Aerospace & Aviation Themed Senior Photos & Senior Pictures In Dayton Ohio
August 31, 2023
Special Access Aviation Senior Photos With The Air Force Thunderbirds In Dayton Ohio
In July 2023 many of my worlds collided. I started photographing aviation themed senior photos in Dayton. It started with was a once-in-a-lifetime Thunderbirds senior photo session behind the scenes. This happened after the close of the CenterPointe Dayton Air Show. I was contacted by a friend-of-a-friend to photograph his son, a senior at Bellbrook High School just south of Dayton Ohio. We discussed the upcoming senior session and how it would take place at the air show. I didn’t really understand how we’d get access to do this, but I trusted his judgment.
After the first day of the 2023 air show, I arrived on airport property just before 6. I grabbed my equipment while a group of friends was loaded onto a golf cart to head out onto the grounds. I rode with the senior who was to be photographed. As we made our way west through the static aircraft displays, I noticed the people on the golf cart were heading past security. At this point, I was getting very excited.
Approaching The Scene Before Thunderbirds Senior Photos
As we go closer, the United States Air Force Thunderbirds came into focus. We were heading past security and directly to these magnificent F-16s. We stopped just past Jet 1 and exited the truck. I was going to photograph this high school senior at my home airport 15 feet away from the Thunderbirds. I couldn’t believe it. The amazing crew for the Thunderbirds was in the post-routine cleanup phase while we were there. They were preparing the planes for the next day’s show and for the overnight rest.
The crew was so kind and accommodating, but I didn’t want to take time away from their jobs. One crew member, jet 1, asked if we wanted the canopy closed. Several others were close meaning there was no need for this to be close. Another crew member walked by and “no one else will have senior photos like these.” These are the most unique and special Thunderbirds senior photos I have ever taken or even seen. I am thankful to the senior, his parents, the people who made this possible, and the Thunderbirds. Check out more of my aviation photography here and more of my engagement photograph here.
Air Force Museum Senior Pictures With A Moeller High School Senior
Combining Two Photography Passions To Create Aviation Senior Photos
It is rare for me to combine two of my photography passions. These are senior photography and aviation photography. This combination allows me to create one-of-a-kind aviation senior photos. Early on an October Sunday morning, I met this Moeller High School senior and his mom. We created one-of-a-kind senior photos at Dayton’s Air For Museum. This talkative young man loves military aviation history and was by far the most knowledgeable senior when it came to aviation. We had a great senior portrait session at this Dayton museum.
Our Photography Plan
We had a plan to do 95% of the aviation senior photos in the WWII gallery. The remainder was to be done in the Cold War Gallery and in the Air Park outside. We started off with the P-51 Mustang and the Memphis Belle. Since I am one of the special events photographers at the museum, I was sharing my own cool stories about photographing these aircraft.
Creating Aviation Senior Photos
The museum’s low light makes photography challenging, so I always bring a remote light to illuminate my subject. Some aircraft can be tricky to photograph, but most work well. The planes hanging from the ceiling don’t work for senior photos, so tell your senior this ahead of time. It helps when the subject reviews the aircraft in advance. Since the museum is free, they can walk through beforehand to choose their favorite planes. During the session, we can combine their ideas with mine to create unique aviation-themed senior photos.
The Air Force Museum
The Air Force Museum is officially known as the National Museum Of The United States Air Force. As a kid, I went to the museum for field trips and with grown-ups. I never really liked it. Fast forward to becoming a professional aviation photographer, and now I go several times a year to create beautiful artful photos.
Air Force Museum Senior Portraits With An Anna High School Senior
Photographing An Anna High School Senior Pictures Session
In September 2024 I photographed my first-ever Air Force Museum Senior pictures for an Anna High School senior pictures session. She is interested in aerospace after high school, so the National Museum Of The United States Air Force was the perfect location for senior photos. She had several ideas for airplanes and satellites to photograph.
We started in the air park on the north side of the museum. After photographing under some of the large planes, we made our way inside. Since she wasn’t interested in the old planes, we spent most of our time in the fourth building. This houses the presidential aircraft and the most futuristic aircraft in the museum. I was able to pose her alongside shiny gold satellites.
Air Force Museum As A Senior Portrait Location
Getting to the museum at 9 AM, opening time is critical to having a successful portrait session. This museum gets busy every day, but at opening, the flow of people is slow. On this trip, we entered the museum at 9:15 and left at noon. While walking out, we had to dodge hundreds of visitors. If we had been trying to create senior portraits in this crowd, it would have taken twice as long. We’d constantly have to wait for people to walk by.
Combining Portraits And Aviation With Air Force Museum Senior Pictures
One thing that set this senior portrait session apart was her wardrobe. Her first two outfits were nice and stood out in front of these large aircraft. Once we reached the missile and rocket gallery, she changed into an all-white outfit, clear glasses, white shoes, and a reflective, silver puffy vest. The intention was to give a pseudo-astronaut vibe to the photos. This outfit was perfect as we made use of the missiles around us.
I love being a Dayton Ohio senior photographer. I love being a professional aviation photographer. And I love combining the two!
Dayton Air Show Senior Pictures Offer An Aviation-Themed Senior Photo Focus
Getting In Early Is The Key
A Columbus, Ohio parent hired me in 2025 to photograph her son’s senior pictures at the Dayton Air Show. Located at the Dayton International Airport, this air show draws around 75000 people per year. To create unique senior photos with an air show twist, we bypassed the main air show. His parent paid for both of us to get early entry with the air show photo pass. At 7 AM he and I walked through the air show gates with the grounds completely empty.
Having A Plan Helps Get The Best Air Show Senior Pictures
Ahead of the senior session, I asked his parent to have him look at the static display lineup. Creating senior pictures with an air show twist is so much easier when the high school senior has ideas. I am not into propeller planes, so I naturally gravitate to jets. If the senior doesn’t let me know his or her interests, I can’t tailor the session to be meet their needs. Fortunately, this senior told me what he was interested in, and we focus on photographing in front of those static aircraft.
Enjoying The Rest Of The Show
When you buy a photo pass to this air show, you are granted access to the entire show that day. You can choose to buy the pass and set up your seats to have the best view possible. I just use the pass to come in early and for the best parking. For those looking for a guaranteed, covered photo location, you can pay extra for the upgrade. It is roughly $100 for 1 day. I did this a few years ago, and for one year it was worth it.
As an aviation photographer and a senior pictures photographer, this session was amazing!
Top 5 Things I Love About Senior Pictures In Dayton
- There is always a new park or building to use for dynamic senior photos
- Getting to share amazing experiences with cool high school seniors (photographing with the Thunderbirds)
- Sharing my love of music and pop culture with the client and their parent
- Putting the student at ease to get natural expressions
- It is great talking about their future plans while capturing current images
Check out my other professional aviation photography. #AVgeek #AviationPhotographer
