One Location In Minnesota Where Its Illegal To Snap Photos

94% of moms experience mom guilt at some point and I'm personally feeling it right now.  I broke the law...and thanks to me, my kids were part of it.  And it was all because I wanted a cute photo of my kids that was snapped in Minnesota.

READ MORE: 15 Items Banned From the Minnesota State Fair This Year

Did You Know It Is Illegal To Take Photos At This One Spot in Minnesota?

I love the families that are on top of taking family photos each year.  Full disclosure - I am not one of those moms.  We rarely have professional photos taken and living in the world of iPhones and selifes, we have quite a few "in the moment" family photos.

I did splurge one year though and had some professional photos taken of my kids.  We walked all around town and they did a few poses in various spots.  These are some of my favorite photos of their adorable faces because they not only incorporated my kids but also places in our town that were a bit artistic.  One spot though where they said, "cheese" was a big no-no.

Railroad tracks have become popular locations to shoot wedding photos, graduation pictures and selfies. However, taking pictures on railroad tracks is illegal and highly dangerous. Operation Lifesaver, Inc., one of FRA's partner organizations, warns photographers and social media users of the dangers of this activity. For everyone's safety, keep subjects off the tracks. - Railroads.dot.gov

 

ABC News shared a heartbreaking story of a family that was taking some fun photos on a railroad track for a school project in a rural area.  Unfortunately, a train came through and one of the kids lost his life that day because he just couldn't get away from the train fast enough.

Why Didn't The Family Hear The Train Coming When They Were Taking Photos on the Railroad Tracks?

Road Foreman of Engines on Norfolk Sothern's Washington District, Don Woods, shared in the story by ABC News the challenges with guessing the speed of a train.  The sound of a train, that roar that many of us have heard before, follows the train.  In other words, if you are standing in front of the train, you may not even know that it is coming at you.He gave the great visual that the speed of a train is an optical illusion and if it is a tie between you and the train, you will lose that game.

Unfortunately, many risk their lives and play this game with trains and think that they are going to win.  In 2015, reality TV star, Greg Plitt, lost his life while recording his workout videos on a train track.  In February, another casualty occurred when a photographer was hit by a train during a photoshoot in Fresno, California.

Is It Really Illegal To Take Photos On a Railroad Track in Minnesota?

Dangerous?  As you can tell from the traumatic stories above, taking photos on railroad tracks is dangerous.

Illegal? According to ABC News, the act of train track photography is not illegal.  Taking photos on tracks that are private is illegal.

Now you know.

What are the Best Places for Selfies and Photos in Southeast Minnesota Area?

If you are looking for a place that is amazing for photos, there are 12 spots that have amazing pops of color and, if in the right light, will be some of your favorite photos ever!  Get your kids in some matching(ish) outfits, or not, and head to one of the 12 apple orchards below that are sprinkled throughout Southeast Minnesota.  Just don't forget to bring your phone or camera!