Safeguarding Your Camera and Captured Memories

Whether you are an amateur or a professional photographer you should consider employing some basic measures and habits when it comes to safeguarding your camera while you’re on vacation, or out taking pictures. I often hear from people that have their cameras stolen from them while at an event or that they drop it, just to watch helplessly as it shatters or cracks. It’s a frustrating feeling to find out that the photos you have just taken are all gone, either by theft or accidental damage.

I have come up with a list of suggested items to help you safeguard your camera and preserve your memories. I also recommend reading my blog article on suggestions for backing-up your digital photos.

As always, if you have any suggestions I have not mentioned, please leave a comment. I would love to hear from others who have any ideas on protecting their camera gear or what they might do different than what I have mentioned.

Download your images often.
I know quite a few people who like to wait until their memory cards are full before they download their photos. I also know one of those individuals who had their camera stolen while attending an event and they lost all of their photos from not only the event, but other family photos they had taken weeks prior. They just didn’t simply download often enough. You just never know when a memory card will go bad or if you lose your camera. Downloading often won’t save your camera, but it will save your memories. Download!

Don’t leave your camera or photo gear unattended at events.
When you’re attending an event, like a wedding, or work function, don’t leave your camera lying around on a table unattended. I know it’s common sense, but you will be surprised to know how many people actually leave their cameras sitting on a table while they are off dancing and such. You may think the crowed you are with won’t take the camera and you’re probably most likely correct. However, attending a function in a public place means just that, a public place; it’s open to people form the outside. For example a wedding reception at a hotel; anyone can just walk in to the hall. So, don’t leave your camera, or anything of value for that matter, unattended.

Don’t leave your camera unattended in your vehicle.
If you have to do so, then conceal it form street view. One of the main reasons I recommend not leaving your camera in the car is due to theft. However, consider the weather as well. If you live in an environment where the weather is extreme, such as hot temperatures or very cold, leaving your camera with it’s sensitive electronics, can potentially cause damage to the camera. So avoid any heat damage or possible theft by taking your camera with you and not leaving it in your vehicle.

Record your serial numbers for your camera, flash and any other photographic equipment.
Should your camera get stolen, you can easily identify it through the serial number. Often times thieves will sell stolen camera equipment through online auctions or classifieds. If you have the serial numbers, you can check it against a camera you suspect might be your stolen camera. In addition, it helps speed up the process when making insurance claims if you write your serial numbers down. Make sure that you keep the numbers in a safe place.

Don’t use one digital card to hold all of your images.
I prefer using multiple memory cards of 2 to 4 GB just in case something goes bad with one card or you lose a card. I know wedding photographers who will shoot an entire wedding on one or two cards; 16GB cards. Not a good idea in my opinion. I have had memory cards go bad and if I was shooting an entire event or wedding on one or two cards, you can pretty much kiss the event bye bye. In my opinion, I would rather change cards frequently than risk the entire event on one card.

Keep your equipment dry.
Water and electronics don’t mix too well. Depending on your camera model, you may be able to find a weather bag to fit it, but what ever you do, don’t be reckless with your gear. If you’re headed to the beach or the snow, then make sure you keep your camera dry. You can find protective covers for most DSLR cameras and probably for point and shoot cameras as well. If it’s raining and you must use your camera, have someone hold an umbrella over you and the camera.

Avoid dust and sand in your camera.
If you’re headed to the beach, you may want to avoid leaving your camera lying on the beach blanket. Sand can get into your camera, especially if you have a DSLR and change the lens or if you open the memory card slot of the camera. Sand and dust can damage the camera sensor as well as other parts. If you must take your camera to a place where there’s lots of sand and dirt, then make sure you exercise caution when opening any parts of the camera. Keep it stored in a secured bag and that you dust the bag off before you remove the camera. I do a lot of photo sessions by the beach and when I change my lens or open the memory card slot, I make certain I face away from the crashing waves to reduce any sand being kicked up into the camera and I make certain there is no sand or dust on the camera prior to opening it and changing the lens or inserting a new memory card.

Keep your camera in a well padded camera bag.
I keep all of my gear in padded camera bags and make sure that the zippers or snaps are secure on the bags at all times. I have learned the hard way; once after a photo shoot, I had just tossed one of my film cameras into my camera pack pack and did not secure it. Needless to say that when I arrived home and removed the backpack, I forgot it was not secure and dropped the camera, damaging the hot shoe. Luckily nothing major happened to my Nikon F3, but it was difficult adding an on camera flash to it after that. Now, I make sure that my assistance know to always secure the camera bags when they retrieve any gear from them regardless of how long they will need it outside of the bag. Even if they are just getting me a tool to tighten a screw, they have to make certain the bags are zipped up.

 

If you have any of your own ideas for safeguarding your camera and equipment, please leave a comment about it. I would love to hear how others may protect their valuable equipment.

3 Responses to “Safeguarding Your Camera and Captured Memories”

1. David Gertwin says:

   April 5, 2011 at 7:29 pm

   Excellent Post! I would add to take your batteries out of the camera when not in use for long periods of time. Your battery compartment can get corroded if you leave them in for long.

   Great stuff Alyn! I’m a big fan!

   Reply
2. Sidh says:

   April 13, 2011 at 8:34 am

   nice stuff!

   Reply
3. Rachael Chpman says:

   August 13, 2011 at 4:22 am

   This article is fantastic! Thanks for the tips on protecting your camera. I needed something like this a few months ago when my camera was stolen out of my car.

   Reply