While most people batten down the hatches during a storm event Will Eades lives for the chase of the powerful weather event.
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The Port Macquarie photographer's striking storm shot, captured from Tacking Point Lighthouse, has gained international attention and a spot in the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's 2020 calendar.
A self-confessed addict to storm chasing, Mr Eades said the danger has become part of the thrill in achieving the perfect shot.
"A lot of the things you see are unbelievable," he said.
Mr Eades said the average person would miss out on seeing the phenomenon of an intense storm system, however photography has made those moments accessible to everyone.
Through the rise of sharing photographs on social media, Mr Eades said it's possible for images to be shared and notch up international fame through going viral.
Mr Eades' winning photograph captured a shelf cloud, which according to the BOM is a low wedge-shaped cloud formation which is usually attached to a cumulonimbus, or thunderstorm.
"These clouds are formed by the interaction between a downdraft of cool air coming out of the storm, and an updraft of warm air rising into the storm," the BOM's website states.
"As the cool air moves away from the storm, it undercuts the warm air and the shelf cloud is formed at the boundary of the two air masses."
As a new father to six-month-old Jack, Mr Eades said his photography has only expanded and he's opened a second Instagram account almost entirely to his son.
He said he's lucky to have a supportive fiance Amy, who encourages him to get out in the action of storms when he can.
Mr Eades has travelled internationally to track down massive weather systems.
While Tornado Alley evokes memories of the 90s thriller movie Twister, Mr Eades can't wait to get back to the states to capture the action.
"It's similar to what it's (Twister) like but it's no where near as dangerous," he said.
Read more: Will Eades ventures into Tornado Alley
Mr Eades has learnt to read and predict the movement of weather systems, a skill which he said is crucial as a storm photographer.
The rise of weather apps has simplified the process for keen photographers.
Some people drive towards the core of a storm system, while Mr Eades keeps a safe distance away.
"They are huge storm systems and can make you feel pretty insignificant," he said.
Mr Eades' Instagram page would suggest a storm hits Port Macquarie every other day.
However, Mr Eades said that's actually not the case. He said majority of storms miss Port Macquarie and instead hit Taree or Forster.
In Port Macquarie, Mr Eades said he's more of a storm waiter rather than a chaser.
However he always has his car close by, just in case he has to duck for cover from lightning bolts.
Mr Eades said while capturing storms is dangerous, the trade off is the closer the storm the better the lightning will look in photos.
A vantage point, like a headland is essential for capturing the action of a storm.
He said lighting can make all the difference to a photo, with an amazing effect as it pierces through clouds or rain.
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