Then the Cops Showed Up

4.24.2015

This past weekend, Jordan and I drove to Texas to celebrate my sister's 18th birthday. Don't even get me started on the fact that my little sister is graduating high school. 

At my mother's request, I brought my camera so Sarah and I could go take some senior pictures. I am by no means a professional photographer, nor do I pretend to be, but I do enjoy taking pictures of people for special occasions if they want some nice pictures from someone who won't charge them very much. (Or, if it's your mother, charge her nothing but home-baked goods.)
My sister and I browsed Pinterest for inspiration, and we decided to drive around and look for an open field to take pictures in. We spent about 20 minutes looking but were met with the following obstacles:

1) Barbed wire fences. Not optimal for obvious reasons.
2) Fields with horses and/or other large, four-legged animals. I'll let you figure that one out for yourself.
3) Fields with houses in the background. Not the wide-open nature look we were going for.

Finally we came across an open field with no animals, barbed wire, or houses. There was a fence, but it wasn't hard to hop over. And by hop, I mean climb over slowly and carefully. Because, you know, nearly 23 weeks pregnant and all.
We had spent probably 15 minutes taking pictures in the field before my sister looked over my shoulder and said, "Uh oh."

I turned around to see a three cop cars huddled around my Ford Focus and three Texas cops climbing over the fence and heading our direction. "Someone called and said there were people hopping fences over here," the first one said, frowning at me. "You realize you're trespassing, don't you?"

I immediately began apologizing profusely. 

"I'm so sorry. I'm visiting from Oklahoma" (<-- I figured it was a good idea to play the confused out-of-towner card as soon as possible) "and I just came down this weekend to take some senior pictures of my sister."

"Well you can't just jump a fence."
"I didn't see any signs," I said.
"But you hopped a fence."
I figured I shouldn't argue with him about the technicalities of hopping vs. climbing slowly.
"You're right," I said. "I did. And I'm so sorry. We'll leave right now."
"A farmer will shoot you for hopping fences in Texas," he said. "And we don't like Okies," he added. Then he laughed. "Just kidding."

Comforting. I DON'T BELIEVE YOU.

He walked us back to my car, took both our licenses, and spent a good five minutes looking us up in the system. Because apparently I look like some kind of criminal. My sister hadn't renewed her license since turing 18 five days before, so they gave her a hard time about that too.

After they so kindly informed us that the owner of the field was not going to press charges (to which I say, get a life, sir), they gave us directions to a field where we could "legally" take pictures. They gave us our licenses back, and we headed on our merry way.

First we took a picture, obviously. As we all know, if it isn't on the Internet, it never happened.
We were too stressed out to even think about going anywhere else, so we just hightailed it home. I was pretty sure I was about to go into labor.

On the way, I called my dad. He put us on speaker phone and made us repeat our sordid tale to my entire family, who gave us no sympathy and merely laughed at us the rest of the night.

I will have you know that I have had two run-ins with cops in my entire life, and BOTH OF THEM WERE IN TEXAS. There's a lesson here, I think.

Oh yeah, maybe it's this: don't go to Texas. Ever. It's scary.

The end.

Oh wait. Okay a few more pictures of my sister, just for kicks.
She got all the photogenic genes in the family, I tell you.

Can.Not.Handle.It. Someone bring me tissues.

Bailie @ The Hemborg Wife said...

Stupid cops ruining all the fun! No but seriously what is with the attitude like has there been a spree of crimes committed by a pregnant woman and high schooler!
The pictures are lovely though!

shelleystirs said...

That is awesome. I think I would have gone straight back to my parents' if the same thing happened to me. Sounds like the cops in Texas have it in for you!

Jenn @ Optimization Actually said...

That's so ridiculous! Who calls the cops on people for taking pictures in a field? Some people are so self-important. Congratulations to your sister! And gorgeous photos!

Bethany Carson said...

Lovely photos of your sister! Oooh wow, it's hard to imagine they had to send out 3 police to take care of you and your sister--trespassing sounds like its very unwelcome in Texas!

The Lady Okie said...

Isn't that crazy? Like, okay, clearly we're really going to do some damage over here. Sheesh. It was super stressful, though! My dad knows the chief of police, and he said if they had written us a ticket, he would have called about it. I mean really!

Alicia | Jaybird: Home in Motion said...

Beautiful photos! And that's too funny...glad you didn't get in any trouble. It makes me wonder about some of the photoshoots fashion bloggers do. I suspect there is a lot of trespassing that happens for the sake of outfit photos!

