Something that happened last week really hit home for me. Everyone probably already has heard, as it has been reported by almost every single news agency in the world; Australian photographer Brett Costello was robbed of $40,000 of camera gear in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last week while in town to cover the Olympics. However, this article isn't about him specifically.
Most of the readers don't know, but I live in Lima, Peru, which is right next to Brazil for us that are geographically challenged. I would like to share with everyone what I have dealt with and continue to deal with on a daily basis as a professional photographer working in South America. Besides telling everyone about my own personal experiences, I hope to bring light to this subject that maybe many outsiders don't realize is going on here, and start a discussion.
People usually associate being mugged with dark alleys or in an empty parking lot at night like in the main image above. Not in Lima, Peru, Not in South America. People are robbed here on a daily basis, broad daylight, and with lots of people around. Especially artists such as photographers and videographers, as we rely on using expensive equipment to make our art, we are constantly a target.
San Juan de Lurigancho in Peru. A poorer district of Lima, where lots of criminal activity originates from.
Unfortunately in my almost five years of living and working in Lima, I have been a victim of theft twice, and had a third close call. The first time was a face to face mugging where I did not loose any of my camera gear, but I did loose many other possessions, the second time was a robbery I wasn't present for, but that time I did lose a lot of photography equipment.
Let me explain, I won't get into tons of details (If anyone is that curious about the details, just ask me in the comments, and I will be happy to explain and answer any questions you have), but the first time I was robbed, it was very similar to what happened to Mr. Costello in Brazil last week, minus the decoy to distract me. They robbed me of everything I had on me at the time, middle of the day, sun out, public place with people nearby, two police officers just around the corner. They were very well organized and prepared, it was over in seconds and they jumped in a getaway car that was waiting and gone in the blink of the eye. They knew exactly what they were doing, and seemed like they had done it a thousand times.
Also just like in Rio de Janeiro, nobody seemed surprised, not even the police. After I located two officers nearby maybe a minute later and told them what just happened to me. They seemed very nonchalant, told me it is over, they are gone already. I knew everything they took was gone forever, and I would never see it again,
It was also was reported a few days ago, Mr. Costello ended up catching two of the guys who robbed him, by noticing them inside an Olympic venue wearing his very vest they stole from him! And one the criminals is actually from Peru! I am curious if these criminals actually traveled into Brazil from Peru just to steal at the Olympics, knowing how many thousands of photographers are there with expensive equipment, I wouldn't be shocked at all. These criminals are smart and very well calculated for the most part. Unfortunately Mr. Costello probably will never see any of his gear again either, like me. As they do here in Lima, the goods exchange hands multiple times, and then pawned off almost immediately.
The second time I was a victim of robbery here in South America, I was not present, and did not have to deal with being robbed face to face again. But the company that I work for was doing a video production, and I lent them a bunch of my equipment for the job. A camera, a couple lenses, my tripod, and a few accessories. I was supposed to have it all returned to me in 24 hours, but that never happened. They were a group of eight people working on the video shoot together that day, but two guys with guns robbed them all! They took everything they had. They thought they felt safe in numbers, but it doesn't matter. Even if you are a group of twenty people, they will use five guys with guns, and nothing you can do it about. Your life is worth more than anything, so you just have to give them what they want, and not fight back. You can replace a camera, you can not replace your life.
I even had a third close call, when working at an event here in Lima. I had a shoulder bag on, and lucky enough I felt something not right. I turned around to find someone with there hand inside my bag! I had an extra lens in there, and If I did not feel him and turn around at that moment, he would have taken the lens and took off.
The Plaza de Armas in Lima, Peru. Normally a prime spot for criminals to pickpocket and do grab and run type crimes. On election day, as seen here, the plaza is closed off to the public. It is the only time you will ever see this plaza empty. It is normally filled with people and tourists.
Cameras and lenses are so expensive in Peru. Depending on what, and how much gear you are buying, it can even be cheaper with airfare to fly to New York, and buy it at B&H, than buying it here in Lima alone.
For example, a Canon 5D Mark III as of today is $2,599 brand new at B&H; here right now in Lima at an authorized Canon seller, it costs $3,562.26. A Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM costs $125 at B&H today, and is $191.13 here in Lima. That is over a $1,000 difference to buy the combo! Not only can I fly to New York to buy it at B&H, I can also see my family, and I will still have a few hundred dollars left over. Amazing!
I know people can be robbed anytime, anywhere, no place is 100% safe; but it is an epidemic here in Lima, Peru, and from what I read and hear it a huge issue in all of South America. Unfortunately I feel this will not be the only story of a photographer being robbed we all hear about in the news before the Olympics come to end in a couple of weeks. And not just the thousands of professionals there working, but also the more than half a million tourists expected to visit Rio over the next two weeks. The criminals know they have been coming for years, and I am sure have been planning this for months in advance.
