Skip to main content Digital Camera World Digital Camera World THE HOME OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY Search Digital Camera World View Profile Accessories Buying Guides The Photography & Video Show Digital Camera Australian Camera Australian ProPhoto Photography Magazines Why subscribe? Issues filled with product reviews, latest updates, expert advice and more Delivered to your Android or IOS device Every issue is packed with photo tips, kit reviews and inspiration From$12View Camera news Camera rumors Photography & Video Show Photo mag deals Cheatsheets Photography Photography Styles Wedding Photography Divers recover wedding photographer’s camera after plunge into lake – and the photos survived Hillary K. Grigonis 8 April 2025 A fire department recovered the $5,000 Sony camera kit during part of a dive training When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Adobe Stock) A wedding photographer was taking post-ceremony photographs on a dock in Tempe Town Lake in Tempe, Arizona, when he tripped and fell into the lake, losing his camera in the process. But, thanks to a local fire department’s dive team, the couple was able to retrieve those lost images despite the camera spending several days underwater. Photographer Anil Kanwar of Akphotographers (@akphotographers) was photographing groom Gunrinder Singh and bride Valeria Perez at the lake after the couple’s traditional Indian wedding ceremony. The groom said he just blinked, and the photographer had fallen off the dock, losing his camera in the water in the process. “I was not worried about the camera, but I was worried about the images,” Kanwar said. The groom said that the photographer wanted to jump back in after the camera, but the couple didn’t want him to take that risk. You may like A hobbyist photographed a stranger’s proposal on a beach. Social media helped them connect less than 24 hours later Photographer Steven Haining breaks world record for the deepest underwater photo shoot Divers able to recover wedding photos after photographer falls into lake - YouTube To get those photos back, the photographer reached out to the local Tempe Fire Department. The fire department’s dive team is usually tasked with finding things in the lake for the police department, from cars to evidence, but explained that while they don’t usually recover lost personal items from the lake, the team already had a training dive scheduled. The fire department then decided to move the training to the location where the camera had fallen. Visibility underwater is poor in Tempe Town Lake, the fire department explained. Three divers – all of whom are married and knew the importance of those images – spent 20 minutes feeling around on the bottom of the lake. The third and final diver finally felt the camera near the end of his 20-minute dive, resurfacing with a water-logged Sony camera and lens. A post shared by Tempe Fire (@tempefire) A photo posted by on The camera and lens, valued at around $5,000, did not survive its dip into the lake, where it sat at the bottom for several days. But, the photographer notes that insurance replaced his camera and, most importantly, all the images on the memory card were intact. You may also like Browse the best cameras for wedding photography or the best waterproof cameras. Get the Digital Camera World Newsletter The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Hillary K. Grigonis Social Links Navigation With more than a decade of experience reviewing and writing about cameras and technology, Hillary K. Grigonis leads the US coverage for Digital Camera World. Her work has appeared in Business Insider, Digital Trends, Pocket-lint, Rangefinder, The Phoblographer and more. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. A hobbyist photographed a stranger’s proposal on a beach. Social media helped them connect less than 24 hours later Photographer Steven Haining breaks world record for the deepest underwater photo shoot Lost GoPro that spent 8 months on the ocean floor gets reunited with owner in less than 48 hours - with fully working SD card! Tiger shark uses camera as an expensive snack - manages to capture this incredible shot What happens when your wedding videographer is arrested? Fraud investigation continues into UK wedding vendor "To photograph Niagara Falls from the air I ensured that my shutter speed was high enough to counter the vibrations caused by the chopper" Latest in Wedding Photography Divers recover wedding photographer’s camera after plunge into lake – and the photos survived Want to be a wedding photographer? Here are my 11 tips that will help you get there the RIGHT way My daughter's big day taught me this important lesson about wedding photography What happens when your wedding videographer is arrested? Fraud investigation continues into UK wedding vendor A hobbyist photographed a stranger’s proposal on a beach. Social media helped them connect less than 24 hours later Wedding photographer admits scamming brides out of thousands – here’s what couples need to watch out for Latest in News Incredible street photography on display as Women Street Photographers Festival returns to NYC Is Canon's next camera a "baby R5"? Google Pixel 10 leak: new telephoto module, but downgraded main and ultrawide sensors Divers recover wedding photographer’s camera after plunge into lake – and the photos survived Wait a minute… Atomos now makes headphones for video editing? Nikon Zf gets MAJOR firmware update, packed with pro-level features! LATEST ARTICLES Google’s free chatbot lets photographers learn lighting in a virtual studio – and honestly, it may be the best use of AI yet Is Canon's next camera a "baby R5"? Served up for you: World Food Photography Awards Shortlist is here Nikon Zf gets MAJOR firmware update, packed with pro-level features! Google Pixel 10 leak: new telephoto module, but downgraded main and ultrawide sensors Digital Camera World is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. Terms and conditions Contact Future's experts Privacy policy Cookies policy Advertise with us Accessibility Statement Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Please login or signup to comment Please wait...