The Pursuit of Power — Severe Weather Calendar 2026 showcases Europe’s leading storm chasers through their most powerful weather imagery. The fourth month, April 2026, features storm chaser Mirko Maini and his powerful cloud-to-ground lightning bolt striking the hill above Riomaggiore, Italy.
The interview series for featured photographs in each monthly edition of the calendar offers a closer look into the photographer behind the scenes, his approach to photography, his passion, and his striking storm images.
Don’t forget to follow Mirko’s social channels and support his work — you’ll find all the links at the bottom of the interview.
About the Photographer – Introduction: Mirko Maini
Let’s start simple — who are you? How old are you, and where in Europe do you call home?
Hi! I’m Mirko Maini, I’m 30 years old, and I live in Italy, more precisely in the Po Valley.
When did your passion for storms and photography begin? Was there a specific moment that pulled you into chasing?
It’s difficult to answer this question because I still haven’t understood why I developed this intense passion for thunderstorms.
I only know that I began to appreciate them around the age of 12, and over time, I’ve cultivated this passion.
Gear & Chasing Setup
What’s inside your camera bag and chase vehicle today? Any must-have gear you never leave home without?
In my car, when I’m chasing, I always have my two photographic tripods and my photography backpack, with my two Nikons and various lenses.
What part of storm chasing gives you the biggest adrenaline rush or emotional high?
It’s definitely the lightning. Distant, but above all close, it fills me with fear and adrenaline.
The Chase Experience
The photo we selected for the calendar is genuinely inspiring. What was the atmosphere like around you — the mood, the light, the energy of the storm — and what went through your mind as you pressed the shutter?
That evening, there were many of us, about 10, on the bend overlooking the village of Riomaggiore; the atmosphere was like so many others: we were waiting, the thunderstorms had formed, and we were waiting and hoping for them to get closer.
And so it was, after about an hour of shooting, the nearest and most spectacular lightning bolt of the evening struck, 500 meters away from us, on the hill behind Riomaggiore.
We all started screaming because such a lightning bolt was totally unexpected; the blinding flash of light and the deafening thunder.
How far has this passion taken you? In how many countries have you chased or photographed storms so far?
So far, I’ve only chased in Italy. I spend most of my time working; I don’t get to travel much in my free time.
Tell us about your chase vehicle — is it a normal car, or have you turned it into a lightning-hunting machine? Do you chase solo or with partners?
Until June 2025, I had an Opel Corsa, a small, perfect car that had accompanied me for all these years of chasing; now I have a Dacia Jogger, a long and super-roomy car, comfortable to sleep in during the long waits for thunderstorms.
I often chase with my friend Luca, and sometimes I hunt alone.
Describe your ultimate dream chase: location, storm structure, light, terrain — the perfect scene.
This is also difficult to answer; I’ve chased and photographed in so many magnificent places, but there’s one place I really miss: my home. There are never any thunderstorms here; the few that do happen are always bad.
I want to chase a lightning storm right here. I’d position myself on the hills behind here and enjoy seeing with my own eyes a beautiful lightning storm strike the plain where I live!
Be honest: a powerful supercell forms 20 km away… right as a boring work meeting is about to start. What happens next?
I take the car and position myself ready to intercept the storm!
Inspiration & Milestones
Which storm chasers or photographers have inspired your journey? Anyone you look up to, even today?
There are so many. I don’t know if I can name them one by one, but in each of them I draw inspiration and the desire always to strive to do better in this passion.
What moment in your chasing or photography career are you most proud of — a capture, a trip, or a personal milestone?
Definitely August 2025. La Spezia. I managed to photograph some lightning strikes inside the port of La Spezia, very close and precise. Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine; that night was full of adrenaline.
Even today, I struggle to realize what I saw… and photographed!
What’s the closest call you’ve ever had? Any dangerous moments you’ll never forget, and what did you learn from them?
See above… still that evening in La Spezia, one of those lightning bolts struck a tree 450 meters away from me…
Connect With Photographer’s Work
And finally, where can people follow your work and chase adventures online? (Facebook, Instagram, X, website, TikTok,…)
You can find my photos and adventures online at:
- Instagram: @mirkomainiphoto Instagram page
- Facebook: Mirko Maini Facebook page
Final Note
Thank you, Mirko, for being part of the Pursuit of Power project!
Your story and visuals help showcase the strength, beauty, and diversity of European storm chasing.
The Calendar has 13 pages – a cover page plus 12 monthly pages.
The calendar can be purchased here: Pursuit of Power – Weather Calendar 2026
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