Sorry to hear of your lost photos. I too have lost items recently and it is painful to say the least.
Edit: The problems seem to be with "registered" parcels in my experience. I think there are thieves at the post offices that steal registered parcels looking for money. I shudder when I think of them opening parcels and finding no money tossing items into the trash. Astonishingly enough I recently sent a cap tally to Germany mailed in a normal envelope like a plain letter and used the cheapest USPS shipping. I was amazed when the buyer informed me he had the item and sent me a photo of the letter on his table three, yes three days later. Unbelievable.