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

  • Broken Bones

    4

  • Severe Dehydration

    19

  • Scaffolding Collapse

    1

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Ocean

    1

  • Broken Nose

    2

  • Seat Belt Releases with Helicopter Tipped Over Volcano

    2

  • Punched in Face

    1

  • Acid Dripping Caves

    1

  • Spitting Cobra Attacks

    1

  • Blinded by Wasps

    1

  • Viper in Camera Bag

    1

  • Chased by Crocodile

    1

  • Diagnosed PTSD

    1

  • Held at Gunpoint

    2

  • Bit by Ticks (in my penis)

    1

  • Dengue Fever

    1

  • Run Checkpoint

    13

  • Amoebic Dysentery

    20

  • Paraglider Crash

    21

  • Venomous Bites

    9

  • Severe Insect Problems

    12

  • Arrest or House Arrest

    33

  • Car or Bus Crash

    7

  • Buried in Avalanche

    2

  • Groped

    2

  • Giardia

    8

  • Robbed

    13

  • Severe Diarrhea

    90

  • Teargassed

    2

  • Paraglider Crash Landing on Sea Ice

    1

  • Attack by 9,000 pound Elephant Seal

    1

  • Threatened / Detained / Abducted

    21

  • Loa-Loa Worm in Eye

    1

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Tree

    1

  • Robbed

    5

  • Trips into Chernobyl Reactor

    3

  • Held at Knifepoint

    1

  • Rope Burn

    10

  • Tear Gassed

    4

  • Groped

    9

  • Temporary Blindness

    2

  • Meningitis

    1

  • Hotel Surrounded by Rebels

    1

  • Out of Air Diving Under Sea Ice

    1

  • Lost at Sea

    1

  • Flesh Eating Parasites

    1

  • Frostbite (23 for one photographer)

    29

  • Extreme Toxins

    3

  • Hunted with Bows and Arrows

    1

  • Beaten

    3

  • Imprisoned

    3

  • Broken Ribs

    6

  • Stoned by Religious Group

    2

  • Hypothermia

    9

  • Wound Infection

    30

  • Dislocations

    7

  • Strongyloide Invasion

    1

  • Chased by Wild Elephant

    3

  • Streaming Blood While Hanging from Harness at 1500 feet

    1

  • Plane or Helicopter Crash

    5

  • Fall Into Crevasse

    2

  • Lost on Arctic Ice

    1

  • Falls

    12

  • Various Parasites

    16

  • Lost in Andes

    2

  • Assorted Animal Attacks

    8

  • Penis Fish

    1

  • Stabbed

    1

  • Broken Tail Bone

    1

  • Out of Air Diving Under Oil Rig

    1

  • Malaria

    5

  • Random Assault

    6

  • Land on Rock Ledge After 90 Foot Fall

    1

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

    2

  • Burns

    4

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