Professional Aviation Photographer In Dayton Ohio

In June 2022 I was honored to photograph the Spirit of Benovia (Tail #N8336C), “Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber (Tail #N47SJ), and “121” (Tail #N18121) at the National Museum Of The United States Air Force in Dayton Ohio. This was a beautiful summer day that featured several flyovers and a landing on the east/west runway at the Air Force Museum. As a bonus, I was able to photograph inside one of these vintage aircraft.

The Space Shuttle Discovery at the National Air And Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport in Virginia is the single best aviation museum exhibit. It sits in a wing of the museum that sets it apart from other aircraft. I had to wait and wait some more to capture the images below where the room was empty.

I visited the National Air And Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport in Virginia in 2022. I was blown away by the scope of aircraft this aviation museum has in its collection. One of the coolest aircraft in the Smithsonian’s collection has to be an Air France Concorde supersonic jet.

Every few years a big event happens at Dayton’s National Museum Of The United States Air Force. In 2022 I photographed a KC-135R’s final flight. On a cool Saturday morning, this aircraft refueler made one final fly by before coming in for its final landing. There was one other photographer shooting for the museum.

On April 27, 2022, I photographed a dual C-47 military aircraft fly-in at the National Museum Of The United States Air Force. The Tico Belle And The Placid Lassie are historic aircraft that participated in 1944’s D-Day over Normandy, France. Along with several flyovers that day, 20 or so paratroopers parachuted out of the planes onto Historic Wright Field in Dayton Ohio.

For many years, I have lived 10 minutes from a historic landmark without ever visiting. Finally, in April 2022, I visited the Huffman Prairie Flying Field where the Wright Brothers perfected the first practical airplane. This is a beautiful flat field in Fairborn Ohio up against the property of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton Ohio. This is a must-do for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs.

I take every opportunity to photograph aircraft of any kind. In February 2022 I went to John Glenn Columbus International Airport to pick up a family member. I arrived an hour early and parked at the top of the parking garage. As a Southwest 737 Max landed, I captured the landing and taxiing of the aircraft. I also photographed CMH from angles not normally seen. All of my aviation photography is done legally without trespassing.

One of my photography dreams came true in February 2022 when I visited Tucson Arizona. While driving around this amazing desert city, I discovered that the United States military’s aircraft boneyard was right in front of me. I could not believe that thousands of mothballed aircraft were just yards away from me. I drove down every street, alley, and parking lot I could to get as close as I legally could to the aircraft. The aircraft boneyard in Tucson offers tours, but I didn’t know about them until I had returned home. The aviation photography images below were taken legally without crossing any fences, barriers, or warning signs. Next time I visit Tucson, I’ll be touring this amazing aviation photography location.

At the 2021 CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show, I captured all aspects of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team. I love aviation photography, especially when it is in my hometown. I am so happy with these Thunderbirds photos, both static and in motion.

After a year of working with the great people at the 445th Airlift Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, I was able to get on base to photograph the C-17 Globemaster III. We worked around their “locals” schedule to ensure I would get to photograph at least one takeoff from the west side of the runway. Our plan worked perfectly as there were several C-17 aircraft were parked on the tarmac. Just before the top of the hour, one of the C-17s taxied to the south end of the runway. A few minutes later, this giant transport plane lifted off directly in front of me. This was an awesome experience!