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

  • Punched in Face

    1

  • Plane or Helicopter Crash

    5

  • Extreme Toxins

    3

  • Trips into Chernobyl Reactor

    3

  • Beaten

    3

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

    2

  • Tear Gassed

    4

  • Arrest or House Arrest

    33

  • Meningitis

    1

  • Dengue Fever

    1

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Ocean

    1

  • Severe Dehydration

    19

  • Attack by 9,000 pound Elephant Seal

    1

  • Chased by Crocodile

    1

  • Malaria

    5

  • Flesh Eating Parasites

    1

  • Venomous Bites

    9

  • Spitting Cobra Attacks

    1

  • Rope Burn

    10

  • Out of Air Diving Under Sea Ice

    1

  • Loa-Loa Worm in Eye

    1

  • Diagnosed PTSD

    1

  • Falls

    12

  • Scaffolding Collapse

    1

  • Fall Into Crevasse

    2

  • Viper in Camera Bag

    1

  • Lost at Sea

    1

  • Temporary Blindness

    2

  • Run Checkpoint

    13

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Tree

    1

  • Penis Fish

    1

  • Chased by Wild Elephant

    3

  • Hypothermia

    9

  • Various Parasites

    16

  • Paraglider Crash

    21

  • Broken Bones

    4

  • Stabbed

    1

  • Severe Insect Problems

    12

  • Wound Infection

    30

  • Groped

    2

  • Lost on Arctic Ice

    1

  • Blinded by Wasps

    1

  • Stoned by Religious Group

    2

  • Random Assault

    6

  • Buried in Avalanche

    2

  • Assorted Animal Attacks

    8

  • Lost in Andes

    2

  • Bit by Ticks (in my penis)

    1

  • Held at Knifepoint

    1

  • Groped

    9

  • Streaming Blood While Hanging from Harness at 1500 feet

    1

  • Paraglider Crash Landing on Sea Ice

    1

  • Acid Dripping Caves

    1

  • Frostbite (23 for one photographer)

    29

  • Threatened / Detained / Abducted

    21

  • Strongyloide Invasion

    1

  • Car or Bus Crash

    7

  • Hotel Surrounded by Rebels

    1

  • Broken Tail Bone

    1

  • Teargassed

    2

  • Out of Air Diving Under Oil Rig

    1

  • Robbed

    13

  • Amoebic Dysentery

    20

  • Seat Belt Releases with Helicopter Tipped Over Volcano

    2

  • Broken Nose

    2

  • Land on Rock Ledge After 90 Foot Fall

    1

  • Broken Ribs

    6

  • Severe Diarrhea

    90

  • Imprisoned

    3

  • Hunted with Bows and Arrows

    1

  • Robbed

    5

  • Dislocations

    7

  • Burns

    4

  • Held at Gunpoint

    2

  • Giardia

    8

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