Featured Photographer within the ‘Pursuit of Power’ SWE Calendar (January 2026)

The Pursuit of Power — Severe Weather Calendar 2026 showcases Europe’s main storm chasers by means of their strongest climate imagery. The opening month, January 2026, options storm chaser Rick Bekker and his majestic seize of a towering mothership supercell sweeping throughout the plains close to Rouen, France.

Rick Bekker opens the interview sequence for featured pictures in every month-to-month version of the calendar, providing a more in-depth look into his method to images, his ardour, and his placing storm photographs.

Don’t overlook to comply with Rick’s social channels and assist his work — you’ll discover all of the hyperlinks on the backside of the interview.

About the Photographer – Introduction: Rick Bekker

 

Let’s begin easy — who’re you? How outdated are you, and the place in Europe do you name house?

 

My identify is Rick Bekker, a passionate panorama photographer and storm chaser.

At 32 years younger, I commit my time to capturing the fantastic thing about nature, from serene foggy mornings to dramatic skies.

I at present dwell within the Netherlands, the place each season gives a novel window for images.

When did your ardour for storms and images start? Was there a particular second that pulled you into chasing?

 

My ardour for extreme thunderstorms and climate extremes basically started at a really younger age. Even as a six-year-old little shit, I used to be fascinated by the ability and unpredictability of utmost climate.

Heavy snowfall, extreme thunderstorms, and enormous hail.

It all gave me the best of adrenaline.

That early curiosity grew right into a love for images in 2006 and finally advanced into storm chasing, beginning together with panorama images in 2013.

Gear & Chasing Setup

 

What’s inside your digicam bag and chase automobile as we speak? Any must-have gear you by no means depart house with out?

 

For each chase, I all the time deliver a couple of important objects.

First, my digicam gear: I at present chase and shoot with a Nikon Z7 II and a Nikon D750, paired with a 14–24mm f/2.8, a 24–70mm f/2.8, and an 80–400mm lens.

A strong tripod is an absolute should, and a lightning set off can also be gear I exploit now and again to seize daytime lightning strikes.

And after all, I always remember cleansing cloths and towels. Where there’s intense thunderstorm exercise, there’s all the time loads of rain.

What a part of storm chasing offers you the most important adrenaline rush or emotional excessive?

 

Fun query! For me, the most important adrenaline rush comes from standing head to head with a raging supercell.

The insanely loud CG strikes, the colourful inexperienced core of heavy rainfall, and the overwhelming presence of a well-organized storm.

Witnessing the uncooked energy and fantastic thing about such intense climate fills me with an unimaginable sense of power and happiness.

The Chase Experience

 

The photograph we chosen for the calendar is genuinely inspiring. What was the ambiance like round you — the temper, the sunshine, the power of the storm — and what went by means of your thoughts as you pressed the shutter?

 

The ambiance round us was merely indescribable. The photograph I submitted is a 15mm full-frame panorama of the supercell’s mesocyclone. A rotating beast layered like a real mothership.

CG lightning repeatedly blasted by means of the influx bands, whereas inexperienced and yellow tones lit up the FFD. Blindingly shiny, smooth-channel CG strikes incessantly illuminated the RFD rain curtain.

The total scene may have simply belonged in Tornado Alley. Witnessing such a monster of a supercell on French soil is one thing I’ll always remember. The first pictures I took left me with just one response: “What on earth is happening here? This is insane!”

Get your calendar copy right here: Pursuit of Power – Weather Calendar 2026

How far has this ardour taken you? In what number of international locations have you ever chased or photographed storms up to now?

 

My ardour has already taken me to fairly a couple of international locations.

I incessantly chase in my house nation, the Netherlands, and within the neighboring areas of Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and France, that are a part of my yearly storm-hunting routine as effectively.

Even whereas on trip in Italy, I couldn’t resist capturing a couple of beautiful thunderstorms. Every nation provides its personal vibe to the chase.

Tell us about your chase automobile — is it a traditional automotive, or have you ever turned it right into a lightning-hunting machine? Do you chase solo or with companions?

 

Nothing fancy, haha. Just a traditional “shitbox on wheels.” An everyday (however spacious) automotive works completely high quality for chasing.

I normally chase as a part of a crew, the place everybody has their very own function: one individual drives, one other focuses on the meteorology, and another person navigates and checks which landscapes or vantage factors we will use.

It’s teamwork that makes every chase run as easily as doable.

Describe your final dream chase: location, storm construction, gentle, terrain — the proper scene.

 

Damn, that’s a superb query! My good chase would mix the last word storm with the last word panorama.

I’m speaking a few raging supercell with insane construction, vivid colours, and a shitload of branched CG lightning.

And yeah, all of that unfolding throughout golden hour above a shocking mountain vary. If that scene exists someplace … the place can I place my order? 😀

Be sincere: a strong supercell types 20 km away… proper as a boring work assembly is about to begin. What occurs subsequent?

 

Well, let’s see what’s a sound excuse. Is COVID nonetheless a factor? Haha! Honestly, I’d do all the things I may to persuade my boss that I want to slide out for a second.

Luckily, my job retains me on the street, so if a strong supercell types simply 20 km away, there’s all the time the prospect for a sneaky detour when crucial.

Inspiration & Milestones

 

Which storm chasers or photographers have impressed your journey? Anyone you look as much as, even as we speak?

 

That’s a tough query! I’ve an enormous appreciation for Skip Talbot’s work and the unimaginable chase footage from Pecos Hank as effectively. Their information is unmatched, and it’s one thing I can solely look as much as with a substantial amount of respect.

But there are nonetheless A LOT of different chasers in Europe who deserve my best respect.

What second in your chasing or images profession are you most pleased with — a seize, a visit, or a private milestone?

 

Several moments have actually caught with me.

The spectacular morning shelf cloud over the world-famous panorama of Kinderdijk on June 23, 2016.

The intense CG lightning barrage close to Metz, France, on July 31, 2017.

The supercell with an F3 twister in Bihucourt on October 23, 2022.

And many extra. Honestly, there are simply too many to rely!

What’s the closest name you’ve ever had? Any harmful moments you’ll always remember, and what did you be taught from them?

 

Lel. Lightning, numerous it, too shut for consolation.

But much more intense was experiencing a downburst. Trees round us snapped like toothpicks, and with visibility virtually zero within the heavy rain, discovering a secure escape route was practically inconceivable.

That day taught me how unpredictable and intense storms might be and the significance of staying conscious and ready in excessive climate.

Connect With Photographer’s Work

 

And lastly — the place can folks comply with your work and chase adventures on-line? (Facebook, Instagram, X, web site, TikTok,…)

 

You can discover my photographs and adventures on-line at:

If you’re curious about buying any of my work, be happy to get in contact!

Final Note

 

Thank you, Rick, for being a part of the Pursuit of Power undertaking!

Your story and visuals assist showcase the power, magnificence, and variety of European storm chasing.

*****The Pursuit of Power — Severe Weather Calendar 2026 options the perfect European storm chasers by means of highly effective climate pictures.

The Calendar has 13 pages – a canopy web page plus 12 month-to-month pages.

The calendar might be bought right here: Pursuit of Power – Weather Calendar 2026