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8 Keys to a Successful Mother Daughter Trip

Posted on April 17, 2018September 28, 2023 by Tressie

There is nothing better than spending a one on one trip alone with one of my kids – getting to know them as an individual, bonding, making memories. Over the years I have noticed that the most memorable mother daughter trips have a few things in common…

1. A common goal or project

The easiest way to ensure that you spend your time together bonding and making memories, is to plan the trip with a common goal or project in mind. This common goal can be as simple as a puzzle that is worked on in a rural cabin after peaceful days of hiking, a location scavenger hunt or a photo challenge like the “11 photos you should take if you want to” that Riley and I created to rebel against an article indicating that you should not take these photos. The best thing about photo challenges is that the end result is a collection of photo memories. Google “photo challenge” for a premade list, or inspiration to create your own!

Jumping at Silver Lake Sand Dunes — The requisite “jumping” photo for our annual photo challenge

2. Plan for rainy days/changes in plan

Even the best laid plans can be derailed by weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Always be prepared with a backup plan. When visiting Hocking Hills, our backup plan in case of rain was the same as our common goal – working on the puzzle in the cabin. We lucked out and it didn’t rain, but it was nice to know that no matter what happened we had something to do, together.

3. Try/learn something new together

Riley and I went rock climbing for the first time one our mother daughter trip to Hocking Hills, Ohio. Alex and I went paddle boarding in Santa Rosa, California. Be brave, be adventurous. Zip lines, haunted houses, cross country skiing – there are so many things to try! It doesn’t matter if you fail, or whether you ever do it again. What matters is that you experience something new, together. These are the life moments that you will never forget. Next up – a Segway tour. I have no idea where, but it’s on the bucket list!

4. Make time for familiar activities that you already enjoy

One of our “try something new” activities on a family vacation years ago was geocaching. It has now become an activity we do nearly every time we travel. Whether finding the physical “treasures” of a traditional cache or discovering the beauty of our travel location with an earth cache, geocaching is usually a can’t miss activity for a mother daughter trip. Whether it’s hiking, an Escape Room or mini golf, be sure to make time for familiar activities.

5. Create traditions

Make your mother daughter trip an annual tradition. Make it a priority to spend at least a weekend together, with no responsibilities or distractions other than the plans you have made with each other. If you find an activity that you both enjoy that can be done anywhere, make it a tradition to do that (or a variation of it) each year during your scheduled trip. Or even as a small getaway for the two of you from a larger family trip. For example, always follow the same photo challenge list, or always try a famous restaurant or new food. Riley and I intend to do our “11 photos you should take if you want to” challenge during each new mother daughter vacation. 11 identical but different photos of our adventures, each with it’s own story or private joke.

A West Michigan Sunset — Do sunsets look the same, wherever you travel?

6. Visit the same place every year…or make it a point to explore a new place each year

So far, my daughters and I have primarily visited new places each year for our mother daughter trips. Alex and I have had the places chosen for us by default, as her figure skating schedule dictates dates and locations (I am NOT complaining, as Portland, Oregon and Santa Rosa, California were gorgeous and so much fun!), while Riley and I have stayed driving distance but with more freedom to choose the final destination (Hocking Hills, OH; Silver Lake Sand Dunes, MI). When traveling to more familiar places with the whole family, we do have favorite places to “get away” to – one we would recommend is Ding Darling on Sanibel Island, our must see when vacationing at Nana’s house in Fort Myers, Florida. Whether you hike or drive, Ding Darling is well worth the visit.

JN Ding Darling, Sanibel Island, FL — A Ding Darling Sunrise, Sanibel Island, FL

7. Find unique/cool places to eat

Whether it’s VooDoo Donuts in Portland, or the best hamburgers in Michigan, be sure to check out the food recommended by locals. We have had ice cream for dinner, searched out food trucks, and eaten at festivals. Make it a point to seek out food that you cannot get at home. (And seriously, if you are in West Michigan, go to Brown Bear in Pentwater and get a burger)

Food Trucks in Portland, OR — Lunch with the Coliseum Comets at the block of Food Trucks in Portland Oregon. All that variety and Alex chose pizza – go figure.

