Studio fire

[Scott McLoud]

I'm gutted

I got a call earlier this afternoon from the shop owner next door to my studio, and she told me that it was on fire. So i went out right away to see how bad it was, expecting a small fire but when i arrived i could see 3 fire engines, and alot of smoke.

I dont know why, or what happened but the fire brigade said that nothing is left inside of the building. Everything has gone, as the fire was intence. I had alot of gear in there, aswell as alot of work i was working on, 2 weddings and an advertising job i had. all gone, as they were on memory cards, sitting on my desk that i was going to sort out today.

Don't know what to do right now. Lucky i have insurance but im still in shock. Ive got no idea what i tell the 2 couples about the wedding pictures.

[Perry Ge]

OMG that sucks. I don't really know what else to say, that just...sucks so much. I'm glad you're ok and I'm glad you had insurance, but I feel for the poor couple and for you too.

[jgrussell]

There isn't anything anybody can say in a situation like this except that we're all so very sorry this happened to you.

[5Dmaniac]

That must be every photographer's worst nightmare. Real sorry to hear this happened to you. Hopefully the couples will understand. Offer to reshoot at least the formals.

[Scott McLoud]

Im just back from visiting one of the couples. They were upset to say the least. I did offer to do some mockup photos for them in the chruch, and that they would get a refund of which they said it would be nice to have something to remember their day. Very understanding too.

I could not get an answer to the other couple, as they are away on their honeymoon. I don't want to call them to spoil it by announcing that so i think i will wait untill they come back on Monday.

I just wish this was all a dream, and i could wake up and go to work in the morning like normal. Kind of lost now, my diary has also gone, so i don't know what i have booked in for next week.

[MDJAK]

Wow, that really does suck. This should be a sticky so everyone can read it (though no one reads stickies) and learn a valuable lesson: Have at least two copies of everything important in two different locations.

me

[cfpackerfan]

Oh Scott, that is terrible. I'm so sorry. :(

[harroz]

Scott, this news has rocked me, I feel for you. I might be on the otherside of the world, but I feel your pain brother, its a sad loss. Time will pass and you'll be back on track, you haven't lost everything. You still have you and your talent. People will be understanding so don't worry to much about that. Insurance was the wises move you made, be happy about that as you'll be able to get back to almost normal life quite quickly hopefully. And hopefully with all new gear.

A wise move to leave it until Monday for the other couple, let it sink in first so you can have a clearer mind and let them enjoy their honeymoon. Also a wise move to refund and reshoot a mock.

All the best

[Livinthalife]

1 Glad your safe, 2 sorry for the situation your caught up in. it WILL work out, it always does.

[WMS]

Your loss is unfortunate, however there is a small chance that some of the information on the memory cards can be recovered, if you can locate them. Hopefully the fire in the area of your desk was not as intense. You will only know once you have accessed the area and can asses the damage yourself. When you rebuild you might want to consider installing a fire resistant safe or fire resistant file cabinets to store media in.

Wayne

[HuskyKMA]

Wow Scott, that is horrible. :(

Although I expect the couples to be very disappointed, I am sure they will understand. This is certainly understand that this is not something that you meant to happen, it was just an unfortunate accident. At least a reshoot will give them something photographic to remember their weddings by.

Again, I'm sorry for you. Hopefully you can get back on your feet soon.

[goforphoto]

Dang! Talk about rotten luck. I feel for you, But look on the bright side since you are starting from scratch you now have the option of upgrading.

Still sucks though!

[Scott McLoud]

Thanks guys for your support.

I had tried to make everything as safe as possible. I had my computers and server (where i store backups of all my images) on a powersurge power lead, etc... everything was also inspected for saftey 4 months ago and everything passed with flying colours.

I went in today to have a look at the damage, and i could not even find my desk or cabnet where i kept some equipment. Just a pile of black ash. I did look around but it was impossible to find the memory cards. I could not even see my computer. Although, the server was not as bad, so i might beable to get something from the hard disks in there. But i am not allowed to touch anything as they are still investigating.

Grown man, in tears when i seen it. Fire brigade said it looks like it started where the main studio is, where the lights are. Even although they were unplugged (as i do every night before i close up) they said that it is highly possible that the heat that they produce can cause it. They dont know if it was the softbox or such but it looks like its started there.

My office was right next door to the main studio and the door was open as i always leave it, so nothing to stop the fire spreading through.

I did get a phonecall from the couple i visited yesterday, and they told me that they were in shock yesterday to find out that their perfect day has not been recorded as such, but were more than willing to do a mockup of their wedding, and the minister (pastor) has said he is happy to do this too. So i will be doing that tomorow with them. They did say it was okay and they did not mind waiting untill after the year but i feel so guilty for loosing their pics, i have to do something to make it up to them one way or another. What a horrible end of the year it would be for them if they had nothing to remember it by.

