Interview with Susan Strom the "Lightning Lady"

Tell us about yourself and how you got started in photographing lightning?

A close call with lightning in 1994 made me fearful at first, then compelled me to learn more about how lightning works. I was already a photographer, so adding lightning photography to my quest for knowledge helped me look at lightning for a longer time than it allows us in nature. Once the lightning exposure was learned, I was hooked. That was over 10 years ago. Presently, I am still shooting lightning, now having traveled to 10 states to chase storms.
How can you tell when the rain storms are among us?

One natural way to tell the rain is coming is by the scent of the creosote bush. This is the smell of desert rain. The bush responds to humidity, emitting a strong aroma. Another sign of incoming thunderstorms is the dust/sandstorm. It is a 2000' wall of sand that engulfs entire cities. It is caused by outflow, which results from the collapse of thunderstorms behind it. Where old thunderstorms exist, new ones are sure to follow, becoming evident when the sand wall has passed.

What other locations do you shoot weather photos?

I have shot in 10 states, the Southwest,Northern Plains, Southern Plains, and Tornado Alley.

Are there any other types of photos you take?

I chased tornadoes for 5 years. Tornados, storms and super cells are inspiring. Tornadoes have a dark side however, and it is hard to see damage first hand and talk to those who have lost homes. This is the part of chasing in the Plains that is hard to swallow. Although lightning can be deadly, lightning to me is pure beauty, possessing much more light than darkness.

I know that you may be asked this question frequently, but how did you get the name "Lightning Lady?"

The name was given to me by Tempe Camera in 1999. It was an El Nino year. I brought roll after roll of lightning into the lab for processing. Len Bahl, the manager, gave me the name and it stuck.

Where can people purchase some of your photos?

My contact page has a link to a gallery where posters are available.http://www.lightninglady.com/stock.htm