Through the Eyes of Rick Bekker: Featured Photographer in the 'Pursuit of Power' SWE Calendar (January 2026)

The Pursuit of Power — Severe Weather Calendar 2026 showcases Europe’s 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.

Rick Bekker 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.

Don’t forget to follow Rick’s social channels and support his work — you’ll find all the links at the bottom of the interview.

About the Photographer – Introduction: Rick Bekker

Let’s start simple — who are you? How old are you, and where in Europe do you call home?

My name is Rick Bekker, a passionate landscape photographer and storm chaser.

At 32 years young, I devote my time to capturing the beauty of nature, from serene foggy mornings to dramatic skies.

I currently live in the Netherlands, where every season offers a unique window for photography.

When did your passion for storms and photography begin? Was there a specific moment that pulled you into chasing?

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.

Heavy snowfall, severe thunderstorms, and large hail.

It all gave me the greatest of adrenaline.

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.

Gear & Chasing Setup

What’s inside your camera bag and chase vehicle today? Any must-have gear you never leave home without?

For every chase, I always bring a few essential items.

First, my camera gear: I currently 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 solid tripod is an absolute must, and a lightning trigger is also equipment I use from time to time to capture daytime lightning strikes.

And of course, I never forget cleaning cloths and towels. Where there’s intense thunderstorm activity, there’s always plenty of rain.

What part of storm chasing gives you the biggest adrenaline rush or emotional high?

Fun question! For me, the biggest adrenaline rush comes from standing face to face with a raging supercell.

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

Witnessing the raw power and beauty of such intense weather fills me with an incredible sense of strength and happiness.

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?

The atmosphere around us was simply indescribable. The photo I submitted is a 15mm full-frame panorama of the supercell’s mesocyclone. A rotating beast layered like a true mothership.

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.

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: “What on earth is happening here? This is insane!”

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

How far has this passion taken you? In how many countries have you chased or photographed storms so far?

My passion has already taken me to quite a few countries.

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.

Even while on vacation in Italy, I couldn’t resist capturing a few stunning thunderstorms. Every country adds its own vibe to the chase.

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?

Nothing fancy, haha. Just a normal “shitbox on wheels.” A regular (but spacious) car works perfectly fine for chasing.

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.

It’s teamwork that makes each chase run as smoothly as possible.

Describe your ultimate dream chase: location, storm structure, light, terrain — the perfect scene.

Damn, that’s a good question! My perfect chase would combine the ultimate storm with the ultimate landscape.

I’m talking about a raging supercell with insane structure, vivid colors, and a shitload of branched CG lightning.

And yeah, all of that unfolding during golden hour above a stunning mountain range. If that scene exists somewhere … where can I place my order? :D

Be honest: a powerful supercell forms 20 km away… right as a boring work meeting is about to start. What happens next?

Well, let’s see what’s a valid excuse. Is COVID still a thing? Haha! Honestly, I’d do everything I could to convince my boss that I need to slip out for a moment.

Luckily, my job keeps me on the road, so if a powerful supercell forms just 20 km away, there’s always the chance for a sneaky detour when necessary.

Inspiration & Milestones

Which storm chasers or photographers have inspired your journey? Anyone you look up to, even today?

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

But there are still A LOT of other chasers in Europe who deserve my greatest respect.

What moment in your chasing or photography career are you most proud of — a capture, a trip, or a personal milestone?

Several moments have really stuck with me.

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

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

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

And many more. Honestly, there are just too many to count!

What’s the closest call you’ve ever had? Any dangerous moments you’ll never forget, and what did you learn from them?

Lel. Lightning, lots of it, too close for comfort.

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.