Photography Karma – I’ll Trade You A Lens For A Kitten
Share:
Wedding photography can be a roller-coaster of ups and downs.
Here’s one way to tell if you’re having a good day:
Leave a brand new Nikon 20mm f/1.8 lens laying on the ground during the park photos. Have it found by a random passerby who proceeds to jump into her car, drive in the general direction she thought the limo went, spot the bride’s dress while she’s having her photo taken in the garden of the banquet center, pull over and return the lens.
Yes, someone found a $1000 lens sitting on the ground – then tracked down the wedding party just to return it to the wedding photographer (me).
The whole experience left me feeling really awesome about the state of the world – and also feeling like I owe someone some serious karma.
Meet My New Cat – Karma
Two days later, I received this text from my wife: “Hey look what we found in the backyard”.
Now, I’m pretty sure that cat karma isn’t really equivalent to people karma.
I mean, I already own three cats, which is one more than I originally agreed to.
Its a long story, but it involved adopting two kittens and temporarily taking in their mother until she could find a home (which of course she already had).
So, according to my wife and kids – by taking in a stray kitten I’d actually be saving someone else from having to shell out for a lifetime of food and vet bills – so I’d be even with the universe.
Free Family Photo Session – Or a Free Cat – Or Both!
Somehow, I have a sneaking suspicion that the universe is getting the better end of this deal…
So, if you are the amazing woman at Morningstar Mill at DeCew Falls in St. Catharines Ontario on Saturday August 8th around 3:00 in the afternoon and you returned my lens to me at Amici’s Banquet Centre in Thorold – I am really sorry that I didn’t get your name – but in the extremely rare chance that you read this – I’d like to offer you a free family photo session – just leave me a message.
Or how about a free kitten.
Or how about both a free kitten and a family photo session?
The Moral Of The Story
OK, so you’re probably all wondering – HOW COULD YOU FORGET A $1000 LENS AT THE PARK?
I know – pretty dumb right?
(And the more humorless among you are probably also wondering, what does this have to do with DIY or Photography? Nothing really, its just a fun story. Also, yes I do realize that the title reads like a bad Craigslist ad – that was kinda the point).
The thing is, wedding photography moves extremely fast. I had less than 45 minutes to photograph portraits of the bride and groom and the wedding party, so in the interest of speed and versatility I decided to leave my camera bag in the car and just grab the one additional piece of gear I thought I might need – the 20mm f/1.8.
Unfortunately, that lens is just a teeny bit too big to fit into a pocket – so that meant putting it down while shooting, then grabbing it again to go to the next location.
In hindsight, it seems pretty obvious that sooner or later I would forget about it while rushing to capture everything I needed to get.
What Have You Lost During A Wedding Shoot?
I have a suspicion that in the heat of battle, wedding photographers leave gear behind all the time.
What have you lost at a wedding?
Have you ever been reunited with gear that you thought was gone forever?
Do you think agreeing to keep a stray kitten is sufficient karma to repay the universe for returning my lens?
Leave a comment and let us know!
Update
Between writing and publishing this story Karma the Kat (who was re-named Tina by the kids for reasons only they understand) has been adopted out to a happy forever home – thereby relieving me the duties of caring for another poop machine.
(To be completely honest, it relieves my wife the duties of caring for another poop machine, but I scooped frozen poopsicles from a Bernese Mountain Dog for 8 years – so who’s keeping score?)
Anyway, I think that means I am still in debt to the universe.
Maybe the kids will find a karma chameleon tomorrow.
JP Danko
JP Danko is a commercial photographer based in Toronto, Canada. JP can change a lens mid-rappel, swap a memory card while treading water, or use a camel as a light stand.
Related Posts
Photographer Delivers Himself In A Box To Surprise Chronically Ill Fan For 21st Birthday
This photographer turned a group of ill and disabled kids into the real Justice League
This is what virtual reality was made for: immersive kitten videos
Rare Portraits of Ill-Fated Arctic Expedition Leaders Set for Auction
Join the Discussion
DIYP Comment Policy
Be nice, be on-topic, no personal information or flames.
7 responses to “Photography Karma – I’ll Trade You A Lens For A Kitten”
That was a fun read.
If you have a neoprene lens case and an old camera strap, you can fasion yourself a sling for a spare lens. Wedge a micro fibre cloth under one side and tie some lens cap leashes to the other.
This was bothering me at work
(Great article btw)
Thanks! Actually, I was just packing for a camping trip and came across two water bottle holders that strap onto your backpack – which would also work.
That’s a lovely story, just on the right side of the usual glurge. Well done. It’s also nice to finally read something that’s not a 1000 times rehashed article about “tips”.
Camera belt with pouch for the lens, I use the Spider holster for events with the pouch attached. Makes it easy to swap and carry lenses without being in everyone’s way when wearing a backpack.
I left a backpack with filters and a small video camera at Rocky Mountain National Park. An unnamed stranger turned it in…Lost-and-Found really does work!
Lucky, lucky, lucky! If I did this where I live and work, it would have made its way to the nearest Cash Converters. I know as I nearly lost a light stand and brolly by leaving it a mere 20yrds from where I worked with the b&g. A no-mark threw it into the long grass nearby so I couldn’t find it and would walk away. Only the advice of the groom to check the grass meant I find it.