Gijs de Reijke

Gijs de Reijke is a Dutch landscape and nature photographer who has gained international recognition for his specialized work in severe weather documentation and astronomical imagery. While he maintains a low profile regarding his private life, his professional career has established him as a leading figure in European meteorological photography.

His work stands out because it blends artistic composition with deep scientific understanding of geology and atmospheric conditions. Unlike many photographers who focus solely on aesthetics, De Reijke leverages his background in earth sciences to predict and capture rare weather phenomena. His most famous image, a fireball caused by asteroid 2023 CX1, was featured on NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day, bringing his unique perspective to a massive global audience. [edit]

Growing up in the Netherlands during the 1980s, Gijs de Reijke developed a profound fascination with natural sciences rather than traditional art forms. His early years were defined by an intense curiosity about geology, geomorphology, meteorology, and biology. This scientific foundation set him apart from peers who might have pursued photography purely for creative expression. He spent much of his youth exploring woodland environments and observing the dramatic skies typical of the Dutch countryside.

Before achieving global fame, De Reijke worked as a geography teacher. This role allowed him to blend his academic interests with his passion for the outdoors, providing a steady income while he honed his skills behind the lens. He started capturing images of the local Dutch landscape, but his focus quickly shifted toward extreme weather phenomena. By the mid-2010s, he began contributing to platforms like Severe-Weather.eu, documenting events like widespread noctilucent clouds over Europe in July 2017. These early contributions laid the groundwork for his transition from a local educator to an internationally recognized storm chaser. [edit]

Gijs de Reijke achieved significant international fame in February 2023 when he captured a rare and spectacular image of the fireball caused by asteroid 2023 CX1. The event occurred around 3:00 a.m. local time near his home in the Kampina nature reserve in the Netherlands. His photograph was selected for NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) on February 17, 2023, instantly exposing his work to millions of viewers worldwide. Major outlets including The New York Times, Futurism, and Study Finds reported on the event, crediting his specific capture of the meteor flash.

His reputation solidified further in September 2025 when his image of the 2023 CX1 impact story was highlighted in international science discussions regarding Earth's asteroid defenses. In January 2026, it was announced that he would be a featured photographer in the "Pursuit of Power" SWE Calendar for July 2026, a prestigious publication in the storm-chasing community. He continues to conduct webinars and portfolio reviews, such as his March 2026 webinar on thunderstorm photography, and serves as a judge or reviewer for Cameranu. His ability to combine technical precision with visual storytelling has made him a sought-after voice in the niche world of severe weather photography. [edit]

Gijs de Reijke projects an image of a quiet, scientifically-minded observer rather than a flashy celebrity. His social media presence is dedicated almost exclusively to his photography and the philosophy behind capturing nature's raw power. Fans admire his willingness to share educational content about storm chasing and his commitment to safety. His aesthetic is characterized by dark, moody skies and sharp, high-contrast details that highlight the violence and beauty of severe weather. He is viewed as a serious practitioner within the storm-chasing community, respected for his technical skill and scientific accuracy. [edit]

Gijs de Reijke operates within a specialized sphere where scientific documentation supersedes celebrity worship, resulting in a public profile defined by professional recognition rather than mass-market adulation. Unlike pop culture icons who command global rankings through widespread consumer engagement, De Reijke holds no current placement in the iFANN global fame index as of August 2026. The iFANN evaluation framework has not yet collected sufficient data to assign him a rank, reflecting his status as a respected specialist rather than a household name. His audience consists primarily of meteorologists, amateur astronomers, and photography enthusiasts who follow his work on niche platforms like 500px and Instagram, where he maintains a modest following of approximately 350 users. There is no formal fandom name associated with his career, nor are there organized fan campaigns, birthday tributes, or ritualistic gatherings dedicated to his persona. The community surrounding his work engages in educational discourse regarding storm safety and atmospheric physics rather than the performative support typical of entertainment figures. While his image of the 2023 CX1 asteroid fireball achieved international visibility through features on NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day and coverage by major news outlets, this exposure remained within the boundaries of science journalism. He does not possess a dedicated fanbase that organizes chart pushes, subway advertisements, or charity drives in his name. His professional footprint is limited to portfolio reviews and webinars for peers, confirming that his influence derives from the verifiable quality of his imagery rather than the mechanics of fame manufacturing. The absence of a ranked position in the global index underscores the reality that his contributions serve the scientific community first, leaving him outside the metrics used to measure broad cultural dominance.[edit]

Born in 1986, Gijs de Reijke balances his dual roles as a landscape photographer and geography teacher in the Netherlands. He first captured international attention on February 13, 2023, when he documented a fireball from asteroid 2023 CX1 over the Kampina nature reserve, an image subsequently featured on NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day. In June 2021, he recorded a dramatic lightning strike that severed a thick branch from an oak tree during a severe rear flank downdraft surge, an event now frequently cited in interviews regarding the unpredictability of storm dynamics. His contributions earned him the 'Publieksprijs Brabant in Beeld' (Public Prize of Brabant in Images) and a spot in the July 2026 issue of the Severe Weather Europe calendar under the title 'Pursuit of Power'. A persistent legend within his niche concerns the precise timing of his 2023 capture, where observers note he was positioned at the exact vantage point needed to record the asteroid's entry before it disintegrated, a feat that has become a benchmark for storm chasers. Another recurring tale involves his June 2021 documentation of the oak branch incident, which serves as a frequent case study in discussions about safety protocols. Unlike many who chase storms for spectacle, De Reijke often advocates for staying ahead of severe weather systems to ensure safety while capturing the event. Fans also recount his contribution to documenting spectacular Northern Lights displays visible across large parts of the Netherlands, where his high-resolution imagery helped verify the extent of the auroral activity.[edit]

Public information regarding Gijs de Reijke's family is extremely scarce. He does not publicly discuss parents, siblings, or children in interviews or social media posts. There are no credible reports of any high-profile relationships or marital status changes. He keeps his personal life separate from his public persona, focusing all attention on his work. Details about where he lives today beyond the general region of the Netherlands remain unconfirmed. [edit]

Severe-Weather.eu, NASA APOD, Krisztián Sárneczky, Cameranu[edit]

Public information regarding Gijs de Reijke's romantic history is extremely scarce. Unlike many public figures, he does not publicly discuss dating, engagements, marriages, or children in interviews or social media posts. There are no credible reports of any high-profile relationships, flings, or marital status changes. He maintains a personal Instagram account focused entirely on his photography and philosophy of nature, without mentioning a significant other. As of 2026, Gijs de Reijke is widely considered single or fiercely private regarding his relationship status. No partner has been named in any credible source. [edit]

As of 2026, there is no verified financial data or net worth estimate for Gijs de Reijke available from credible celebrity finance sources. Per iFANN's editorial analysis, the estimated value of Gijs de Reijke is $500 Thousand. His income is likely derived from photography sales and licensing fees, particularly for high-profile images like the 2023 CX1 meteor. Additional revenue streams include webinars and educational workshops, such as his March 2026 session on thunderstorm photography. He also earns from calendar features and book contributions. Without official disclosure, any specific net worth figure would be speculative. The estimated value reflects his steady income from niche photography markets and educational consulting rather than mainstream commercial endorsements.[edit]

While specific industry awards do not apply to his field, he has received notable recognition within the photography and meteorological communities. He won the public vote award for the Brabant in Beeld competition. Being selected as a featured photographer for the Severe Weather Europe calendar is a significant honour among storm chasers. Having his work selected for NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day is a major distinction in the scientific photography community. [edit]