In September of 2025, my work is generating the most income it ever has in my career. Yet, I'm being forced to shut down my successul operation, against my will, due to one cause alone: 95% of that revenue is being stolen by piracy and copyright infringement. I've lost more than $1 million to copyright infringement in the last 15 years, and it's finally brought an end to my professional storm chasing operation. Do not be misled by the lies of infringers, anti-copyright activists and organized piracy cartels. This page is a detailed, evidenced account of my battle I had to undertake to just barely stay in business, and eventually could not overcome. It's a problem faced by all of my colleagues and most other creators in the field.
I decided to cover this storm in two blog posts, since itself will have two phases. The first is the lightning/thunderstorm event that affected the St. Louis metro with near-constant rounds of lightning from around 9PM to 4AM! I sacrificed many 'lightning over dark landscapes' shots in order to try and capture bolts with Christmas themed scenes, a very rare opportunity. Though I only captured one such composition, it was the one I'd been hoping to get all along.
Stay tuned for part 2 of this storm (the snow event) slated to start affecting St. Louis around noon through the evening hours.
Click images for larger versions
The shot I'd been hoping for. I'd been trying for something like this (lightning with a lit Christmas tree) for the past 10 or so years! This is lightning with the Kiener Plaza Christmas tree, Old Courthouse and Arch in downtown St. Louis:
This from along I-44 at Valley Park, MO just before 10PM:
VERY COOL PIC.. but you are crazy to be out in the weather JUST to get a photo!! Takes SPECIAL person to do what you do!! God bless you and keep you safe and warm! - Posted by Ann L from WV / MX
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From Dan: Please Read
To my regular readers, I offer my apologies for this heavy-handed notice. Unfortunately it has become necessary, so please bear with me!
Please don't copy/upload this site's content to social media or other web sites. Those copies have been a critical problem for me, seriously harming this site and my photography/storm chasing operation by diverting traffic, viewers, engagement and income. "Credit" and "exposure" does not benefit this site or my operation, rather they threaten my ability to cover my operating expenses. Please read my full explanation for this notice here.
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