So for those who own a studio, or have those lights - make sure they are all unplugged, and cool before you leave them alone.

The only good thing about this, is that i can spend some time with my wife and kids.

[Wazza]

I feel so sorry for you Scott.

Best of luck in helping them doing a mock job

[ChristinaRk]

I am wondering if there are any other things we can learn from this terrible experience of yours. Are there any devices out there or other work flows that people have that could help prevent this happening to someone else? This could happen to any number of us. A fire in our own home, for those that are hobbiests.

Now I know of online media storage, and having a backup drive, but are there any other ideas that people can try to share that might get us thinking of this stuff?

I know this is my biggest fear. To lose all my files in a fire.

I have thought out some stupid stuff lying in bed trying to get to sleep. "What if I store everything on an external hard drive and attach it to a chain. Then have the other end of the chain hanging on a hook by the window over my computer. Then I can have an axe outside to break the window, grab the chain, and pull my external drive to safety...." This will leave me time (beforehand) to worry about saving my family.

Let's share our backup plans....

[Mark]

That is really really sad :(
Hope the insurance comes through easy, off chance they could blame on you for the lights, hopefully not though

With the lights, Unless you had just shot heaps with them, then unplugged them and gone home straight away, seems unlikely they would be at fault...

If I ever have a studio/wedding business this will be my lesson to keep two copies of all images at studio for disk failure, and keep hard drives at home with weekly updates or something, and one of those portable externals with me whenever I leave the studio, of course, even the best backup system only works as long as you stick to it.....

(oh, and my current backup system only protects against disk failure, I am just a hobbyist, but still think I might change that soon)

Some good will come out of it, don't know what, but something will come good, it always does in the end :)
(who knows you could save one of us on POTN from losing any important files in a fire/theft by this wake up call)

[neilwood32]

Sorry to hear about your problems. Glad to hear you were insured though and that the couples affected have been ok with reshoots.

I think there are lessons in this for a lot of people:
1) No matter what your backup plan is, keeping spare copies of everything is key and backing up off site as well.
2) Fireproof storage for all drives/cards etc( a fireproof safe for example). To be used at all times.
3) Install a sprinkler system. A small scale system should only cost £2000-3000 and wont wreck your entire place. Only the affected sprinkler heads operate. It would have knocked the fire down to a level where the overall damage was minimal.
4) Always check and double check power/heat output before leaving. My work (construction) have a system whereby the last hot item is shut off a minimum of 30 mins before the end of the day and the area checked after 30 mins has elapsed to ensure there are no problems.
5) Never leave doors open esp if they are fire doors. If you dont have fire doors, think about installing them. 30 mins fire protection could mean your data being safe.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing though.

[Scott McLoud]

Well ive done the mock up wedding with the couple and they were pleased that it turned out well.

As for backing up - normally my backup procedure is: Shoot on to 2 cards (1 cf and 1 sd), take the CF and download all files in to the PC, and then transfer them all to the server. That way i have a backup on the cf and sd cards (incase of failure of one card) on the pc and in the server. However by the time i got back to the studio, i put the card in the card reader, put the images on the pc but not to the server and put the cards on my desk as i had a client coming in and did not have time to sort things out.

I do hope though that this saves even 1 person.

The only saving grace out there is that nobody got injured.

Pendulum15, i had done a shoot which took around 3 hours, but as you might know its not all shooting. I do use the modeling lamp on them but i have done that for many years in the past. Also, i never EVER use cheap bulbs and such, it is always the official ones. Ive tried to run it through in my head, to what i done after it and i come to the same conclusion, that i done everything i normally do. said goodbye to the client, went to the studio, unplugged my equipment and put some of it away in its places. went over to the computer to check out the images. and around 15 minutes later i turned the lights off in that studio. Went to my office, got my keys and took the money out of the safe, and closed up.

The ironic thing, is that the safe, while it is black, it is a fireproof safe. I had some paperwork in there which is perfectly fine (bit smelly though)

So i guess the only backup plan i could give ChristinaRk is to buy a fireproof safe and make sure it is locked with a backup of your hard drive, or memory cards in it.

[BearSummer]

Scott,

I'm really glad to hear that you hadn't fallen asleep at your desk and been overcome by the smoke. We would all much rather read your tale of woe than read your obituary. Things can be replaced, people cant. Hopefully the insurance will come in quickly and you will get a bulk discount from whoever you are buying from.

Best wishes

BearSummer

[Scott McLoud]

Scott,

I'm really glad to hear that you hadn't fallen asleep at your desk and been overcome by the smoke.
Not the first time i have done that! I had a sofa in my office where clients can sit and i can have a chat with them, but its also very nice to have a nap on.

I phoned up the insurance today to get the claim started. They told me that they have to wait on the fire brigade report, police report (if its needed) and then they will do their own investgations.

