Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography by Tori Jane Ostberg
As an Arizona native, photographer Tori Jane Ostberg has encountered many misconceptions about her home state, with some perceiving it as nothing more than a barren landscape of saguaro cacti and desolate mountains.
“I’ve heard it all: It’s ‘boring,’ a ‘desert wasteland’ and ‘ugly’ — but I couldn’t disagree more with these descriptors,” she says. “Arizona is full of nearly every landscape you can imagine, from plains and prairies to mountains, forests, deserts and more. People think of nothing but the cacti, it seems — but it’s so much more than that.”
Determined to challenge these narrow perceptions, Ostberg during the 2020 lockdown embarked on an artistic journey to capture the true essence of Arizona’s diverse and dynamic landscapes.
“I was out of work, so I took the opportunity to explore this amazing state on the road,” Ostberg recalls. “I’d pick a random road or highway and think, ‘I’ve never been down there; I wonder what’s up,’ and then continue to do that until I became tired and went home. Just about every single time, I was amazed at the places and landscapes I stumbled upon.”
As Ostberg immersed herself in this exploration process, her relationship with Arizona’s landscapes evolved profoundly.
“I used to daydream daily about leaving Arizona,” she admits. “Anywhere but here — and I mean anywhere. In the process of shooting this project, however, I rediscovered the incredible variety of landscapes this state holds, and I realized I live in an incredibly special place. I no longer wish to leave Arizona. I’m thrilled to live in this beautiful, vividly dynamic place.”
Aptly titling her project “Welcome to Arizona,” Ostberg aims to capture visually stunning landscapes that not only showcase the state’s beauty but also elicit surprise and curiosity from viewers who might not have imagined such scenes exist in Arizona.
“It’s particularly gratifying when locals who have lived here their entire lives are stunned by the array of scenes I’ve photographed here,” she says. “And it’s an honor when people who have never visited decide they’d like to after seeing these images. Arizona is more than saguaro cacti; treeless mountains; vast, open deserts; and the Grand Canyon. While those things are beautiful, they are far from the full picture.”
In this special summer edition of Images Arizona, we proudly present a selection of Ostberg’s photos that showcase our state’s lesser-known, ethereal landscapes, unveiling a tapestry of natural wonders that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about Arizona.
Landscapes, Lessons and Limitless Surprises
Growing up in — and photographing — Arizona’s breathtaking landscapes has taught Tori Jane Ostberg an invaluable lesson.
“Very seldom is anything exactly as it seems, even to those who have spent their entire lives here,” she says. “I’ve learned never to assume what’s on the other side of that mountain, what’s down that road or what I think the landscape ‘should’ look like over there. There will, no doubt, always be surprises — and you never know what you’ll encounter.”
Among Ostberg’s favorite locations that she has captured are the open, plainslike fields west of Phoenix and the wine country in southern Arizona.
“I think ‘Welcome to Arizona’ will be a forever ‘living’ project; there will always be more amazing landscapes to stumble upon and photographs to add to it,” she says. “Arizona, with her amazing, unique landscapes, will never cease to amaze me.”
About the Photographer
For acclaimed storm photographer Tori Jane Ostberg, the coming summer holds irresistible allure.
“I’ll be on the road chasing the amazing monsoon season we should be having from June through October,” says Ostberg, whose “Welcome to Arizona” collection is a love letter to the unexpected diversity of her home state’s landscapes. “Or, at least, I hope it will be amazing — kind of like the rest of the Copper State.”
An accomplished extreme weather photographer with a lifelong passion for capturing untamed skies, Ostberg is driven by an obsession for the surreal and exotic. She has made it her life’s work to chase down the most extraordinary weather phenomena across North America, driving thousands of miles in pursuit of the perfect shot.
However, it is Arizona’s unique and often overlooked monsoon season that holds a particularly special place in Ostberg’s heart as a proud native of the state. Each of her breathtaking images offers a glimpse into her soul, reflecting an unwavering determination to capture the sublime beauty of severe weather as an equal blend of enchanting allure and formidable power.
Through her work, Ostberg invites viewers to share in her appreciation for nature’s grand spectacles while also recognizing the importance of respecting and revering the forces at play.
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