The Hazards of a
Photo Society Photographer...

This page is dedicated to Wes Skiles who died doing the work he loved. Sadie Quarrier, senior photo editor, National Geographic Magazine says:   “I was lucky enough to work with Wes as his photo editor on (his) “Bahamas Blue Holes” story for NGM. He was deeply passionate about diving, exploring, photographing and protecting the waterways… Wes was big-hearted and humble yet extremely driven. He was doggedly determined to produce the best possible article on these caves he called home. He dared to dream big, and no budget or contract would stop him from going after a shot he felt we needed, even if it was on his own dime…”

There have been other deaths over the years and many serious injuries. The posts below are recent survey responses from 45 photographers about some of the hazards encountered while on assignment for the National Geographic Society. The numbers represent individual incidents.

Reality Check

  • Lost at Sea

    1

  • Penis Fish

    1

  • Blinded by Wasps

    1

  • Giardia

    8

  • Broken Tail Bone

    1

  • Groped

    9

  • Teargassed

    2

  • Falls

    12

  • Paraglider Crash Landing on Sea Ice

    1

  • Robbed

    13

  • Plane or Helicopter Crash

    5

  • Hotel Surrounded by Rebels

    1

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Ocean

    1

  • Malaria

    5

  • Hunted with Bows and Arrows

    1

  • Severe Diarrhea

    90

  • Lost on Arctic Ice

    1

  • Dislocations

    7

  • Broken Ribs

    6

  • Tear Gassed

    4

  • Bit by Ticks (in my penis)

    1

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Tree

    1

  • Fall Into Crevasse

    2

  • Hypothermia

    9

  • Stabbed

    1

  • Meningitis

    1

  • Amoebic Dysentery

    20

  • Viper in Camera Bag

    1

  • Broken Bones

    4

  • Assault by Florida panther. 2 photographers, 2 assignments, same panther.

    2

  • Loa-Loa Worm in Eye

    1

  • Burns

    4

  • Various Parasites

    16

  • Paraglider Crash

    21

  • Extreme Toxins

    3

  • Beaten

    3

  • Arrest or House Arrest

    33

  • Flesh Eating Parasites

    1

  • Trips into Chernobyl Reactor

    3

  • Run Checkpoint

    13

  • Buried in Avalanche

    2

  • Robbed

    5

  • Rope Burn

    10

  • Wound Infection

    30

  • Severe Dehydration

    19

  • Car or Bus Crash

    7

  • Chased by Wild Elephant

    3

  • Random Assault

    6

  • Assorted Animal Attacks

    8

  • Punched in Face

    1

  • Out of Air Diving Under Oil Rig

    1

  • Acid Dripping Caves

    1

  • Severe Insect Problems

    12

  • Frostbite (23 for one photographer)

    29

  • Out of Air Diving Under Sea Ice

    1

  • Imprisoned

    3

  • Stoned by Religious Group

    2

  • Diagnosed PTSD

    1

  • Strongyloide Invasion

    1

  • Attack by 9,000 pound Elephant Seal

    1

  • Streaming Blood While Hanging from Harness at 1500 feet

    1

  • Held at Knifepoint

    1

  • Held at Gunpoint

    2

  • Spitting Cobra Attacks

    1

  • Venomous Bites

    9

  • Lost in Andes

    2

  • Chased by Crocodile

    1

  • Dengue Fever

    1

  • Threatened / Detained / Abducted

    21

  • Land on Rock Ledge After 90 Foot Fall

    1

  • Groped

    2

  • Broken Nose

    2

  • Seat Belt Releases with Helicopter Tipped Over Volcano

    2

  • Scaffolding Collapse

    1

  • Temporary Blindness

    2

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