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Sedona Camera Club: The Art of Storm Chasing


After sunset, a storm at the Grand Canyon sends out a lightning bolt that strikes down one of the canyon walls on Aug. 17, 2021.
Photos by Mike Olbinski

After sunset, a storm at the Grand Canyon sends out a lightning bolt that strikes down one of the canyon walls on Aug. 17, 2021. Photos by Mike Olbinski


Originally Published: March 16, 2022 10:49 a.m.

Monday, March 28, at 6 p.m. the Sedona Camera Club will present professional photographer Mike Olbinski at the Sedona Creative Life Center, 333 Schnebly Hill Road, Sedona. Doors open at 5:30.

With COVID testing now indicating safe levels locally, the Club has modified their position regarding safety measures. The Sedona Camera Club will now hold our monthly member meetings using the standards recommended by CDC’s latest updates. The Club asks attendees to be fully vaccinated. Wearing masks are at the attendees’ discretion.

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Mike poses for a “Supercellfie” on May 16, 2021 near Sudan, Texas. Photos by Mike Olbinski

Mike Olbinski is an Emmy-winning photographer and filmmaker based in Phoenix,. He’s lived in Arizona his entire life and grew up watching storms with his dad during the summer monsoon season. Inspired by the show Storm Chasers on Discovery, Mike started chasing storms over a decade ago in his home state and quickly expanded to cover the central United States as well.

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A stunning supercell during blue hour flashes with lightning near Earth, Texas on May 16, 2021. Photos by Mike Olbinski

Olbinski will share the story of how he got into chasing storms, where it‘s led him, how his footage was licensed by Marvel Studios, how a monster dust storm helped the word „haboob“ go mainstream, how he‘s failed and succeeded, how he forecasts for a chase and highlights of some of the best chases from 2021 - illustrated by spectacular images and time-lapse photography.

His work has been featured in Arizona Highways, he won Weather Photographer of the Year in 2017, runner up in the National Geographic Photography Contest, and his work has been licensed by clients such as Microsoft, Netflix, NatGeo, Marvel Studios, Lamborghini, The Weather Channel, the BBC and all major car brands.

When asked what keeps him going, Mike responds: “This is what I love to do. It’s an addiction, it’s a passion, and I can’t help but do it.”

Presentations, hosted by the Sedona Camera Club, are free to members. There is a $5 fee for guests. Local photographers are encouraged to join to support bringing high-quality speakers to promote interest in photography and develop photographic skills. Membership costs $35 for the whole year. For more information on the Sedona Camera Club, go to SedonaCamera.club.

Information provided by Sedona Camera Club.