Chasing the Storm: A Photographer on a Tornado Hunt

The passion for storm chasing has many enthusiasts, but with the upcoming release of the film "Twisters" – a modern homage to the cult classic "Twister" from 1996 – this enthusiasm is sparking renewed interest. For storm chasers and photographers, this presents a unique opportunity to capture and share their experiences with the world. A particularly inspired example is a photographer whose career was influenced by his mother's recurring tornado dreams. These dreams sparked his interest in meteorology, eventually leading him on his first real tornado chase in 2021. Since then, he has annually sought out these impressive whirlwinds, especially in the U.S. Tornado Alley, a region where tornadoes are particularly frequent. With the aim of conveying the intensity and fascination of these natural phenomena through photographs, the idea for an extensive photo project was born. On the occasion of the release of "Twisters," the photographer approached Shannon Simon, photo editor at The New York Times Magazine, and proposed a series of photo essays. The goal was ambitious: to give readers the opportunity to experience the adrenaline and wildness of storm sightings up close. The successful execution of this project relied significantly on a collaboration with the world-renowned storm chaser Reed Timmer. Facilitating this collaboration proved challenging, as Timmer is constantly on the move during storm season and difficult to reach. Ultimately, the photographer managed to persuade Timmer. Timmer agreed to the collaboration after recognizing the dual passion the photographer had for storm chasing and photography – a rare and valuable combination of perspectives that created the necessary foundation of trust for the photographic journey.