Stories from the Field: Chasing Monsoon Season with Bolt Hunter

Monsoon season in the American Southwest is one of my favorite times of year. The desert transforms — dry washes turn into rivers, the air smells like creosote, and the sky comes alive with light.

For me, that’s where Bolt Hunter really proved itself.

1. The first field test

Our first working prototype went out during a storm near Tucson. The air was thick, the wind was howling, and I honestly didn’t know if the electronics would survive. It did. The first bolt it caught was so clean it looked staged — and that moment confirmed everything we’d been chasing.

2. The chase rhythm

Monsoon chasing isn’t about driving a thousand miles in a day; it’s about patience. You watch the clouds build all afternoon, then come alive at dusk. I’d set up a tripod, plug in Bolt Hunter, and let it run. There’s a peace to it — you’re part of something bigger but still in control of your little window on the storm.

3. The lessons

What I learned that season wasn’t just about lightning photography — it was about simplicity. Gear should disappear when you’re shooting. The trigger shouldn’t distract you; it should let you focus on composition, safety, and the sky itself.

4. Community moments

That summer, I met other chasers who started testing Bolt Hunter too. We’d compare notes in parking lots and share raw captures in the hotel lobby after midnight. It reminded me why I started this — to build something the community could stand behind.

5. The payoff

By the end of monsoon season, I had hundreds of clean captures — no missed bolts, no blank frames. Every strike felt earned. When I looked at those shots later, I realized the product wasn’t just working — it was empowering people to enjoy the chase more.

Storm photography isn’t about perfection. It’s about being there, prepared, and ready when nature decides to perform. That’s the heart of every photo, and it’s the heart of Bolt Hunter too.