{"id":604364,"date":"2025-12-01T01:20:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T01:20:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/604364\/"},"modified":"2025-12-01T01:20:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T01:20:02","slug":"featured-photographer-in-the-pursuit-of-power-swe-calendar-january-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/604364\/","title":{"rendered":"Featured Photographer in the ‘Pursuit of Power’ SWE Calendar (January 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Pursuit of Power \u2014 Severe Weather Calendar 2026<\/a> showcases Europe\u2019s leading storm chasers through their most powerful weather imagery. The opening month, January 2026, features storm chaser Rick Bekker and his majestic capture of a towering mothership supercell sweeping across the plains near Rouen, France.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rick Bekker<\/strong> opens the interview series for featured photographs in each monthly edition of the calendar, offering a closer look into his approach to photography, his passion, and his striking storm images.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-The-Realm\"<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to follow Rick\u2019s social channels and support his work \u2014 you\u2019ll find all the links at the bottom of the interview.<\/p>\n

About the Photographer \u2013 Introduction: Rick Bekker<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s start simple \u2014 who are you? How old are you, and where in Europe do you call home?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

My name is Rick Bekker, a passionate landscape photographer and storm chaser.<\/p>\n

At 32 years young, I devote my time to capturing the beauty of nature, from serene foggy mornings to dramatic skies.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-This-Is-Holland\"<\/p>\n

I currently live in the Netherlands, where every season offers a unique window for photography.<\/p>\n

When did your passion for storms and photography begin? Was there a specific moment that pulled you into chasing?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

My passion for severe thunderstorms and weather extremes in general began at a very young age. Even as a six-year-old little shit, I was fascinated by the power and unpredictability of extreme weather.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-Transition\"<\/p>\n

Heavy snowfall, severe thunderstorms, and large hail.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-Waking-Up-in-Heaven\"<\/p>\n

It all gave me the greatest of adrenaline.<\/p>\n

That early curiosity grew into a love for photography in 2006 and eventually evolved into storm chasing, starting in combination with landscape photography in 2013.<\/p>\n

Gear & Chasing Setup<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

What\u2019s inside your camera bag and chase vehicle today? Any must-have gear you never leave home without?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

For every chase, I always bring a few essential items.<\/p>\n

First, my camera gear: I currently chase and shoot with a Nikon Z7 II and a Nikon D750, paired with a 14\u201324mm f\/2.8, a 24\u201370mm f\/2.8, and an 80\u2013400mm lens.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-Color-Madness\"<\/p>\n

A solid tripod is an absolute must, and a lightning trigger is also equipment I use from time to time to capture daytime lightning strikes.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-Electric-sky-Heusden\"<\/p>\n

And of course, I never forget cleaning cloths and towels. Where there\u2019s intense thunderstorm activity, there\u2019s always plenty of rain.<\/p>\n

What part of storm chasing gives you the biggest adrenaline rush or emotional high?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fun question! For me, the biggest adrenaline rush comes from standing face to face with a raging supercell.<\/p>\n

The insanely loud CG strikes, the vibrant green core of heavy rainfall, and the overwhelming presence of a well-organized storm.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-Beastmode\"<\/p>\n

Witnessing the raw power and beauty of such intense weather fills me with an incredible sense of strength and happiness.<\/p>\n

The Chase Experience<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The photo we selected for the calendar is genuinely inspiring. What was the atmosphere like around you \u2014 the mood, the light, the energy of the storm \u2014 and what went through your mind as you pressed the shutter?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The atmosphere around us was simply indescribable. The photo I submitted is a 15mm full-frame panorama of the supercell\u2019s mesocyclone. A rotating beast layered like a true mothership.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-Rouen-supercell\"<\/p>\n

CG lightning repeatedly blasted through the inflow bands, while green and yellow tones lit up the FFD. Blindingly bright, smooth-channel CG strikes frequently illuminated the RFD rain curtain.<\/p>\n

The entire scene could have easily belonged in Tornado Alley. Witnessing such a monster of a supercell on French soil is something I will never forget. The first shots I took left me with only one reaction: \u201cWhat on earth is happening here? This is insane!\u201d<\/p>\n

Get your calendar copy here: Pursuit of Power \u2013 Weather Calendar 2026<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

How far has this passion taken you? In how many countries have you chased or photographed storms so far?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

My passion has already taken me to quite a few countries.<\/p>\n

I frequently chase in my home country, the Netherlands, and in the neighboring regions of Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and France, which are part of my yearly storm-hunting routine as well.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-Flashing-Towers\"<\/p>\n

Even while on vacation in Italy, I couldn\u2019t resist capturing a few stunning thunderstorms. Every country adds its own vibe to the chase.<\/p>\n

