Images are getting deleted from "camera shots" once sent in a text message
The first solution that springs to me is to install Tasker (it is paid app, and quite cheap, but it is worth every cent).
Setup task that copies the last picture that was created into your SMS folder back to your DCIM (camera folder) folder.
 There are probably other solutions as well. If you cannot get the hang of Tasker, I will be more specific when I have more time.