Meet Donna Ruthruff | Photographer of Lightning and other beautiful moments

We had the good fortune of connecting with Donna Ruthruff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Donna, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
As a lighting photographer, it’s all about risk. If you’re not willing for a certain degree of risk, this would not be for you. The question comes to play when I ask myself “How much risk am I willing to take?” In every storm, I weigh the risks. “Should I leave now? Is it safe to stay in this position?” “How close is the lightning and what is my comfort zone?” For me, sometimes, pushing the boundaries is where the excitement lies. Every lightning photographer and storm chaser knows what the risks are, being struck by lightning, hail damage or stuck in a wash. But without any risk, there is no adventure and there is no adrenaline rush and ultimately, there is no lightning photography. The most important thing for me is that after every storm, I arrive back home safely. Lightning is one of the most dangerous things to photograph. Monsoon storms in Arizona move very quickly and even using all the knowledge I have learned and the weather apps to try to predict where lightning may strike, lightning ultimately is unpredictable.
There are ways to cut down on the risk. When I started chasing storms, I became a storm spotter, I took workshops from experienced storm photographers and learned how to use weather apps. I also met other storm chasers and always try to bring someone with me. I always make sure I have my “chase kit” with me, which includes extra water, snacks, tow straps, battery cables, and various tools. It is so important to be prepared for whatever may happen. Even doing everything I can do to mitigate risk, there is always risk in lightning photography. It’s an accepted risk because I love what I do.
The Arizona desert is such an amazing place. Through my photography, I strive to share with others how I feel when I am out there. Standing at the foot of a beautiful storm as its rumbling and throwing bolts this way and that is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. Then the sunset comes and the sky turns red, a rainbow appears and the storm throws a bolt and suddenly it is so beautiful that I feel like I’m in a dream. That shot is the ultimate reward! Some say it’s a luck shot, but I say we make our own luck by just getting out there.
Our monsoon season doesn’t last as long as I would like (I wish it was all year) and while storm photography is my passion, I also love to photograph wildlife, pets, families, graduates and whatever else comes my way. I just love to capture beautiful moments.

I’ve always loved photography but when I started taking photos of storms, it became my passion! Taking risks in photography is what makes living exciting and motivates me to grab my camera and run outside when other people are heading for cover. Even when I find myself in the desert with a fizzing storm and no lightning at all, I never regret the chase. It’s always beautiful and I appreciate every moment this Arizona desert has to offer me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
There are many great photographers in Arizona so I never really expected that I would even be able to call myself a “photographer”. I’ve always just been a lady who loves taking pictures. When people started asking to buy my work is when I  started to struggle. Sales and marketing is definitely the hardest thing for me. I actually have things I produced to sell but never marketed it because I hate that part of the work. I would rather just take photos. However, when I see my work hanging on other people’s walls is when I feel the most rewarded for all my effort. My biggest challenge is just believing in myself and marketing my work. I have found that the more people that see my work, the more people that come to me asking for it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If a friend came to Arizona to spend some time with me, I would want them to come storm chase with me. With storm chasing, we don’t really plan ahead but the weather dictates where we go. I love to stop at hole-in-the-wall places and explore. I love all the little towns in Southern Arizona and the history surrounding them.  I love to support these small businesses in out of the way locations.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents always encouraged me to have a sense of adventure and I credit them with my love for storm chasing. As a child in Washington State, when there was a storm they would get me and my siblings packed into our old station wagon and go out “looking for devastation”. Oftentimes we would end up at the beach watching the big waves and the Ferry boats being tossed around. In a way, that was the beginning of storm chasing. We just didn’t call it that at the time.

A few years ago, after a large storm hit Tucson, I was looking at photos online and came across some Tucson storm chaser’s photos. I thought to myself “What? They do that here?”. That’s the moment my life changed. I am also so grateful for the amazing group of Tucson Storm Chasers that has provided me with mentorship and friendship.

Also a BIG shoutout to one of my storm chasing partners, Dawn Jefferson.  Check out her work here: http://delightscapes.com/albums

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnaruthruffphotography/

Other: Email donnaruthruffphotography@gmail.com

Image Credits
All photos are taken by myself except for the image of me and my camera. The Donna with Camera photo was taken by Tami Asars with permission to share..