Tell us about your chase vehicle \u2014 is it a normal car, or have you turned it into a lightning-hunting machine? Do you chase solo or with partners?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nothing fancy, haha. Just a normal \u201cshitbox on wheels.\u201d A regular (but spacious) car works perfectly fine for chasing.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-Rough-Sea\"<\/p>\n

I usually chase as part of a team, where everyone has their own role: one person drives, another focuses on the meteorology, and someone else navigates and checks which landscapes or vantage points we can use.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-aurora\"<\/p>\n

It\u2019s teamwork that makes each chase run as smoothly as possible.<\/p>\n

Describe your ultimate dream chase: location, storm structure, light, terrain \u2014 the perfect scene.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Damn, that\u2019s a good question! My perfect chase would combine the ultimate storm with the ultimate landscape.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m talking about a raging supercell with insane structure, vivid colors, and a shitload of branched CG lightning.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-Green-Beast\"<\/p>\n

And yeah, all of that unfolding during golden hour above a stunning mountain range. If that scene exists somewhere \u2026 where can I place my order? \ud83d\ude00<\/p>\n

Be honest: a powerful supercell forms 20 km away\u2026 right as a boring work meeting is about to start. What happens next?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Well, let\u2019s see what\u2019s a valid excuse. Is COVID still a thing? Haha! Honestly, I\u2019d do everything I could to convince my boss that I need to slip out for a moment.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-Oval\"<\/p>\n

Luckily, my job keeps me on the road, so if a powerful supercell forms just 20 km away, there\u2019s always the chance for a sneaky detour when necessary.<\/p>\n

Inspiration & Milestones<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Which storm chasers or photographers have inspired your journey? Anyone you look up to, even today?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a tricky question! I have a massive appreciation for Skip Talbot\u2019s work and the incredible chase footage from Pecos Hank as well. Their knowledge is unmatched, and it\u2019s something I can only look up to with a great deal of respect.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-The-Updraft\"<\/p>\n

But there are still A LOT of other chasers in Europe who deserve my greatest respect.<\/p>\n

What moment in your chasing or photography career are you most proud of \u2014 a capture, a trip, or a personal milestone?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Several moments have really stuck with me.<\/p>\n

The spectacular morning shelf cloud over the world-famous landscape of Kinderdijk on June 23, 2016.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-A-storm-is-coming\"<\/p>\n

The intense CG lightning barrage near Metz, France, on July 31, 2017.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-Strong-Together\"<\/p>\n

The supercell with an F3 tornado in Bihucourt on October 23, 2022.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-Bihucourt-Tornado\"<\/p>\n

And many more. Honestly, there are just too many to count!<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the closest call you\u2019ve ever had? Any dangerous moments you\u2019ll never forget, and what did you learn from them?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lel. Lightning, lots of it, too close for comfort.<\/p>\n

But even more intense was experiencing a downburst. Trees around us snapped like toothpicks, and with visibility almost zero in the heavy rain, finding a safe escape route was nearly impossible.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-Twins\"<\/p>\n

That day taught me how unpredictable and intense storms can be and the importance of staying aware and prepared in extreme weather.<\/p>\n

Connect With Photographer\u2019s Work<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

And finally \u2014 where can people follow your work and chase adventures online? (Facebook, Instagram, X, website, TikTok,\u2026)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can find my photos and adventures online at:<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-sunset\"<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re interested in purchasing any of my work, feel free to get in touch!<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-Celestial-visitor\"<\/p>\n

Final Note<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Thank you, Rick, for being part of the Pursuit of Power project!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your story and visuals help showcase the strength, beauty, and diversity of European storm chasing.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-Perfect-Morning\"<\/p>\n

*****The Pursuit of Power \u2014 Severe Weather Calendar 2026 features the best European storm chasers through powerful weather photographs.<\/p>\n

The Calendar has 13 pages \u2013 a cover page plus 12 monthly pages.<\/p>\n

\"Rick-Bekker-calendar\"<\/p>\n

The calendar can be purchased here: Pursuit of Power \u2013 Weather Calendar 2026<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Pursuit of Power \u2014 Severe Weather Calendar 2026 showcases Europe\u2019s leading storm chasers through their most powerful…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":604365,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3939],"tags":[4021,4020,4022,77,462,52965,6623,9386,189440,189441,2462,16744,189442,189443,189444,16,15,59345],"class_list":{"0":"post-604364","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-design","8":"tag-arts","9":"tag-arts-and-design","10":"tag-design","11":"tag-entertainment","12":"tag-interview","13":"tag-lightning","14":"tag-northern-lights","15":"tag-photographer","16":"tag-pursuit-of-power","17":"tag-rick-bekker","18":"tag-snow","19":"tag-storm","20":"tag-storm-chaser","21":"tag-supercell","22":"tag-swe-calendar-2026","23":"tag-uk","24":"tag-united-kingdom","25":"tag-winter"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/604364","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=604364"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/604364\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/604365"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=604364"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=604364"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=604364"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}