It is disgusting what goes on, but it is actually the one and only thing I dislike about living in Peru; the crime and the delinquency. Everything else here is great for me and I am very happy. Besides these bad people ruining it for everyone else, the majority of the people here are amazing. They are over the top friendly, strangers make you feel like family, the food is outstanding, costs of living is less, just a wonderful culture. The funny thing is, even with all the crime, for some reason, I feel less stress in my life living here, I am not sure why that is exactly, or how to describe that, but it is the truth. It is very sad for me to see such a beautiful place have such an ugly side to it.
Miraflores at sunset. One of the safer and more upscale neighborhoods in Peru, but crime still occurs here.
If anyone wants to share there own personal stories of having photo or video equipment stolen, be it in the United States, while abroad, working on an assignment, or just out shooting for fun, feel free to share. Maybe your story can prevent someone from experiencing the same fate in the future. Crime happens everywhere, but it is on an whole other level here in South America.
I like to shoot timelapse out in the middle of nowhere so the chances of encountering a thief is pretty low, however I do carry an aluminum baseball bat with me, not to fight off thieves but to fight off tiny scary animals.
I'm usually more worried about bears and mountain lions!
Yea I guess depending where you are in the world, the threat might not only be human. Some people have to deal with Bears, Big Cats, Snakes, Scorpions, etc.......I love animals, but I'd rather go up against a thief face to face than a Mountain Lion if given the choice Haha
I drove to Panama from California with tens of thousands of dollars of photo gear and computer equipment, and not a lens cap went missing, because I avoided cities like the plague. I hugged the coastline and never worried or had trouble with anything but crooked cops.
San francisco, New York, Rio, LA, Mexico City, your stuff is a target and so are you if you stick out. Does not matter what country you are in, big cities are always where the theft takes place.
Simple things like not having bags that say "Canon" or "Nikon" and having a packing blanket to cover larger expensive looking bags and cases in the back of my hatchback are some of the best deterrents. If its out of sight, no one knows its there..
I also throw away all of the neck straps that come with my cameras, not one needs to know what kind of camera I am carrying and I replace them with generic (and usually more comfortable) straps, or ones with s security cable built in - to keep people from cutting the strap.
Also, insurance is a pain in the ass to pay for, but if something gets stolen or broken, you'll be glad you had it.
Those are all great tips and ideas. Definitely hide and cover up your gear when it's not being used and in storage. I also don't promote to the world what gear I have when I'm out working. I change my straps for something without logos and more comfortable like you said too, and I use simple black bags without huge name brands to transport it. But you have to take out your camera to make images, and at least here in Lima, the criminals do not care about straps or logos, they see a camera being used, they stalk you, call there buddies, follow you and wait for the perfect time to pounce.........And as far as insurance, because I am living in Peru, it is like car insurance for first time drivers in the usa. The cost of coverage I would have to pay is about 50% of the value of the gear, the insurance company knows there is huge possibility I will have it stolen and they will have to cut me a check, so there rates reflect that. In the USA it is a lot more economical to insure camera gear.
What I also did with my camera bags, I've put some dirt on ti. So it looks more used. Because most of the time, camera bags are also clean on the outside.
That might help in some situations, I keep my bags dirty too :). But what happened with Brett Costello last week, and what has happened to many photographers I know here in Lima, The criminals first see you taking pictures, you put the camera away into your bag, but they know it's in there. So they follow and stalk you, and they are very patient, and wait for the right moment to pounce.
When I purchased my 5D II way back when, I made the mistake of buying a Canon bag along with it. It's a great bag but that big metal Canon tag on the front might as well say "Steal Me". It now stays at home as just a lens storage bag. Live and learn as they say.
Yes I wouldn't recommend a Canon brand bag or any bag that easy is identifiable as a camera bag, but it honestly does not matter, at least in South America. The criminals are not looking for bags, they are looking for cameras. Once you take it out of you unmarked bag, and the wrong person notices you, you are now marked. You put it away back into your bag, but they know it is there, And they follow you and wait for the right moment to grab it or assault you.
Yea I must say outside the capitol of Lima, crime is not an issue in Peru. It still happens obviously, but nothing like in the city. I travel often inside of Peru all around the country with zero issues. And these smaller towns usually do not have any police what so ever, and in Lima where there is a huge police presence, ironically is where the crime goes on. It is all backwards.