Cassie Lee @ Sage the Blog said...

Oh no HAHAHAHA. Hey at least the photos turned out well!

Sara Oss said...

You have great pictures and a fantastic story to go with them. I call that a win! Were the cops sheepish by the end of it? I'm sure that they thought there was something far seedier going on when they first pulled their car over.

Emily said...

Younger sisters just can't hang with their law breaking older sisters! ;) Well now you'll think twice before trespassing and ruining people's fields with pictures!

Rachel said...

Oh man I would have been so stressed out! I can't imagine calling the cops on trespassers unless they were doing really evil things (i.e. not having a photoshoot). We lived in farm country--and it was really cool having open fields as our backyard, but people coming out to take photos was a bit of a problem for some of our neighbors. None of them would call the cops, but they would go out and talk to people who were going into their barns or entering fields--I think because they worry that it can be a bit of a liability for them when strangers are hanging out around antique barns or if they go in one of the fields with a mean cow/bull or fall in a hole in the ground or whatever. And so many of the farms had really fierce dogs which even scared me as I biked past their houses as fast as I could.

Laura said...

You're hilarious! I can't believe the guy called the cops. That field was just begging to be photographed. So was your sister. You're both gorgeous. Gracious!

Kayla MKOY said...

If that farmer HAD decided to press charges- HA! I wouldn't even know what to do. Get a life sir, indeed!! I cannot handle this story. Cracking me up! PS girlfriend these photos rock! So exciting about her graduating, but I totally get it. I have a younger brother who graduates next May and I'm pretty sure I'm in denial about that! It's insane to think he's old enough to have a diploma!!

The Girl who Loved to Write said...

I always love hearing your funny family stories--this one is hilarious!

Sarah @ Sometimes Photojenik said...

Good grief seems like both Texas farmers AND cops have WAYYYY too much time on their hands. If you're serious enough to press charges you think he'd be serious enough to put a "no trespassing" sign out :p your sister is stunning!

Ali said...

Oh my goodness! Why didn't the farmer (land owner, whatever) just come ask you what you were doing? I mean, come on....two young ladies, one obviously pregnant. Surely you look like hardened criminals. Glad you got off without him pressing charges! (I agree, get a life!)

PS. I would have cried after the cops left. That is my normal reaction to police. I can never get the waterworks going when I actually do get pulled over or stopped. It's always after. Although, this hasn't happened since I was in college 10 years ago...I'd like to keep it that way!

Pamela said...

too funny!! great story for yall to look back on!!

Kate said...

Bahahahahahahahaha! That's absolutely hilarious. I think my favorite part is just how many of them showed up to run off a pregnant girl and her little sister. Speaking of your sister, you two look so different yet SO much alike! It's crazy. You definitely have the same mouth/smile though. 100%.

Also. One of my very limited run-ins with the police happened in OKC but never in Texas, so ya know. There's that.

Kristin said...

I can't stop laughing about them calling out THREE cop cars for an exceedingly dangerous pregnant lady and teenager! If that isn't a sign that there's nothing going on in town, I don't know what is. Congrats to your sister!

Paige @ Reasons to Come Home said...

This is hilarious! I can't believe the farmer called the cops on you! Pressing charges? Ridiculous. BUT you got some great pictures of your sister. She looks so much like you!

Katie @ Daily Cup of Kate said...

"A farmer will shoot you for hopping fences in Texas" haha there is probably some truth to that! Well, you got some great photos out of the experience! :)

Caroline @ In Due Time said...

omg! Too funny! ha! VERY glad that they didn't bust y'all!!! Your sis is so pretty!!!

Unknown said...

Ba ha ha ha what an adventure pregnant and all! Cops are so annoying and really I agree the farmer needs to get a life!

Anonymous said...

Hahaha, so funny! Not a fan of Texas, for several reasons haha. And wow. Those are truly beautiful photos. Can I ask what camera you use? :o)

Becky said...

Gah sometimes I just wonder about cops and their priorities…two girls taking pictures in a field in the middle of the day really?? I'm sure there was someone speeding out there or breaking into a house or something!
Great job on her pictures at least!! :) I wish we had a photographer in the family!!

Leslie Lukens Martin said...

The pics are GREAT...and the story is pretty funny! Totally ridiculous that it happened, but I guess it's something you can laugh about! I hope you can forgive TX one of these days! :)

Madison @ Wetherills Say I Do said...

