Last night's storm broke the clammy air of the recent heatwave.

It also broke a dry spell for esteemed lightning Photographer David Christie from Deal who has been keenly awaiting the next tempest in the skies.

The professional is usually busy snapping couples as they tie the knot, but he's always waiting for a chance to go out with his camera for his unique hobby - storm chasing.

That chance came last night at 9pm.

He went out with his Cannon 5Dmk3 and braved the elements with no tent or brollie until 2am.

Mr Christie, 44, said: "I've been wanting to get pictures of lightning over Dover Castle for a long time so I started there but it was not happening.

"Sometimes the rain gets in the way of the lightning. I had a drive around and ended up at the north end of Deal which is where the pictures were taken."

Hailing from Marlborough Road, Deal, he started the pastime with his late wife Jodie.

His picture of lightning over Deal Pier caught the attention of KentOnline's sister paper the East Kent Mercury in July 2009.

At the time he was working in fitness and caring for his wife.

He started selling his pictures and held an exhibition at Deal's Astor Theatre.

The demand for his skills became the catalyst for a career change - the creation of his business Crystal Memories.

His hobby is international - he has also travelled to the USA to get pictures of tornados, including a very rare three tornado touchdown.

He added: "I last got out to the USA in 2016 but hopefully will get back out there next year."

Lockdown has been a challenge for the dad. Work inevitably dried up where weddings got cancelled or postponed because of Covid restrictions. And despite getting out every time there's a storm in Kent, last night he was pleased to get out (and get wet) doing what he loves most.

But while we might think his latest images are stunners, Mr Christie is more modest.

On Facebook he said: "Well last night's storm chase was a bit testing to get some good shots, but I think I managed to get a few half-decent ones in the end."

To see more storm chasing pictures, visit the landscape section of his website here. crystalmemoriesphotography.co.uk/

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