This is why I am an advocate of open-carry. I don't know what legal boundaries with carry and/or carry and conceal you have there in South America. I sometimes go into what we call 'sketchy' places. Thankfully I can open carry. I am ex-military and trained a bit better than most but you can always take classes for weapon safety and use. I don't advocate everyone carrying a weapon. I think a lot of situation awareness is in order. The rise of photographer crime is a bit disconcerting. (in any nation). I am sorry to hear about your situations. NY isn't much better :)
You really think carrying a gun will protect you some how? Many people, actually a lot are carrying guns in South America, (legal or not) and still have extremely insecurity levels. When using a gun in such conditions is to kill, nobody shows a gun to say don't rob me I am carrying a gun.
Hi Dana, how does it work if you're confronted by an unarmed pair ripping you off and you have a gun with you? Seems like that situation would somehow get me locked up, especially in NY. I get that the gun is a deterrent but what if just pointing it doesn't work and they keep coming at you? At what point can you use deadly force? (Legit question, I'm not an ant-gun person. I've always wondered if carrying one to protect my stuff would end up with me holding the bag. Thanks in advance.
Never take out a gun if you are not going to use it. If the person attacking you has one he will definitely shooot you. So if you are not willing to kill someone better not have one.
For sure. And that's the fuzzy part. If they are unarmed robbing you and you shoot them in NY, you could be the one going to jail. It's crazy.
Jim, I did state that I am not an advocate for "everyone" to use a weapon. I would only bring one with me if in an area that would be deemed "dangerous". Generally I bring a second person along and keep the weapon close. Sometimes wearing it, most of the time not. NY is not gun friendly, I don't know the state laws on carrying a concealed weapon but that might be an option. You don't resort to deadly force unless you feel your life with be threatened. Loss of your gear vs loss of your life equates to an easy decision. The Japanese have a rule of thumb with the sword. Never drawn the sword unless you are going to spill blood, crude but an effective message that you don't pull out a weapon unless it's the very last resort. I've taken classes on defense and what criminals look for. BTW this is why I don't live in NY or any other state that has crazy laws that protects criminals (my opinion). Always check with law enforcement before carrying, being proactive letting them know save you and them a world of headaches. Since this part of my last blurp didn't catch on: "I am NOT an advocate of everyone carrying a weapon" because most people panic during certain situations. Training helps but doesn't cover how you will react. Bring a second person, according to the criminology course, two people are far more effective in the criminal selecting someone else than you being alone. (Appendium: I don't hate NY just think it has some crazy pro-criminal laws)(which is my own person opinion based on my findings. I've been to NY many times. I love the people there just not the criminals).
In Peru you do need a permit to have a gun, I am unsure of what the process to obtain the license is exactly, but I also know many many people own and carry guns without the proper paper work. If someone wants a gun, here or there in the usa, they can get one. However here in Peru most laws are not enforced, and if the police do try to give you a problem, simply give him $20 and they will leave you alone, no matter what law you were breaking.
My only gear is a 5 yr-old point-&-shoot superzoom with a 1990s home video tripod, which evokes more pity than envy...
I would be much more at ease if I could work with a 5 year old point and shoot. Much cheaper to replace. But I am not sure my clients would be happy with the files though :)
I change all of my photos to fake pencil sketches, so composition & subject are the only thing that matters, NOT equipment!
I was ripped off in Hawaii while doing some work.
Now I never just lock n leave.
If we stop I always keep sight of the car.
In the hotel we chain all the locked cases to furniture if we go somewhere.
Even during a shoot I will lock stuff up.
I have had stuff go missing if you get to scattered.
I do a lot of similar things as you, smart ideas Mike! I even have my gear at home inside a Pelican case that is locked to my bed frame. But you still have to take the camera out of hiding to work, and when it is out and around your neck, at least here in Lima, you are instantly a target.
This is actually one of my problems whenever I travel. Because here in Dubai, most of time i have my camera strapped over my shoulder whenever I go to my events/shoots. 99% I feel safe here. Then here comes the dumb me whenever I fly elsewhere and doing the same thing and forgetting that majority of the places in the world has shameless thieves and snatchers.
That was my exact situation when I first got to Peru a few years ago. I was so accustomed to not having any problems, never having to look over my shoulder while in New York and New Jersey. I never got robbed once in over 20 years of living there. I was in for a shock when I got here! But you live and you learn. Now when on a job, I am aware of everything going on around me.......I'm focused on the light, model, composition, exposure........and those guys on the corner watching us.
It's sad that robbery happens. Our house in North America was broken into; we moved into the house in July and our house was broken into in November. They kicked in the garage door and then kicked in the door to the kitchen.
They stole a 27" TV (CRT tube) that had been repaired from a lightning strike, a VCR that had been repaired for eating tapes (I hope they used that as a personal VCR). They abandoned the microwave in the garage. They must've been exhausted after carrying out that 27" tube TV. This occurred years ago.