8. Make time for nature/quiet time

This one is tough for me. I tend to feel like I always have to be planning something, going somewhere or “accomplishing” something, – when the whole point of the mother daughter trip is the person with me. All of the goals, projects and adventure are secondary to the relationship that those activities are intended to foster. So take a nature break. Hike. Make time for quiet togetherness. Walk together, sit together, talk, listen. Enjoy the beautiful person and relationship that your mother daughter trip is intended to celebrate.

Do you take annual trips with someone special? I would love to hear your stories, tips and suggestions – comment below!

All of us are a work in progress

Posted on April 12, 2018September 23, 2023 by Tressie

All of us are a work in progress

We all have regrets
Forgive yourself
Offer Grace to others
Every day make an effort to be a better version of yourself
Pay it forward
Tell someone how much you appreciate them
Let the past go
Breathe

Portraits on Railroad Tracks – Just Say No

Posted on March 27, 2018September 28, 2023 by Tressie

So you like portraits on railroad tracks? Railroad tracks are cool, right? Thinking of getting your photos done on the tracks? Seniors? Weddings? Prom? Sports? Band? Selfies? Just Don’t.

PLEASE DON’T.

Locally, I have seen so many people disregarding the law (and their own safety) by crossing the tracks in non-designated areas and taking photos on the tracks, that I feel compelled to speak out with a few reminders.

It’s Not Safe.

Stay safe by staying off the train tracks. In 2016, there were 994 pedestrian trespass casualties (fatalities & injuries). Source: Operation Lifesaver

Did you know?

modern trains are quieter and faster than you may believe
it can take a train a mile or more to come to a full stop
trains overhang the tracks by at least three feet.
a person or vehicle is hit by a train approximately every three hours across the US

People taking photos or videos seem to continuously disregard the actual danger of photos on the tracks.

October 2011 – Selfie Tragedy Forever Impacts Those Left Behind

February 2014 – ‘Midnight Rider’ Crew Fleeing Train Tracks Seconds before Deadly Crash that Killed Camera Assistant

June 2014 – Photographer Struck and Killed by Train During Photo Shoot (Missouri)

July 2015 – Photographer Killed by Train During Photo Shoot (Fresno, CA)

September 2015 – John DeReggi 16 years old

March 2017 – Fredzania Thompson 19 years old

Yes these incidents are spread out over several years – I chose the most publicized ones, that dealt specifically with photography/videography. You would think that someone using the train tracks for a specific purpose, would be even more cognizant of watching out for trains. I’m going to give all of these people the benefit of the doubt and assume that they WERE paying attention, and just did not realize they were going to be hit until it was too late.

Still think you would hear a train before it could “sneak up on you”? The Today Show conducted an experiment to determine at what point a person would hear a train coming. Watch the video: CSX Today Show Video

That video should scare anyone who walks casually along the tracks, or who cross in areas other than legal, designated crossings.

It’s Illegal

Walking on railroad tracks, railroad right of way (the areas on both sides of the track) or railroad bridges is illegal. Regardless of whether your intentions are good or bad….IT’S ILLEGAL. Trespassing on railroad property is usually a misdemeanor, with penalties ranging from $100 to $1,000 and some jail time, depending on the state. If your trespass results in the injury or death of someone else, you could face felony charges. Is that potential penalty really worth the time you saved by not walking over to the designated legal crossing??

Photographers: note that a photo distributed on the web can be used as evidence of trespassing.

An article with additional information HERE.

It’s Played Out

It’s not cool. Not hip. Not edgy. It’s Played out. Photos on tracks are tired. Lame.

My opinion, I get it. I hate selective color as well and that cliche continues to play out in my social media feed as well, so yeah, I get that not everyone shares my opinion. (but seriously? selective color? BLECH)

Train track portraits are NOT a new idea. Don’t seniors/engaged couples/families want images that reflect who they are, and not some cliche metaphor on new horizons, a symbolic journey (or whatever it is you are going for)? Why on earth would a person want a cliche image that has been used over and over again as long as I can remember? Unless you are a conductor or have some sort of tie to the railroad railroad industry, it just doesn’t make sense (and if you are in the industry, you should have the resources to know why these photos are a bad idea and/or a way to secure authorization from the railroad to do it safely).

Even if you disagree with my assessment of how “un-special” these images are, surely we can agree that they are not special enough to risk your life.

But You Did It!!

