Maria Pantazopoulos tragically died in 2012 while participating in a “trash the dress” photoshoot, a trend where brides ruin their wedding dresses in creative ways after the ceremony. The 30-year-old had gone to Dorwin Falls in Rawdon, Quebec, for her shoot and entered the water to pose in her gown. However, the dress became heavy with water and pulled her down into an eight-meter-deep section of the lake.
Photographer Louis Pagakis, who was capturing the session, described the horrifying moment when Maria was swept away by the current. He tried desperately to save her but was unable to do so. Hours later, rescue teams recovered her body from the water. This tragic incident has raised awareness about the potential dangers of these types of photoshoots, especially in unpredictable natural settings.
Another photographer later shared a similar experience at the same location, highlighting the risks involved in such shoots. Since Maria’s death, there have been calls within the photography community to discourage brides from participating in potentially dangerous shoots, particularly in water.
The tragedy underscores the need for safety awareness during photoshoots and the importance of understanding the environment where such sessions take place. What began as a fun and daring trend has become a sobering reminder of the unpredictable dangers of nature.