[kab8715]

Glad to hear things went good with the reshoot.
Just a thought - Maybe you could ask the wedding couples if any of their friends/family took any photos as well at the wedding and you could offer to process them as well for free. I'm sure the other guest would be understanding as well and this way you could still give them a complete album.

[Scott McLoud]

Glad to hear things went good with the reshoot.
Just a thought - Maybe you could ask the wedding couples if any of their friends/family took any photos as well at the wedding and you could offer to process them as well for free. I'm sure the other guest would be understanding as well and this way you could still give them a complete album.
They have already had their friends and family help them with that. I will give them a call about getting them to send the images to me, as i can run them through pp and get rid of all those bad artifects in them that alot of people will probably have.

Nice idea, thanks.

[FocalPrincess]

I'm so very sorry to hear this!!

[Scott McLoud]

I am just back from talking with the other couple. They had a wonderful honeymoon, and were elated untill i told them the news. They were upset, but they did thank me for coming around in person, and for explaining what had happened.

I offered the same service to them, about the mockup wedding, so i am doing that tomorow morning with them. Unfortunatly the minister is not availible but the B&G don't mind that. Aslong as they have some in their wedding dress, they will be happy they said.

[toyoufromzero]

I can't even imagine. sounds like at least some things are turning out as well as they can but this has to just be devastating.

[ChristinaRk]

I am so releaved to hear that you have given the news to both the couples and they are opting to have some mock-ups done.

Although the originals were lost, you have no idea how much it says for your character as a person to go these lengths to help them with the loss of their memories (no pun intended). You are a great person to do this and I hope they can see beyond this unfortunate accident (through no fault of your own) and recommend you to others. I would hire you just on your ethics alone. Some photographers would just say "oh well, not my fault...sorry."

PS: I asked Santa for a fireproof cabinet for Christmas....

[lil_miss]

Glad to hear things have sort of worked themselves out... Its made me rethink my process about having backups in two places straight after a wedding.

[Scott McLoud]

Some photographers would just say "oh well, not my fault...sorry."
I could never live with myself if i said that, as i do feel responcible. It was my studio, and my lights. Might not have been me exactly but its how i see it all. They also paid me for a job, and put their trust and faith in me to complete the job in the time allocated of which i had failed to do so.

Well i finished the other wedding mock up today, and ive sorted out the images with pp for them so just waiting on the printing being done. Normally i do them myself but i dont have a professional printer in my house. So have to wait untill the company have sorted them for me.

So thats both couples been refunded and had mock up weddings sorted out.

[WMS]

Scott, You also mentioned that you had an advertising project on your desk, Are they also willing to let you work with them? Also have you considered taking some time to plan any changes you might want to implement in your studio? Do you own the building or do you rent? Is relocation something you might want to consider? Obviously you will want to upgrade much of the destroyed equipment will your fire insurance policy cover the changes you will want to make, and will your bank lend you the funds necessary to implement the changes you will need to pay for yourself?

While this is a disaster there is also opportunity remodel and upgrade equipment.


Wayne

[Scott McLoud]

The advertising company got another photogarpher to do it, which was a bit of a blow to me but i do understand.

I had a long chat with my wife though, and ive decided i cant do it again. I cant go through the whole setup of a new studio, for me to sell up in a few years time, so i'm going to take early retirement i think. Maybe beable to keep it as a hobby though, as i do like it.

I do hope its okay, but ive listed some items i have that i know i wont use and i'd rather somebody else have some use out of them than have them sitting collecting dust.

I also hope i am still allowed to be on here, even though it wont be my job anymore :)

[breal101]

Scott, first I must say that you are truly a stand up guy for doing the right thing with your clients. I wish you the best. The studio I work for burned down in 2006, it was a considerable shock to say the least. I couldn't bring myself to even go look at it for six months afterward. We got past it though and now are running again. The owner took the insurance money (and a considerable loan) and built his dream home which now serves as a studio as well. My only advice would be that you consider all options before giving your business up altogether, right now you are in a state of shock which is totally understandable. Again, all the best to you and your family.

[Scott McLoud]

Scott, first I must say that you are truly a stand up guy for doing the right thing with your clients. I wish you the best. The studio I work for burned down in 2006, it was a considerable shock to say the least. I couldn't bring myself to even go look at it for six months afterward. We got past it though and now are running again. The owner took the insurance money (and a considerable loan) and built his dream home which now serves as a studio as well. My only advice would be that you consider all options before giving your business up altogether, right now you are in a state of shock which is totally understandable. Again, all the best to you and your family.
Hey thanks. I cant do it though. I did think about it but it will take atleast 6 months to get everything sorted out, and i just dont want to go through all that pain again, of getting it set up, to sell up in a few years.

Only annoying part at the moment is the insurance. I know that will drag out for a while. They always do lol

[jgrussell]

I also hope i am still allowed to be on here, even though it wont be my job anymore :)Good Lord, yes. Most of us on this forum are pure hobbyists.