Wow! That is terrible.........but seems fixing the garage door was probably the biggest expense? I tried to help my father get rid of a 32'' tube TV a few years back, nobody wanted it, we couldn't even give it away for free!
Sounds like an armed security guard is a cheap solution to your problem. I've never had to worry about theft, shooting only stateside. I do know B&H has a significant clientele from Brazil. They even have a Portuguese language version of their site, and a dedicated Portugese-speaking team in their retail store. You're not the only South American who values US pricing on electronics.
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Yes an armed off duty police officer is the way I go now. So far, so good. But like Jeff says, if he is corrupt, it is not a perfect solution. And talk about it being a cheap solution, the cop gets paid approximately $30 for the entire day, to stay with use for about 9 hour straight. Working at McDonalds in the US pays more.
hopefully the first 2 shots in the article were not taken with a $2K camera... if they were you were robbed!!
Not a lot of options for the very poor in that part of the world...if the shoe was on the other foot, I would steal your gear to feed my family.
There are over 30 Million people in Peru. More than half of them live in poverty. I would imagine a very very small percentage of them are committing these types of crimes, and now giving the rest of the ''good' people a bad name. There are millions and millions of poor people in Peru surviving and getting by without resorting to a life of crime.
Did you have insurance? I worry about theft quite often and decided to buy an insurance plan with a low deductible
If I was still living in the USA, I would 100% have all my gear insured. But as far as insurance living in Peru, it is like car insurance for first time drivers in the usa. The cost of coverage I would have to pay is about 50% of the value of the gear, the insurance company knows there is huge possibility I will have it stolen and they will have to cut me a check, so there rates reflect that. It is just not economical for me or in my budget right now.
I went to Russia, Saint Petersburg (some may know this city by its previous names Petrograd and Leningrad) and we were a large group of people. I witnessed a robbery 2 meters (thats around 6½ feet to you americans) in front of me. It was on broad daylight and people around. Three guys came out of nowhere and two of them grabbed the hands of the victim. Third one searched all the pockets and after a few seconds it was over and the men disappeared into the crowd. Luckily only a wallet went missing. Moments later one of the robbers came back and gave the man back his wallet, all cards in (probably copied) but cash was the only thing missing. We had plenty of cameras and other equipment with us and luckily none of that got taken.
Wow! sound exactly how they do it here and what happened to me.......minus the robber coming back to return my wallet.
Jeez, what a story! It's a completely different part of the world that I live in, I guess. Personally, I tend to lose stuff in the woods rather than getting mugged. No dangerous wild animals here in the Dutch countryside either, but I think your article is a stark reminder of how we've come to be a little too comfortable with thousands of dollars strapped to our shoulders. Kudo's, Dustin!
Yes it was quite the bit of culture shock when I first got here. I was in an extreme state of being comfortable in the USA.......The forrest sounds nice right about now.
@Daniel, I was in Maastricht this year. I know one of the "flikken" (Flemish for cops) working there. He warned me for pickpockets. So take care in the Netherlands too. But not so dangerous as in Peru or Brasil.
A tip I got from people is to use duct tape on your camera so it looks broken and less saleable.
And also watch this youtube movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YWaloz-Duw
Damn. I just began saving money for a hitchhiking trip (Peru-Bolivia-Chile-Antarctica) that I want to do next year with my fiance (wife by the time). I only have a Fuji X-Pro (small and incognito) so I'm hoping for the best. I hope my trip to the other side of the planet won't end up with us getting robbed... :-D
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That sounds like it would be an incredible trip with your wife! I am sure it will be amazing. But you do have to be extremely cautious hitchhiking, be it in south america or anywhere else in the world.
It's so silly how gun lovers think that by carrying guns they will protect themselves. In many places in South America a lot of people are carrying guns, (legally or not) and we still suffer from the highest insecurity levels in the world. Those who say that's okay to carry a gun are you sure you are not going to hesitate killing someone? Are you certain you are willing to take the life of another human been as you are all saying? When been robbed taking a gun out only works if you are going to kill the robber, showing it will not protect you anyway.
You just need more and bigger guns and you'll be safe, thank god for the second amendment.
Sarcasm aside, I believe that carrying guns could be at least a deterrent and maybe you won't be a target of unarmed robbers, thus reducing your chances of being robbed, even if slightly.
The criminals in Peru, or ''Piranhas'' are they are called here, because they always attack in numbers......they are also always armed weather it be guns or knives. Unfortunately a gun won't help you, if 3 guys with knives sneak up behind you and hold you down.
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I have never been to Bolivia before, I would love to come visit one day!
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Same here in Peru, almost all of the drugs are exported! I saw much worse drugs available and people with severe drug problem in New Jersey than I do in Lima.