We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bo Insogna a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Bo, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

What do I hope my legacy will be?

I hope to be remembered as a passionate and dedicated professional photographer who inspired awe with my lightning photography and breathtaking nature landscapes.

Since 1987, I’ve been chasing lightning storms, vibrant colors, and the magic of light. Over the years, my work has been featured in books, publications, and media, reaching audiences far and wide. I’m grateful that much of my art will endure, adorning the walls of banks, hospitals, offices, hotels, assisted living centers, and other commercial spaces.

For years, I rose before dawn to capture the first light of day, ventured out when thunder rolled, pursued sunsets and rainbows, and stayed up through the night to photograph the stars. Every image is a testament to my love for the beauty of nature and the relentless pursuit of its fleeting moments.

Bo, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

How It All Began

I’m originally from Pittsburgh, PA. Growing up, I was deeply into music, playing the piano and performing in rock bands. Those gigs even helped me pay for my Fender Rhodes piano! My dream was to pursue music in school, but my father wasn’t on board with the idea, so I ended up studying to become an electrician instead.

When my family relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona, I followed them and started working as an apprentice electrician in Phoenix. Long story short—I hated it. Waking up at the crack of dawn, working long hours, and feeling like I had no life left me completely unhappy.

One evening while out for dinner, I noticed everyone around me enjoying themselves, laughing, and having a good time. That moment made me reevaluate my path. Before long, I quit my electrician job and became a waiter. The flexibility of working fewer hours allowed me to meet new people and explore other interests.

In late 1979, I moved to Boulder, Colorado, on a whim. Not knowing anyone, I found a job at an Italian restaurant and embraced the mountain lifestyle—skiing three times a week in the winter and biking in the summer. Those were some of the best days of my life.

It was during this time that I discovered photography, finding it to be another creative outlet. I realized it could be more than a passion—it could be a career. I enrolled in a correspondence course with the New York Institute of Photography, bought a Pentax K1000, and started shooting. By day, I took on photography projects for local businesses, realtors, publications, and models, while continuing to wait tables at night for cash and food.

In 1987, as the economy in Colorado declined, I decided to return to Scottsdale to be closer to my family. I worked part-time in a high-end fine dining restaurant at night and focused on building my photography business during the day. I landed a gig with Phoenician Arabian Magazine, photographing stunning Arabian horses, and expanded my portfolio with family portraits, headshots, and model portfolios.

That same year, everything changed—I chased my first lightning storm and was instantly hooked. When I got the film back, I was blown away. That moment inspired the name of my business, Striking Photography, and earned me the nickname “The Lightning Man” both locally and globally. Storm season became my nightly adventure, balancing passion and safety with a dash of risk-taking.

Back then, capturing lightning was all manual—film cameras, tripods, and shutter release cables. No lightning triggers existed, and I had to wait an agonizing week for the film to be developed to see if I’d caught anything. There were countless nights I got nothing, but the dedication paid off when I captured those “money shots.”

In the mid-1990s, I sold my beloved Fender Rhodes piano to purchase my first digital camera. The industry was changing rapidly, with new cameras, megapixels, and editing software constantly emerging. It was a whirlwind, but I adapted. Now, I’m amazed at how far the technology has come—and how quickly AI is reshaping the field.

For over 30 years, I was obsessed with chasing lightning, afraid to miss the storm or the shot of a lifetime. It took me three years after I stopped chasing to stop having anxiety attacks about it. These days, I sit back and enjoy storms, occasionally shooting one if I’m lucky.

A friend once told me, “You know, not everyone likes lightning storms.” That stuck with me and motivated me to diversify my work. I began focusing on creating images that would look beautiful on people’s walls and spark conversation—whether it was through lightning photography, astrophotography, long exposures, or time stacks.

Most of my work sells as large prints, and I also license my images for books, publications, and media. My goal has always been to capture images that leave people in awe—images that the average person or photographer couldn’t or wouldn’t take. That’s the essence of Striking Photography: creating art that inspires wonder and elevates spaces.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I think NFTs are an intriguing concept and represent a fascinating avenue for artists to explore. While I’d love to delve into the world of NFTs, it does require a certain level of investment and carries some inherent risks.

Over the years, I’ve been approached numerous times on social media by individuals claiming to offer $6K+ for each NFT image. However, in my experience, many of these offers come from scammers using fake accounts. The process of creating and selling NFTs typically involves setting up an Ethereum wallet and connecting it to a reputable marketplace, which makes it crucial to tread carefully.

While NFTs are likely a significant part of the future of digital art, I also think some of the hype around them is exaggerated. To avoid scams, it’s essential to stick with trusted platforms like OpenSea and be vigilant about fake sites that aim to steal wallets or impose fraudulent mining fees.

I firmly believe in diversifying income streams, whether in business or life. It’s a smart way to create financial security and resilience if one source of income slows down or dries up. NFTs could be one such stream, provided the risks are managed carefully.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is seeing my work displayed, especially in prominent or high-profile spaces. There’s something deeply fulfilling about knowing my art resonates enough to become part of someone’s environment. Having my images featured in books, on CD or magazine covers, or in other published forms is also incredibly gratifying—it’s a testament to the impact and reach of my creativity.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.boinsogna.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strikingphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrikingPhotographyByBo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boinsogna/recent-activity/all/
• Twitter: https://x.com/bophoto
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/theelightningman
• Other: https://james-insogna.pixels.com/

Image Credits

James “Bo” Insogna