Why you don't delete your photos (sad)

[boxofrocks]

I wanted to share this, since it shows a good reason to keep your photos for longer than you think you need to.

Last year, I shot wrestling team photos for Coppell High. Last night, I was talking to one of the moms, who told me that her son's best friend, a former wrestler, died the night before.

Today that boy's mom called me to ask if they could get an enlargement of his individual photo for the funeral this weekend. Naturally, I'm dropping everything to get them an 11x14 ASAP. I'll deliver it to them already framed, so at least that's one less thing they need to worry about.

17 years old, and dead from an overdose.

Hug your kids a little longer when they get home today.

[Jay Henley]

That is nice for you to do that for them Tom. they will appreciate that...... that reminds me. need to do a back up.

[ppcass]

Very tragic, Tom. I have had this happen as well. I shot team & indiviuals about a year ago. the mom didn't want to have her son's individual shot done because she couldn't afford to purchase it. As is our poloicy we did it anyway, with reasuurances she didn't have to buy it but might want to later. ^ months later he was hit by a car and killed. Fourtunatly we had his shot for them. Save everything.

[Wendy]

Very kind of you to do that for them, Tom. I'll have to keep this in mind as I am guilty of deleting some (not all) photos after 2-3 years.

[boxofrocks]

Originally Posted by ppcass

Very tragic, Tom. I have had this happen as well. I shot team & indiviuals about a year ago. the mom didn't want to have her son's individual shot done because she couldn't afford to purchase it. As is our poloicy we did it anyway, with reasuurances she didn't have to buy it but might want to later. ^ months later he was hit by a car and killed. Fourtunatly we had his shot for them. Save everything.

I've heard of things like this before from other photographers, but never thought I'd have to do it.

Thanks to those that call this "kind", but I see this as my responsibility as a fellow parent, for that matter, fellow human being. This truly falls under the category of "the least I could do".

I don't need any attaboys for something like this--I'd be a true b@st@rd if I didn't do it.

I'm trying to get in touch with another mom right now just to double check I have the right image.

[ndsimm]

Thanks for the reminder, I had something similar happen when the young man from Lamar/Rice University died. somce of his teammates remember me shooting him and I was able to provide some shots for his parents too....
...and I'll hug my son as soon as I see him tonight...

[carrbowl]

My nephew was hurt in at Plano East High School two weeks ago at a wrestlling tournament in Arlington. Paralyzed from the chest down still as we speak...no he's not dead, but he may never be the same and I'm sure one of you has a photo of him...please keep it...they may need to show him like we may never see him again..

[Silvernic]

Tom, I thought for sure you were going to say you didn't have it anymore. I'm glad you did.

[robert t]

Everything burned to DVD x2 one for file and one for archive, reminds me I need a fire safe. HDD caddies are good too. pull them and lock them up.

[Janice_d]

(((( TOM))))) from a mom who has been down that road.. THANKS.. this will mean more than you know... Janice

[boxofrocks]

I went over last night to their house to deliver the framed photo. They were so incredibly gracious and such a nice family that it mad me that much sadder.

I spoke to them for quite a long time, and the Mom's boyfriend and I actually have mutual friends from long ago in my past. I also discovered yesterday that my wife's step-mom (my step-mother-in-law?) was actually the boys Sunday school teacher. Small world.

He was a really good kid that made good decisions about 90% of the time--this was just a bad one that cost his family dearly. I wish I could do more for them. Coppell is kind of a small town in the middle of a big city, and I feel like this is hitting really close to home.

Life is about the decisions we all make. You can't protect your kids, you just have to do your best to give them all the tools they need to make good decisions. As I sit here and type, I'm watching my almost-3-year-old watch cartoons. I pray that I have the ability to teach him in a way that he will remember.