Kim, CO. Photos provided by Greg Johnson.
By Don Corrigan
Pictured: Greg Johnson.
Poet Robert Frost declared the world could end in fire or ice. Greg Johnson would add tornadoes. Known as the “Tornado Hunter,” Johnson will lecture and have his storm photo work exhibited at Webster University on March 6.
Webster’s Kooyumjian Gallery actually is covering all the bases. In addition to tornadic storms, the exhibit will also include work of wildfire photographer Kari Greer and Camille Seaman’s work on climate change impact on polar regions.
“This dynamic exhibit shows the raw power and extremes of Mother Nature and serves as both a historical record of major events, but also shows off the power of photography to tell a story,” said Gallery Director Kristina Richards.
“The exhibited images stand the test of time. They portray powerful moments, from glaciers breaking apart and huge forest fires, to river flooding, flash flooding, tornadoes, extreme heat and cold,” Richards said.
Joplin, MO. Photo courtesy of Greg Johnson.
This “all natural disasters, all the time” photo event will get local. It will feature images from current and past Post-Dispatch photographers David Carson, Robert Cohen, Wayne Crosslin, J.B. Forbes, Christian Gooden, Jerry Naunheim Jr., Jim Rackwitz and Laurie Skrivan.
“For news photojournalists, the job is always the same: Rush to the scene, try to stay safe, show what is happening, and compassionately humanize the disaster,” said Michael Hamtil, multimedia director at the Post-Dispatch.
Plevna, MT. Photo courtesy Greg Johnson.
While covering disasters, the clock always ticks toward a deadline, said Hamtil. Breaking stories and photos are described as “the first draft of history,” he added. A major part of St. Louis history involves weather disasters.
The Post-Dispatch exhibit and the work of Johnson, Greer and Seaman will be on display in the Kooyumjian Gallery through April 23. However, March 6 is the date for visitors to enjoy an opportunity to talk with photographers Johnson and Greer.
At 4 p.m., March 6, Johnson will lecture on his work as a “Tornado Hunter.” A reception will immediately follow for Johnson and wildfire photographer Kari Greer from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
The exhibits and events are free and open to the public. Visitors are invited to use the 8300 Big Bend Blvd. address for the show at the Kooyumjian Gallery. The gallery is open daily 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tornado Hunter Johnson
Pictured: Greg Johnson.
Photographer Johnson established his credentials as a tornado hunter with the Joplin’s devastating storm of May 22, 2011. Joplin’s F-5 tornado killed more than 155 people and destroyed 4,000 houses.
“I saw my first tornado in 2010 in Litchfield, Illinois, and that really got me started,” said Johnson. “The next year I was there for the Joplin disaster. There were four international news agencies that were buying my photos.
“I have been chasing tornadoes and taking photos ever since,” added Johnson. “I live in Canada where I do photography seminars all over during most of the year, but in spring I am down in the American plains for the tornado outbreaks.
Johnson noted that there is some evidence that the so-called “tornado alley” is moving east from the line of states originally in that designation. That means Missouri, Arkansas and Mississippi may be in the bullseye at tornado season.
“In 2025, St. Louis was in the epicenter of things,” said Johnson. “The majority of tornadoes happened within a 250-mile radius of St. Louis. And southeast Missouri was especially hard hit.”
Johnson noted the iconic photo of the May 16, 2025 St. Louis tornado taken from the windows at the top of the Gateway Arch.
“I would not be staying up in the Arch to take photos with a storm like that bearing down,” said Johnson. “That’s a fool’s game. I was in Oklahoma in 2013 outbreak. The tornado grew to 2.6 miles in width. It’s not easy to get away from that.
“Three tornado photographers shooting for National Geographic died in that tornado,” added Johnson. “My goal is to get the tornado pictures and get out fast. I am content to shoot them from one-half mile away, no closer, and to get out.”
Johnson said he loved the original “Twister” movie, but said it’s unrealistic and outdated. He said special tornado trucks with satellite dishes are no longer needed, since tracking can be done on a cell phone.
“People ask me what tornado shot I have I not taken yet,” said Johnson. “Well, there is that image of a flying cow in the tornado in ‘Twister.’ I would like to get that shot.
Pilger, NE. Photo courtesy of Greg Johnson
“There was a twister in Nebraska a few years that hit a feedlot,” said Johnson. “I missed that opportunity. It killed a lot of livestock and I am sure there were some flying animals.”
To see Johnson’s storm photography and to hear his tornado stories, the “Tornado Hunter” will be part of the natural disaster exhibit at Kooyumjian Gallery on the Webster University campus at 4 p.m., March 6.
Bios of Photographers in March 6 “Fire, Storm & Ice Show
Greg Johnson
“Tornado Hunter,” Greg Johnson has transformed storm chasing into both art and science. Since 2010, he has pursued nature’s fiercest forces across the U.S. and Canada, capturing breathtaking images that reveal the beauty and power of extreme weather. From intercepting the catastrophic 2011 Joplin tornado to starring in the hit TV series Tornado Hunters and authoring three acclaimed books, Johnson has built a career at the intersection of adventure, technology, and storytelling. His work—featured in media worldwide—offers an electrifying look at humanity’s relationship with the atmosphere’s most volatile moods, inspiring audiences to respect and marvel at the raw energy of the natural world.
Kari Greer
Kari Greer is a renowned wildfire photographer and photojournalist based at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. With over two decades of experience, Kari has specialized in capturing the dynamic and dangerous world of wildland fires, producing images that are as powerful as they are informative. Her work has been featured in prestigious publications such as National Geographic Adventure and The New York Times. Equipped with an Olympus E-3 camera, a Nomex fire suit, and essential safety gear, Kari ventures into active fire zones where few photographers dare to go. Her assignments often take her into extreme environments, navigating 130-degree heat, dodging falling trees, and sleeping in her vehicle after long days in the field. Despite the risks, Kari’s determination and meticulous preparation enable her to access and document moments that are otherwise unreachable.
Camille Seaman
Camille Seaman strongly believes in capturing photographs that articulate that humans are not separate from nature. Born to a Native American father (Shinnecock) and an African American mother, Seaman’s connection to the natural world is deeply influenced by her Shinnecock heritage and her grandfather’s teachings about respect and interdependence. For more than two decades, she has documented the changing landscapes of Earth’s polar regions and turbulent skies, revealing both their power and fragility. Through her photographs, Seaman invites viewers to recognize our shared existence with the planet—to see that every cloud, glacier, and storm reflects not distance, but kinship. She is a TED Senior Fellow, Stanford Knight Fellow, and Cinereach Filmmaker in Residence Fellow. Her work mainly concerns the polar regions, where she captures the effects of climate change, thus merging the realms of science and art.
The Missouri Invasive Plant Council (MoIP), in partnership with the Missouri Community Forestry Council, Magnificent Missouri, Forest ReLeaf of Missouri, Forrest Keeling Nursery, the Missouri Prairie Foundation, and the Missouri Department of Conservation, will host a Callery pear “buyback” program at 23 locations around the state on April 21. On this date, citizens who register with a photo of a cut down Callery pear tree from their property will receive a free native tree.
Environmental Echo 