132 ☼ They Tried To Steal My Hasselblad
+ security lessons learned
Dear friends,
In this week's letter: there was a burglary at my home a month ago and it was a disaster but also could have been way worse. Sharing the story plus what I’ve learned about protecting my gear and home from theft.
The images in this issue are from my ongoing half-frame series about daily life in Amsterdam and Limburg, including images from the traditional carnival celebration.
☀️ Shout out to my friends at Squarespace for helping make this issue possible ☀️
Housekeeping
Process Projected artist Noah Kalina has launched a semi-daily vlog on his YouTube channel and it’s my new favorite photography related channel. A must-watch. It’s everything all the other channels are not and therefore a great addition.
A Bad Hand
Glass. Everywhere. The police tell me I can’t enter my home yet because they’re still dusting for prints. Through one of the broken windows I see my father’s Hasselblad is not where it’s supposed to be. The place is a mess.
Thirty minutes earlier. I am celebrating when suddenly my phone rings in the middle of a poker game at a friend’s house. I had just won a truly thrilling hand where my pocket aces were up against a pocket ace-king and, after a run of bad hands, I was back baby! "My luck has turned!" I thought to myself. It sure did, but not in the way I anticipated.
A call from my neighbor pierced through the poker chatter. "I think there’s been a burglary at your place, we heard glass breaking, we called the police right away." A fear realized. Adrenaline rush, an immediate pack-up, and a frantic rush back home.
The police were already on the scene, they let me know they found two men burglarizing my home and were able to arrest one while the other one fled through a window. I have to wait, probably another thirty minutes, before they can let me in.
As they comb through for evidence, my mind races with worry about my cameras, not only because they are the tools with which I make a living, but also because some are irreplaceable, like my father's cherished Hasselblad. The mess inside my home mirrored the chaos in my head – shattered glass, stuff on the floors, and a missing piece of my photographic history.
Once they allow me back inside I start going through my stuff. Nastya arrived for emotional support and we both step inside. The bedroom is a mess with an entire closet emptied onto the floor. Once I get to my office I confirm the Hasselblad is not there, and neither is the Mamiya, nor various parts of my Canon kit that I use for most of my digital client work. This is a disaster.
It would take another thirty minutes before I noticed one of my backpacks on the floor in the office, under my desk. It was such a mess that I hadn’t noticed it before. I pick it up to move it and notice it’s much heavier than it should be. I stick my hand inside to find my father’s Hasselblad, the Mamiya, the Canon stuff. This is a miracle!
The burglar who got away left this bag behind in his rush to escape. I couldn’t believe it. My anger and confusion now mix with immense relief. I tell the police about the find. They note it down.
A few things went missing. A hard drive, thankfully backed up twice over, a bag, a few personal things, mostly vintage items, and most importantly Nastya’s coat. The coat comes back to us the next day when the police tell us the burglar they arrested was wearing it. Another miracle.
The following day I go to the police station to deliver my statement so they can prosecute the burglar who is now in jail. It turns out he was out awaiting trial for another burglary and decided to double up. Great guy. It was a relief to hear it was highly unlikely to be a targeted break-in specifically looking for my cameras. Based on the burglar’s background and status the police told me he was likely part of a traveling gang of thieves that roam around the EU committing crimes.
On the third day my adrenaline levels come back down to earth. My brain checks out of its hyper focused problem-solving mode and there is space for other feelings and emotions. I’m told the stress and paranoia about sudden sounds usually subsides after four to six weeks. Four weeks later I can say that’s true.
My friend generously gifted me an extra security camera he wasn’t using, and I pick up two additional ones online so I get notified on my phone if there is any movement inside the house. I’ve also installed motion-detection flood lights outside and stored my cameras in a secure location elsewhere. This helps manage my worries when leaving the house these days.
Two weeks later I go to court for the trial and speak on the impact it’s had on me. Some sleepless nights, a few days of missed work because I had to be home for repairs and cleaning up the mess. He gets a three month sentence, on top of the three month sentence for the other burglary. It seems crazy light to me. He doesn’t seem remorseful at all and he is lying up a storm.
In the aftermath, with the police investigation concluded and the broken windows boarded up, I was left shaken but it could have been much worse. We are safe and healthy. I still have my cameras and can continue to work. I feel gratitude for my vigilant neighbor and the swift response of the police. I feel gratitude for the victim support organization that called me the day after it happened to offer practical and emotional support with the court case and the aftermath.
Takeaways
Some practical safety and security tips I learned from this experience:
Document Everything — Keep detailed records of all your equipment, including serial numbers, purchase receipts, and photographs. This documentation will be crucial when dealing with law enforcement and insurance claims.
Focus On Slowing Thieves Down — The police told me that if someone is motivated to get in they will no matter what. Our focus should be on making it less attractive and more time consuming to get in. The longer it takes, the better the chances are the police, if notified, will get there in time to catch them in the act. Invest in security equipment such as sturdy locks, alarm systems, and surveillance cameras for your studio or workspace. This can act as a deterrent and provide evidence if a theft occurs.
Be Prepared — Have a plan in case the worst happens. Home insurance, camera insurance, a list of all your gear, knowing who to call. Knowing how to react swiftly can help you get back your gear or money and provide some peace of mind.
Insurance — Make sure you have comprehensive insurance coverage for your camera gear. Home and travel insurance is also a huge help.
Data Backup — Regularly back up your photographs to an external hard drive or cloud storage. Losing gear is bad enough, but losing valuable work can be devastating.
Network and Community — Connect with fellow photographers, local communities, and your neighbors. Sharing information about suspicious activities or recent thefts can help everyone stay vigilant. Look out for each other.
That’s it for this week! If you enjoyed this issue I’d love for you to share it with friends.
Next Week: Taking pictures in Japan. So many pictures.
Also, the return on the Process x Moment $150 gift certificate Giveaway!
Keep shooting and take good care of yourselves and others. <3
Wesley
PS Don’t forget to sign up for the Process Projected newsletter—work by inspiring contemporary photographers twice a month.
PPS Want to support Process? Consider buying my photo book NOTICE.
Gear & Tools Used
Camera: All images were shot on the Olympus Pen-F with Double X and Fuji Provia.
Shout out to MPB.com, my go-to place to buy, sell, and trade used cameras and lenses. I love their service and am a paying customer. MPB caters to over 625,000 visual storytellers and provides a 6-month warranty. Thanks for the support, MPB! <3
Lab: All my analog work is developed and scanned by my friends at Carmencita Film Lab. They’re my favorite lab in the world. Use code “PROCESS” to get a free upgrade.
Website: Shout out to Squarespace for supporting Process. If you need a website, I highly recommend using Squarespace. I’ve been a paying customer for over 10 years (!!?). It’s an easy, professional, and affordable way to have a beautiful portfolio website and webshop. Use the code PROCESS10 for 10% off your first order.
That sounds like an awful experience but it was good that you were able to get your camera gear back.
What a nightmare! Glad you are okay and your neighbors reacted so quickly!