Flames of Fate: A LA Photographer’s Heartbreaking Loss in the Eaton Fire

The catastrophic fires in LA are mercilessly ravaging communities, obliterating over 12,300 structures and displacing countless individuals. Among those impacted is street photographer Marcus Ubungen, who unfortunately lost his home in Altadena due to the Eaton fire. The inferno not only demolished his residence but also all of his photography gear, leaving his family with almost nothing.

Fortunately, Ubungen, along with his spouse Ursula and their two young children, Alma (7) and Theo (2), evacuated just in time. They were able to grab two carry-on bags, filling them with crucial documents like passports, social security cards, and the children’s birth certificates. However, upon their return, they discovered their entire property was reduced to debris.

Prior to leaving, Ubungen managed to slip a few of his smaller cameras into his backpack, as well as his grandfather’s camera lens. Nevertheless, he lost most of the equipment vital for his profession, along with his film. “I lost my 8×10 camera, 4×5 camera, lenses in all formats, all my lighting equipment, a complete Canon R5 kit, and a Sony FX9 Cinema package,” he discloses. “And then there’s everything around that—all the accessories, my film processor, printer, paper, computer setup, and flatbed scanners. It was an extensive amount.”

Ubungen posted a touching video on Instagram, strolling through the ashes of what used to be his family’s home. Despite the destruction, he highlighted “tiny glimpses of hope”—a single blooming rose, a tenacious fruit tree that stood firm, and the children’s playhouse remarkably unscathed. In another recent image of a carousel, Ubungen shares, “My mind feels like this photograph—a perpetual swirl of tension, revolving endlessly but not truly moving forward. I’ve lost track of what day it is. I realize it’s been a week since the fire consumed our home, and life has turned into a haze of to-do lists, living out of a suitcase, juggling two kids, and moving from place to place.”

Currently, Ubungen and his family are residing with relatives as they begin the process of rebuilding their home with help from their insurance. However, the rebuilding journey is frequently prolonged and unpredictable, leaving the family in a precarious situation. To assist them in regaining stability, a family friend, Tiffany Teddy, initiated a GoFundMe campaign.

Contributions will be directed towards the family’s urgent necessities, which include basic items for the kids, clothing, food, and replacing the gear they rely on. The campaign has received backing from over 1,000 kind donors worldwide, raising an impressive total exceeding $140,000. The family expresses, “A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already supported us. We are incredibly grateful for the amazing outpouring of assistance.”

You can support the family by contributing to their GoFundMe campaign here, and be sure to admire Ubungen’s breathtaking photography on Instagram. Let’s hope this family can rebuild and return to normalcy at the earliest!

If you wish to aid those impacted by the fires in the LA region, check out this list of wildfire relief efforts. For those affected, please refer to this updated compilation of resources for shelter, food, clothing, pet care, and more.

Photographer Marcus Ubungen lost his residence, his family’s possessions, and nearly all of his photography equipment to the Eaton fire.

You can assist this wonderful family in getting back on their feet by contributing to a GoFundMe campaign established by a friend.

Marcus Ubungen: Instagram | GoFundMe

Sources: Support Ursula, Marcus and family after Eaton fire; Photographer Loses His Home and All of His Gear in LA Wildfires

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