That is the question asked herself as a kid growing up on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. She’d buy what she called the “famous yellow-bordered” magazine,which has showcased the best of nature and wildlife photography since it was first printed in 1888,and pore over the photos,wondering what sort of patience they took to capture.
First stop in the learning process was work experience atThe Sydney Morning Herald in 2006. She gave up dreams of becoming a sports photographer when she met theHerald’s chief photographer,Nick Moir,who taught her the art of “storm chasing.”
Photographer Krystle Wright takes stationary images of her lighting design on a Long Canyon cliff face.National Geographic/Pablo Durana
Nearly two decades later,Wright’s behind-the-scenes photography work,capturing her chasing tornadoes and climbing canyons,along with the work of six otherNational Geographic shooters,features in the documentary serieswhich premieres this week on Disney + in Australia.
Australian photographer Krystle Wright is one of seven National Geographic photographers featured in 'Photographer,' streaming this week on Disney+.
It features six episodes,each one an hour-long journey into one photographer’s process as they work on a particular project. Wright’s episode features her work chasing storms in Morton,in western Texas with Moir in 2022,as well as a rock climbing expedition in Utah.
“I reached out to Nick,so he could teach me the art of chasing monster storms,and within an hour of chasing one I was addicted and have been ever since,” Wright said.
“From the moment I mentored her in storm chasing she’s been infatuated with it,and you can see that in the documentary,” Moir said.
“I guess we all have a storm chaser within us,the 1997 filmTwister has been held in high regard and for some of us that infatuation never goes away,” Wright said.
“The first storm chasing season I was nervous,but after that,I learnt each time how close you can get,and what calculated risks you can take. It’s exhilarating to stand so close and witness the pure raw power of nature.”
“There’s this yin/yang of danger and beauty,” Wright explains about deciding how to stay safe chasing storms.
“Photographing out in the elements,you are at the mercy of Mother Nature.”
Developed by Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin,the Academy and Emmy Award-winning team that produced and directedFree Solo about climber Alex Honnold’s ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite,the show puts the spotlight on the people usually behind the camera,to tell the stories behind their photos.
Sydney Morning Herald Chief photographer Nick Moir joins Australian photographer Krystal Wright chasing a tornado in western Texas.
The show took two years to film and is a homage to the individuals who work excruciatingly hard over untold hours to makeNational Geographic images possible,according to the series makers.
As for what it takes to be aNational Geographic photographer,Wright says it boils down to one simple thing:“a willingness to take a risk.”
Photographer is streaming now on Disney +.