Rick Denham Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · **UPDATE**STOLEN GEAR...STOLEN WEDDING...GOOD READ | |
So I shot a wedding on the Saturday of Easter weekend. My kids were staying with me this weekend, so I knew that I wouldn't have time time to dump my images on my computer when I got home so I backed them up to my hyperdrive, just to have two solid copies. I kept the memory cards on my desk, and my hyperdrive in my camera bag. We wake up Sunday morning, the boys do their Easter egg hunt, we go to church, then to my parents for Easter dinner.
After dropping the boys off at their moms I headed home. When I walked in the door my new puppies had broken out of their cage so i headed upstairs immediately to clean up the sh!t and p!ss I knew would be everywhere. After about 10 minutes of cleaning I headed back downstairs. When I got downstairs I noticed that my sliding back door was open, I was like "wtf the dogs opened my door". I went to go close it and noticed my bike wasn't there, turned around immediately and noticed that my camera gear was all gone as well.
I called the cops, they came, we went through as much stuff to figure out what was stolen. They actually even took the time to look for possible prints. When we went through my gear I noticed that both my memory cards and hyperdrive had been taken, my heart immediately sunk. I can't believe that me, being so careful to back stuff up, actually had both copies of the wedding stolen. Even the officer was upset about it. We went across the street to talk to my neighbour, he gets paid to watch the house beside me on the weekends because it's getting reno's and the guys doesn't want anything stolen. He said he saw a guy walk in front of my house 3 times, sit on the porch next door then head down the laneway towards my backyard. He got up grabbed his dog and went for a walk. He went down the laneway but didn't see anyone so he went back home. This was at about 9:00 and I rolled in my driveway about 9:10.
So, Monday came, I went through the entire house, realized they had stolen some of my girlfriends jewelry and my Xbox controllers. It was at this point that I realized I came home when the SOB was in my house. Either my headlights spooked him, or he was actually still there when I walked in the door, because I headed right upstairs. There was so much stuff left behind that should have been taken first. Xbox and 20+games, BluRay player and 20+ movies, guitar, even my spare car key, but none of it taken. Everyone keeps asking if I thought it was intentional, because only my gear was stolen. There is no way it was, and the reason both myself and cop know this is because of the jewelry. It was a move only a thief would make, to know where to goo and look.
So after all is said and done, what is the most important thing here. GET YOURSELF INSURED! I carry specific business insurance that is geared towards photographers. I carry it because i need the liability when I shoot hockey games and hang strobes. My insurance company has been an absolute dream. I have $25K to rent equipment with until mine is replaced. I get full "brand new" replacement cost for all my equipment. They are also giving the b+g the option to either be refunded for my contract or be reimbursed to stage the events all over again. Insurance in my opinion is the most important thing you can purchase, more important then any piece of equipment.
I wanted to share this story with everyone here, not for sympathy, but for knowledge. Now you all have a story to share with potential clients on why it is important to hire a professional who has insurance and not some beginner posting on kijiji/craiglist who doesn't. You also have a story to share with up and coming photographers on the importance of insurance, and how you shouldn't just start shooting because you mom and dad bought you a new camera. Finally, you all have a story/reason now to stop being cheap, so go out and purchase insurance.
As for my bride and groom, I meet with them today. They were an amazing couple and I know they will understand the situation and that I did everything in my power to make sure their images were backed up. I will update you all on what we decide to do tomorrow after I talk with them.
Edited on Apr 11, 2013 at 07:59 AM · View previous versions
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