Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Snead.
Hi Justin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As with most creatives, my journey into storm chasing (and consequently storm photography) began as a complete accident. Growing up in the rural south left little to the imagination in terms of storm structure and tornadoes as it is something we rarely experience.
Imagine my surprise when I came across a rotating supercell in rural Minnesota on a rather humid day. I’ll never forget how exhilarating it was to pull off on an exit and feel the wind against my back as it rushed into the storm. The adrenaline rush that came with my phone vibrating in my pocket as a tornado warning (the first one I had ever experienced) was issued.
With a peaked curiosity, I dove feverishly into the world of storm chasing and well, the rest is history. Fast forward a few years and my journey in storm photography has unlocked a completely new life that I never imagined would exist.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Challenging is an understatement when it comes to diving into the world of storm chasing. Learning how to read radar, basic model data and forecast soundings immediately come into your world and is at the very least intimidating. Just as you’re beginning to master these things, you encounter learning how to actually chase and use real-time data to make decisions on targets. This comes with its own set of challenges and hazards such as avoiding large hail, not being hit by a tornado, avoiding hazardous driving from other chasers, etc.
When it comes to the photography side of things, learning how to master settings along with finding proper compositions during stressful situations (and often scenes that are fleeting in mere moments) presents its own set of unique challenges.
Combining all of these challenges together presents a unique moment in time. The chase itself becomes an act of art. I’m lucky to have the opportunity to freeze some of these moments within a digital file.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in capturing unique severe weather scenes across the American Midwest. This includes lightning, tornadoes and structured supercells. My work is known for its unique moody style which comes from me expressing my emotions within the art. Learning how to do this has slowly set me apart from others because I do not look to create the perfect photo. Instead, I strike to evoke emotions from the viewers of my work.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up in the south as a biracial kid gave me a unique view of how the world operates. While I grew up with interests like most kids did; playing with friends, cracking jokes, participating in sports, etc., I also had to watch my back. At any moment a walk down the street could become an encounter with a racist person who meant me harm. Luckily times have changed, but this forced my personality to be a lot more subdued compared to how I am now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/TheDreadlockTraveler
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedreadlocktraveler/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedreadlocktraveler
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DreadlockTvlr
Image Credits
Tim Baca (Personal Photo)
