Christmas photos found on decadesold Wichita camera; family identified
Nov 14, 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Photos capture more than memories; they capture the emotions of a moment. One Derby man will now get to reunite a family with their lost pictures.
When Seth Boles heard about Moler's Camera closing, he went to score some deals. He said his $5 purchase from the bargain bin now means much more.
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"There is something really special about this whole scenario," said Boles.
Memories were found locked behind a lens and purchased by Boles.
"When I was checking out, I saw that it still had film in it. I was like, is that going to work? The guy was like, 'I have no idea. I can't tell you that,'" said Boles.
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Click to expand the image.
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He developed the film and received the prints back, astonished to see a family Christmas gathering. He researched the toy the young girl is opening and believes the pictures are from December 2000.
"For being at least 20 years old and a camera that's been sitting in the back of a bargain bin at this store, very much not stored properly, I'm amazed those photos came out like they did," said Boles.
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Click to expand the image.
Click to expand the image.
This was a nice surprise for the store's owner, Bob Moler, who said his shop has had its share of memories created in Wichita. Moler has doubts if the family in the photos can be tracked down.
"It would be kind of neat if he could find them, but I don't think there's much chance of it; those films have been in the camera for probably 20 years," said Moler.
Now that a family member has seen the story and identified the pictures, Seth will get to deliver the prints back to them.
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Click to expand the image.
"They're new perspectives and unique views of people that mean so much to this family out there that they've never seen them in this way; these are memories that they've missed out on," said Boles.
Former KSN News producer and director Kevin Crockett contacted the station and said the pictures were from his family. KSN will talk to Crockett later today about the find.