As the story goes, I’ve been a small-time storm chaser for a couple of decades now. And it’s become a slight side challenge for me to handhold during lightning photography using whatever random camera and lens I happen to grab on my way out the door. (Lately a 50mm)
I don’t always know where it will lead – if I’ll be taking off semi-long distance, or circling the block.
But these past (nearly) four years have brought me time and again to the same spot at almost the same time of night, watching what has felt like variations of the same storm. My mind and heart in the same place.
For your ears:
A lot of the time, when it comes to chasing lightning, you walk with total acceptance that you may not capture anything worth your while. And that’s okay, because it’s really just a meditation on breathing with the storm and witnessing everyone and everything else breathing with the storm as well.
But some nights you get the sense that maybe there was something in the mix.
Tonight, on the eve of the New Moon in Gemini 2026, there was something in the mix.
None of these images are altered except to bring up the shadows ever so slightly, adjust the black point, diminish a bit of grain, and export for web. No funny business. No painting shapes in the clouds. Nada. Pretty darn close to SOOC.
I have some thoughts. But for now, I just wanted to share what I witnessed.
It’s late – or early – and after finally watching She Came to Me for the first time (so good), I find myself thoroughly ready for rest.
May we remember that we’re part of it all. And it’s wildly magical. (Even when it’s a bit more subtle.) Big forces at play. Big forces looking out.
Warmly,
Jen
✨🌿