Tragedy struck just weeks after a bride’s dream wedding.
Maria Pantazopoulos tied the knot in June 2012, but her joy was short-lived.
Following her wedding, she decided to partake in the daring ‘trash the dress’ trend.
This popular concept involves brides ruining their wedding gowns for stunning photos.
However, for Maria, the photoshoot turned into a nightmare.
She chose Dorwin Falls in Rawdon, Quebec, as the backdrop for her shoot.
The plan was simple: get in the water and ruin her dress.
But the lake’s currents had other ideas.
As she submerged, the gown became unbearably heavy.
Tragically, Maria was pulled down into an eight-meter-deep section of the lake.
Photographer Louis Pagakis, who was there, recalled the harrowing moment.
“She said, ‘Take some pictures of me while I swim a little bit in the lake,'” he shared.
“Her dress got heavy, and I tried everything I could to save her.”
Louis jumped in, screaming for help, but it was too late.
Hours later, rescue teams recovered Maria’s body from the water.
The news shocked the local community and raised serious concerns.
Another photographer, Mario Michaud, recounted a close call at the same location.
He had experienced a similar scare just months prior, but luck was on his side.
“We managed to save the person I was photographing,” he said.
In hindsight, Michaud recognized the risks involved in such shoots.
Since Maria’s tragic death, photographers have urged brides to avoid risky waters.
Rhiannon D’Averc wrote extensively about the dangers of aquatic photoshoots.
“You can easily get swept away,” she warned in her 2022 blog.
She highlighted risks like damaged equipment, water-borne diseases, and aggressive wildlife.
“Catfish have sharp spines,” she cautioned, “which can penetrate human flesh.”
While most injuries are minor, some can be severe.
“Stings can also be toxic, leading to prolonged pain,” D’Averc added.
Maria’s story serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers in pursuit of a beautiful photo.
The ultimate question remains: how far should brides go for that perfect shot?
As the wedding photography world reevaluates its practices, safety must come first.