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

  • Scaffolding Collapse

    1

  • Blinded by Wasps

    1

  • Spitting Cobra Attacks

    1

  • Strongyloide Invasion

    1

  • Stabbed

    1

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Ocean

    1

  • Run Checkpoint

    13

  • Chased by Wild Elephant

    3

  • Giardia

    8

  • Broken Bones

    4

  • Frostbite (23 for one photographer)

    29

  • Chased by Crocodile

    1

  • Bit by Ticks (in my penis)

    1

  • Fall Into Crevasse

    2

  • Lost in Andes

    2

  • Car or Bus Crash

    7

  • Dengue Fever

    1

  • Hunted with Bows and Arrows

    1

  • Severe Diarrhea

    90

  • Various Parasites

    16

  • Flesh Eating Parasites

    1

  • Extreme Toxins

    3

  • Viper in Camera Bag

    1

  • Burns

    4

  • Out of Air Diving Under Sea Ice

    1

  • Stoned by Religious Group

    2

  • Lost at Sea

    1

  • Held at Gunpoint

    2

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

    2

  • Paraglider Crash Landing in Tree

    1

  • Penis Fish

    1

  • Plane or Helicopter Crash

    5

  • Paraglider Crash

    21

  • Dislocations

    7

  • Punched in Face

    1

  • Buried in Avalanche

    2

  • Temporary Blindness

    2

  • Meningitis

    1

  • Groped

    2

  • Beaten

    3

  • Out of Air Diving Under Oil Rig

    1

  • Held at Knifepoint

    1

  • Severe Dehydration

    19

  • Malaria

    5

  • Hypothermia

    9

  • Broken Tail Bone

    1

  • Assorted Animal Attacks

    8

  • Teargassed

    2

  • Random Assault

    6

  • Broken Nose

    2

  • Arrest or House Arrest

    33

  • Severe Insect Problems

    12

  • Wound Infection

    30

  • Tear Gassed

    4

  • Paraglider Crash Landing on Sea Ice

    1

  • Robbed

    5

  • Falls

    12

  • Broken Ribs

    6

  • Diagnosed PTSD

    1

  • Seat Belt Releases with Helicopter Tipped Over Volcano

    2

  • Land on Rock Ledge After 90 Foot Fall

    1

  • Amoebic Dysentery

    20

  • Rope Burn

    10

  • Streaming Blood While Hanging from Harness at 1500 feet

    1

  • Venomous Bites

    9

  • Attack by 9,000 pound Elephant Seal

    1

  • Lost on Arctic Ice

    1

  • Trips into Chernobyl Reactor

    3

  • Robbed

    13

  • Groped

    9

  • Acid Dripping Caves

    1

  • Threatened / Detained / Abducted

    21

  • Hotel Surrounded by Rebels

    1

  • Imprisoned

    3

  • Loa-Loa Worm in Eye

    1

Latest stories

View All

TPS Presents: Stephanie Sinclair

by Randy Olson

TPS PRESENTS: RONAN DONOVAN

by Randy Olson

SAM ABELL Lifetime Achievement Award

by Randy Olson