasy week =-.
Strange that someone would think you would endanger B in any way. And by strange, I mean totally rude. Sorry, but I like the people who don’t point out the obvious to make you feel crummy for no reason. I’m sure they were trying to help. Let’s hope that was the purpose.
.-= Kimmie´s last blog ..Panilly =-.
I think as a photographer you are allowed to show all the pretty pictures – that’s why we come here.
And good thing I know personally that you would NEVER trespass for a shot. I mean, if there was a posted sign saying that an area was closed . . . hee hee.
Whatever, so lame! I totally dig your RR pictures, Drew. And it never crossed my mind that you’d put Brayden in danger for a cool shot.
Also, I just went to our local train station 2 weeks ago to ask about shooting on the tracks, which are live, though VERY slow-moving, like maybe 3-5 mph. Anyway, I specifically asked him if it was illegal and he said “no, it’s legal. we just ask that you stay off any locomotives as that’s a liability”. So, there ya have it, at least in Oregon, it’s not illegal to be on the train tracks.
Drew, I’ve got your back!
WOW! People never cease to amaze me these days! You are always doing wonderful things and give us such great info and people have to knock you for something. I think you rock and your photography is radtastic!
(and all else who are wondering) =-.
.-= Erica´s last blog ..This ones for Courtney
I love the sweet pictures you post and the wonderful insight! Thanks for your tips.
.-= Amanda ´s last blog ..Big Bed =-.
I would most definitely not trespass. Especially not while carrying a couch and a police helicopter circling overhead. Not me!
You did an awesome job with those pictures. You are so creative and I am always learning new things from you!!!! Loves it
.-= Evie Perez´s last blog ..TO GO OR NOT TO GO?!?!?! =-.