chemsaf Loc: San Diego

UHH colleagues: Many of you, as I am, are aging and need to think about how your heirs or Executor will dispose of all the "stuff", including cameras and tons of accessories, you have accumulated. For example, I am instructing them to offer my complete underwater camera kits to either the UCSD or SDSU photo or scuba clubs. What are your thoughts on this. Specifically, what are your plans for all the photo prints hanging on your walls? What about your camera and accessories?

For those of us in the "senior" category, these questions are painful and difficult, but need to be addressed.

Look forward to your thoughts.

Live long and prosper.
Neal

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I have named a really good friend who has helped me significantly on my artistic journey to receive my photographic equipment. She can keep it if she likes, but is also free to sell it or give it to a young photographer or two. I have full confidence that she is capable of making good choices whichever route she chooses to follow.

People can either fight over or discard my photographs. I will not contest either choice.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Not painful for me. Quite a logical necessity really.
I'll let my three kids decide if one of them wants the camera stuff or which grandchild might like it the most.
Some stuff could even get split.

I don't have a ton of stuff hanging on the walls. Same there, my wife will probably keep them, but at some point they will go to the kids, or nieces & nephews.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Everything goes to my grandson. Simple for me.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Hope is not a plan. Sell or give away now, while you have control of the process.

delder Loc: Maryland

In terms of IMAGES, context is VITAL!
Have boxes 📦 of old photos handed down through the family BUT WE don't know who / what ancestors appear in them.
Some context would add TREMENDOUS value to your collection.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

Yes, I had that problem with my mother’s collection of photos. That why when I save a digital image I always use the ‘save as’ function to create a descriptive title.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

My plans are whatever they want to do.
I won't be there so don't care.
If they care fine, if not doesn't affect me.
I am not going to tell them what to do.
Actual historic family photos will be disposed of before I die to whomever in the family wants to preserve the over century old photos or give to the AZ historical society at ASU if no one wants them as the society will provide family copies as requested.

Ollieboy

Once I'm gone it's not my problem.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I have a small life insurance policy. It will provide a little more than a year of my current income to my wife. If my wife is not around it goes to the kids. The large investments (house, cars, stuff) are the primary sources of value. The house could be sold for several years worth of my current income but my wife would have to live somewhere. The only thing she would need is income to pay the taxes and utilities and some maintenance.

My camera stuff will probably total a month worth of my current income (it cost a lot more but it's old now). Probably not really worth considering monetizing it. I'd rather have it for my use right up to the end. The kids can use it after that. They have a DSLR but mine are better. OTOH, most of their photos are taken with their iPhones.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Meaning: they don't want it.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"... Sell or give away now, while you have control of the process..."
As usual Paul got this right... btw, I'm appalled at the lack of "perceived" skill or finesse in the posting I'm seeing on the UHH Members Buy/Sell/Trade - Classified section https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-6-1.html

Many folks are offering items of Kit valued at well over $K and either don't post images or if they do the quality is abysmal... Terrible illumination, very poor compositional elements and some aren't even in focus?

Folks if you are selling high end kit, maybe your illustrations should reflect who this type of kit is best suited for.

Albeit sadly I have long realized that so many hobbyist endeavor to establish their persona simply by the price of their kit and not the quality of imagery they are capable of producing with it. So maybe put your best work forward in your marketing efforts? Just a thought...

I'm already moving forward to eliminating kit I can't reasonable use now owing to physical limitations which have resulted from medical procedures... No rush, and I'm focused on finding homes for these cherished tools with those who are actually photographers and definitely not interested in seeing them go to the myriad of sharks who cruse the UHH Members Buy/Sell/Trade - Classified Section... You know who they are... if in doubt look at their UHH activities where they bring absolutely little if anything to the mix... They only post to the Classified Section. I'm not keen on those who only join UHH to "flip gear" to turn a profit...

That said the "Flip for Profit" crowd are seriously in harms way of the IRS which mandates you report sales in which you make a profit (thus qualifying you are a dealer)
https://www.findlaw.com/tax/federal-taxes/do-you-need-to-report-your-online-sales-to-the-irs.html
https://www.findlaw.com/smallbusiness/business-taxes/do-you-have-to-pay-sales-tax-on-internet-purchases.html

If you are simply a hobbyist and aren't turning profits on internet sales you're likely not in harm's way...
However if you exceed a certain level of sales profit per year... Then both the IRS and your local State Taxation laws may apply... However I'm not licensed to provide legal counsel please consult with those who are for more appropriate guidance.

btw, Thank you again Paul... you have a way for bringing clear and concise wisdom to the fore..

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

But what if he's not done using them yet?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Failure to plan is a plan to fail.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

He could plan on disseminating the stuff next week,
travel tomorrow (never over 50 MPH),
get bumped off by a little old lady that never goes under 100...

Doo-doo occurs.....

The best laid plans of mice and men, and photographers.....