Photography gear stolen (Page 3): If he had a rental car. That might be a sign that he flew in from out of town. So he would have had to fly the trusted friend in. So what do we do?

JBTaylor Loc: In hiding again

Racmanaz wrote:

The Photographer did do something wrong, he trusted that nobody would steal his equipment. You can't stop a thief from stealing, but you can prevent your equipment from being stolen by having a trusted friend guarding it. The lesson to be learne dis NOT that there are thieves...we all know that...the lesson is to keep guard of your equipment how ever possible.

If he had a rental car. That might be a sign that he flew in from out of town. So he would have had to fly the trusted friend in.

So what do we do? Write in to the contract that the client will provide an equipment custodian? Maybe the alarm idea is a good one. Typically second shooter, and assistants are also going to be focused on getting the shots.

csharp Loc: Massachusetts Berkshires

Sorry for the loss. My bag was stolen from a hotel luggage storage room. How about a cable lock, secured to some furniture?

Dartmoor Walker Loc: Dartmoor, Devon. England.

EstherP wrote:

This week in our local news: br A couple got marr... (show quote)

A few years ago, a friend went to Spain for his summer vacation, he had his travel cases and camera case with him, he arrive at the hotel, went forward to the reception counter to register, he placed the cases on the floor beside him while he signed the register and handed his passport over, he was given the keys to his room, he went to pick up his cases and the Camera case had GONE, and no one noticed a thing!!

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

The photographer was/is an idiot. You never leave your expensive gear laying someplace while you wander off making photos...never...AND why was he driving a "rental" AND as a "working pro" he should have owned INSURANCE!!!
I feel NO PITY...

turp77 Loc: Connecticut, Plainfield

After reading all the posts, there are a lot of should have done comments! Hind sight is 20/20. We weren't there we also aren't perfect and shouldn't slam him. Camera gear gets stolen all the time from experienced pros. The best lessons in life are from experiences good and bad.

JBTaylor Loc: In hiding again

Mudshark wrote:

The photographer was/is an idiot. You never leave your expensive gear laying someplace while you wander off making photos...never...AND why was he driving a "rental" AND as a "working pro" he should have owned INSURANCE!!!
I feel NO PITY...

Maybe it was too far to walk from the airport. How do YOU know he was local to the area?

JBTaylor Loc: In hiding again

turp77 wrote:

After reading all the posts, there are a lot of should have done comments! Hind sight is 20/20. We weren't there we also aren't perfect and shouldn't slam him. Camera gear gets stolen all the time from experienced pros. The best lessons in life are from experiences good and bad.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

bersharbp Loc: Texas

EstherP wrote:

This week in our local news: br A couple got marr... (show quote)

I cannot express how much I hate a thief!! -- especially if it is a relative or 'friend.' Some of the best camera gear I've ever owned was stolen by an in-law from our house. The event ruined the hobby for me for years. Years ago, he visited the house again but I had most of my prized possessions secured, including my replacement (and very downgraded) camera and lenses. I dont think I could ever pace any trust in him again

Mudshark Loc: Illinois

JBTaylor wrote:

Maybe it was too far to walk from the airport. How do YOU know he was local to the area?

My guess is his car was stolen earlier because he left the keys in it. If he was a big enough hot shot to be flying in to shoot weddings...he would know better than to leave his gear laying about...

gr8ful1 Loc: upstate SC

and don't put any gear that will not fit in a airplane carry-on bag in your checked luggage! The United Airlines ticket agent put the wrong tag on my bag and it went to Boston instead of Charlotte never to be seen again. The worst part is they will not pay for anything other than clothes and refuse to give you the calculation as to how they arrived at the pitiful amount of reimbursement.

QuickShooter101 Loc: East

This is why I always turned down weddings . Not because my equipment could be stolen , but you can be sued . I have taken photos for myself and any family members that want a copy . To me , the little money most make when doing a wedding isn't worth the chance of being sued. I have turned down many chances to do weddings , even ones with room , trip were paid for by the groom . I guess I'm just too paranoid . I too hope they find his stuff

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

In the videos, the photographer clearly has two cameras around his neck, each with flashes attached. So, what he likely lost was extra gear, like lenses, filters, etc.. Maybe an extra body.

That would allow him to complete the shoot, since he obviously still had the two camera setups. Still, after he knew the bag was missing, he must have highly distracted. Wonder how the rest of the shoot went... :shock:

photoshopmikey Loc: Boston Ma.

EstherP wrote:

This week in our local news: br A couple got marr... (show quote)

My hart feels his pain, 3 days after i joined the Hog, My brand new pentax K5 with a 24-70-2.8 lens was stolen out of my room while i slept one afternoon. A contractor who hired some rough looking day laborers to build our new wing at the retirement home i live in thinks it was one of them. The staff felt sorry for me and bought me a canon point and shoot, that was stolen off the bus while we were at the doctors office one week later. I guess the good lord does not want me to post any shots on the hog.

Dartmoor Walker Loc: Dartmoor, Devon. England.

QuickShooter101 wrote:

This is why I always turned down weddings . Not because my equipment could be stolen , but you can be sued . I have taken photos for myself and any family members that want a copy . To me , the little money most make when doing a wedding isn't worth the chance of being sued. I have turned down many chances to do weddings , even ones with room , trip were paid for by the groom . I guess I'm just too paranoid . I too hope they find his stuff

"To me , the little money most make when doing a wedding"

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!!!!

JBTaylor Loc: In hiding again

Mudshark wrote:

My guess is his car was stolen earlier because he left the keys in it. If he was a big enough hot shot to be flying in to shoot weddings...he would know better than to leave his gear laying about...

Did you even read the OP?
the rental car was not stolen. He stayed with it until the rental company could secure it and missed most of the reception which is why he's at risk too get sued.

See Annie's posts for why he might be "leaving gear laying around". After reading the story, it is clear that he needed a custodian of the gear not on his body because the theft planned and nothing short of that would have prevented the theft.