“But, but, but…..YOU did it, and I have photos of yours like that!”. Yes, I know. I’m sorry. At the time I didn’t know any better. Now I do. I am thankful that no one was hurt on my watch. I cannot change what I have done in the past, but I can do better moving forward.

As a professional photographer it is my responsibility to not only know the law, but to do everything in my power to keep my clients safe. I no longer shoot on railroad tracks (not since 2011), and I would question the integrity of any “professional” who continues to shoot on live tracks after so many public campaigns for rail safety – including many aimed specifically at photographers. If you are in the industry you have seen them, and there is no excuse.

It’s bad enough that the general public disregards the danger, but above all, professional photographers should NOT be shooting on the train tracks.

Educating Photographers and the Public

Operation Lifesaver will accept reports and contact the offending parties directly.

To report illegal activity (or a photo taken) on railroad tracks, contact your OLI State Coordinator. If it’s a photo, contact the OLI State Coordinator in the state where the photo was taken, and include a direct link to the photos location and any contact information you may have on the photographer or organization using the image. These reports are anonymous, and the OLI will contact the person/photographer/organization directly to educate them.

The second national U.S. Rail Safety Week (RSW) will be from September 23-29, 2018 to raise rail safety awareness across the U.S. Learn more HERE.

Further reading to educate yourself or to share

Operation Lifesaver urges Professional Photographers to Stay Safe

Amtrak Corporate Guidelines on Photography and Video Recording

Union Pacific – Tracks are for Trains

I’m not alone as a photographer taking a stand – there are many other articles by photographers or photography groups. Below are a few of my favorites.

4 Reasons You shouldn’t take Portraits on Tracks – SLR Lounge

Railroad Safety for Photographers – Digital Photography School

Train Track Sessions are Illegal – Bonell Photography

Book Covers and Serendipity

Posted on February 26, 2018September 23, 2023 by Tressie

Riley on a book cover?

Sometimes serendipity strikes when you least expect it – a happy series of events has lead to a small adventure and new friends for Riley and me.

Scrolling through my social media accounts last November, catching up on everything my friends were up to, I was startled by a text out of the blue from a friend who I had not heard from in several months.

The text was simple. A photo of a book, and the words “Look familiar!!”

I read the text, and did a double take. Wait. OMG. Is that? Holy crap, Riley is on a book cover!!!!

I sell several of my older images as microstock, and this photo of 8 year old Riley has been one of my most popular to date. But…this is the first time I have seen it (or any others) on a book cover.

I immediately texted Riley, who responded “That’s so cool! Can we buy it”

Of course we can!!!!

After having a few minutes to think about it, I decided that I would take it one step further and contact the author to see if I could somehow purchase a signed copy.

Without telling Riley my plan, I reached out to author Leah Weiss the morning of December 3. Leah responded immediately, and after a short exchange of messages, let me know that not only was she in Michigan visiting family, but that she had free time and would love to meet Riley in person.

What?? My goal of purchasing a book had turned into a meet and greet with the author!! Talk about serendipity – what are the odds that when I decided to contact Leah, she was only an hour from my house?

The meeting was all we could have hoped for and more. Leah and her husband Dave are positively the sweetest they could be, and Riley and I greatly enjoyed our time with them.

We talked about books, and reading, and how Riley and I could not wait to read “If The Creek Don’t Rise”. We talked about family, and growing up, and basketball, and never giving up on your dreams. It was like a visit with old friends, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.

A few photos and some hugs, our time together in person was over all too soon, but the memories made and friendship forged will last forever.

If the Creek Don’t Rise – Leah Weiss

I have since read “If The Creek Don’t Rise”, and highly recommend it. A beautifully portrayed portrait of life in Appalachia, I was transported to another place in time. Throughout the entire story I found myself rooting for Sadie Blue, seeing a strength and power in her that she did not see in herself. As each character was introduced I felt as if I were meeting each one personally, gaining an insight into their motivations and changing my perceptions and assumptions of who I thought they were. The end…the end is not what I expected…but perfect.

I am a photographer, not a book reviewer – so…you really should just read the book and see for yourself.

Find “If The Creek Don’t Rise” on Amazon, or at any major retailer.

PS – local folks stay tuned. Author Leah Weiss will be visiting Michigan in August 2018 for her book tour. The Michigan leg of her tour may include a special guest (or two)…shhhhhh…