This story is hilarious but also your photos are GORGEOUS of your sis! Photographer or not, you did a great job :)

Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often said...

You little degenerates!!! haha! That is a lot of cops for just hoping a fence! Only in Texas!!!

Kiki said...

Oh goodness, that is like my GREATEST fear when it comes to taking photos and stuff. Most of the time I'll take photos at public places (like parks) but there have been so many times when I want to take photos of cool houses or something.

So glad they let you go AND that you managed to take some AMAZING photos, too. You captured your sister beautifully--especially that first shot! :)

p.s. My little sis is graduating, too. CRAZYYYYY for me to even think about...

The Lady Okie said...

Thank you! These pictures were taken with a Canon Rebel t2i with a Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 lens.

Angela said...

Oh my gosh!! I can't believe they didn't have better things to do than hassle 2 young girls doing a photoshoot. So silly. Glad you got some good ones though!

Brandi said...

I hope that teaches you a lesson about 'hopping' fences! Honestly! You are pregnant now! ;) Lovely shots of your sis!

Unknown said...

That's crazy. People sometimes really lack in the fun department. But it provided us with yet another hilarious tale, which is always good. Your sister looks amazing, and your photos too. What a cute family you have!

Niken said...

i love when something like that happened. i mean, they do make good stories. haha.
gah, kids. they grow up too fast. congratulations for your sister! and you took nice pictures.

Andrea H. said...

What a crazy story!! Can't believe the cops weren't a little more understanding/kind! I mean I can't imagine they (or anyone else) thought the two of you posed an actual threat out there in the field. Glad it all ended well. And yay for fun times and photos with your sister!! :)

Lindsay said...

This is hilarious! And what absolutely stunning photos! You sure do have a natural talent!
-Linds

Victoria said...

Oh my goodness!!!! This is just too much!!!! THREE cop cars?!??! I can just imagine what the call was like:

"Hi, yes, I'd like to report that a large woman who appears to be pregnant is trespassing on my property."

"I understand sir, have you tried to handle the situation yourself?"

"Um...Didn't you hear me, I said, 'there is a large woman who appears to be PREGNANT!' Of course I didn't try to handle it myself. She could be dangerous!"

"Okay, we'll send out officers immediately, sir. Please remain in your house and on the line so that we can insure your safety."

I'm dying!!!! :)

Your sister is the CUTEST!!!! Mine is about to turn 17 on Friday and I can't even wrap my mind around that. Weren't WE just finishing up high school?!??!

Jenna Griffin | Gold & Bloom said...

Ahhhhh! I have heard of things like this happening to photographer friends, and so I've avoided fields at all costs. Ha. I got the nervous, panicked butterfies all through this post. The owners must have called the cops so quickly! Geez. The photos are gorgeous, though!!

Amy @ A Desert Girl said...

Big excitement for the owner of that fence and field. Yikes - a Ford Focus and two pretty girls taking pictures! Send all the cops! What a nut.

Glad that it turned out okay! The pictures are terrific. Congrats to your sister on the upcoming graduation.

Brittany said...

These are wonderful pictures! ...and seriously, people need to chill out. I'm sure it was pretty obvious what you were doing, but the person called the cops?! Ugh.

Unknown said...

Ha! This is hilarious and weird because why the heck would that field owner care if two girls took a few photos in his field!? What a great memory of your sisters' senior pictures which turned out great by the way!

Unknown said...

Ha! This is hilarious and weird because why the heck would that field owner care if two girls took a few photos in his field!? What a great memory of your sisters' senior pictures which turned out great by the way!

Rach said...

Oh my goodness, that would stress me out SO MUCH if that happened to me! This is my rule following personality. I'm pretty sure I'd burst into tears and fear that they would throw me in prison. Yup, I have a "healthy" (petrified) fear of authority figures and the law. What's funny is that if this were Christopher he'd handle it just like you did. Apologize and remove himself from the situation. Calm. Adult like. I need to learn to be more like that, haha! Just reading this story stressed me out!

Also, your sister is adorable. She looks SO much like you! These photos turned out beautifully! You did a wonderful job with them!

Miriam said...

I totally missed this gem of a post, so glad you linked to it in your latest one. Omg, I am dying over here laughing. And I'm also terrified: I don't think the cop was kidding about Texan farmers shooting fence climbers/hoppers. I will listen to your advice and NOT go to Texas. Ever! But man oh man, does this make for a good story! I love how your family doesn't freak out, but laugh about it. They are great people!

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