By ALANA MITCHELSON
Overwhelming support for a crowdfunding campaign to replace stolen camera gear worth $10,000 has humbled a South Geelong photographer.
Kristian Wild was shocked to find his house trashed and a backpack full of digital camera gear gone when he returned home on 29 October.
The 22-year-old had been working a retail job for the past three years to save for the expensive equipment so he could further his photography career.
The backpack also contained film cameras with “sentimental value” because he had owned them since he was 13.
The burglar broke in through a bedroom window, Mr Wild said.
“They’d gone through everything, all my clothes were on the ground. I felt very violated.
“They left bigger things, like the TV and my housemate’s guitars, and seemed to grab anything smaller they could just pick up and take with them.”
Mr Wild, who recently completed a shoot for musicians Angus and Julia Stone, said the similar situation of an American photographer inspired the crowdfunding campaign.
The campaign had raised about $2300 since beginning two weeks ago, he said.
Mr Wild was grateful to his supporters, who had helped him buy a basic camera body and lens so he could continue his work in the meantime.
“It’s not what I had but it’s a start.
“I’ve been quite surprised by how many of my friends on Facebook and Instagram have donated. People who I wouldn’t have thought would care actually do care.
“Some are friends from years ago. It’s quite special.
“Even though I’m sad about what happened, I know that my new gear I’ll eventually buy will be special because it will be a gift from all my friends.”
Mr Wild said his campaign was open at gofundme.com/he7t8zpg
