Re: Early RR photographists

South Park:
Excellent question! To your list I would add John Krause, who, although he came a good deal later, traveled all around Colorado getting some great shots near the end of many of the NG operations. As far as I know, he lived in New York (Long Island, I believe), so for him that meant a whole LOT of traveling.
What exactly makes someone spend what can amount to a great deal of time and money to see and photograph a train (or trains) is either a very easy question (I like it and am able to do it, therefore I do) or an extremely tough question (Why do I like it? Well, . . . )
A while ago on this board I posed the question of what is it in particular about the narrow gauge that so attracts us. Your question is similar. Answers from family members would be interesting, no?