I don’t know if you’ve seen the infamous PNW bridge that seems to be popping up all over Instagram, but it’s there. I’ve seen it on other photographer’s feeds and have always wanted to go there myself.

So I asked my sister (she’s the brave one in the family) and she decided to come too. And as we always do, we make it into a photoshoot opportunity. We drove out to Shelton, hiked a short hike, and then trekked across this old, abandoned bridge across Vance Creek.  

347 feet above the ground.

You guys, I am not the thrill-seeker type. I can manage roller-coaster rides and airplanes and all that jazz. But an unsecure bridge with pockets of questionable (but seemingly OK) beams of wood … I’m straight up chicken.

Straight up, Marty McFly chicken.  

I baby-stepped it like no one else. And then froze. And then baby-stepped it some more. Then took some photos. Then froze.  

There were a lot of “oh God’s” and “OMG OMG OMG” moments. Which is great because God was there and I’m still alive. Bwahahahahaha.

But anyways - my sister strolled across the bridge like it was no big deal. She literally was like “I wanna sit on the edge” and I was like “NOOOOOOO!!!!!”

But it’s all good. Other people were doing it. And it seems like they all survived. So I mustered up the courage I had left to scoot on over to her (sort of).  

Needless to say, the photos turned out pretty awesome. I’m proud of myself for making it as far as I did on that bridge (about the halfway point). And I’m not too sure how likely I’ll be on that bridge again. But at least I know that I did it.   

Crazy. The things you do for a great shot!

Can we go back to the studio now? Joking … not really.

Model: Kristina Chang
Location: Vance Creek Viaduct (Shelton, WA)