Alabama-based photographer Ashtynn Wilhite was in San Francisco for simply someday when catastrophe struck.
Wilhite says the laborious drive containing almost the entire photographs she snapped of a marriage was stolen by thieves who broke into her automotive close to the Painted Women on Sept. 21 between 7 and seven:30 p.m. The thieves additionally made off with at the very least $15,000 value of digital camera gear, she says.
“We had such an outstanding day there, and swiftly it was simply ripped away,” Wilhite informed SFGATE. “It was so unhappy.”
The couple, Alex and Tyler Hamel, have been married in Birmingham, Alabama in early September. They’re providing a $2,000 reward for the return of the images, along with Wilhite’s $5,000 reward for the return of the laborious drive and her laptop computer.
Wilhite mentioned she was in San Francisco the day of the theft to shoot engagement photographs for an additional couple. They drove throughout San Francisco, taking within the sights, once they determined to make Alamo Sq. their final cease. With no room within the trunk of her automotive, Wilhite determined to depart her and her assistant’s digital camera gear lined by blankets within the again seat. They shot at Alamo Sq. for less than a handful of minutes.
“I noticed the glass however it didn’t actually hit me,” Wilhite recalled. “I believed one thing broke. I bought out of the automotive, and the window was shattered. Then it hit me any individual stole our gear.”
A photograph after the automotive was damaged into on Sept. 21, 2021.
Courtesy Ashtynn WilhiteWilhite mentioned she “instantly went into shock,” dropping to her knees, sobbing, “Someone stole our stuff.”
She mentioned she instantly known as the police, who allegedly informed her to name 311, which then instructed her to file a report on-line. Wilhite went to SFPD headquarters anyway in an try and file a report, however she mentioned they directed her to the net kind as nicely.
“This sort of stuff would not actually occur the place we’re from,” she mentioned. “If one thing like this did occur, the police can be extra intrigued to assist. However in San Francisco, they’re like this occurs every single day, sucks to suck. There’s actually nothing they’ll do, it is such an enormous metropolis.”
There may be some excellent news. Wilhite had despatched the Hamels a “sneak peek” of the marriage just a few days after the occasion. She says the 50 photographs or so she despatched is now all that is still of the big day.
“I don’t usually do this,” Wilhite mentioned. “I gave them a considerably massive sneak peek again as a result of their marriage ceremony day was so wonderful. I got here straight residence and edited some. It was a god factor.”
