Does anyone have any ideas as to how to get into air to air aviation photography?

vanislandguy · Mar 31, 2024

Hi all. My name is Franco. Am a west coast BC born 53 Italian, Spanish gent living here on Van. Island. I have a huge dream and interest getting into air to air aviation photography at my later age in life. Possibly making it a career to finalize my life with. Especially here on Vancouver Island. Again, I live mid to north Island. I have some decent photographic gear I can use. Still, nothing special. A couple of 7D mk1's and a few decent lenses. Am buying new gear soon. I'm not a professional but a hobbyist. Are there any pilots, individuals or groups of people out there who are interested in the same thing willing to help me achieve my dream? I enjoy meeting like minded individuals who love photography and aviation and taking action shots photos of planes and helicopters in an air to air setting. I would be happy to go over my details with you. I can also provide free photos for you. I'm just trying to add photos to my portfolio. Right now I only have a basic social media page with postings of my work. Its ok but just the tip of the iceberg as they say. Thank you

Pieter12 · Mar 31, 2024

A shot in the dark here. Hang out at a local small airport and try to make friends with the pilots. Offer to pay for fuel & fees to hitch a ride. You might have to start by hiring a plane to shoot some sample shots to get started. Air-to-air can be tricky, not many pilots will take the risk of flying close enough for a decent shot, and of course, everyone has to be on the same page, permission may have to be obtained from the authorities depending on where you are.

MattKing · Apr 1, 2024

I would check around the Comox area for pilots, given the airfield there.

bernard_L · Apr 1, 2024

Air to air... Beware of cowboy pilots. Read about the promotional photo session organized by General Electric around the B-70 Walkyrie and how it ended. Closer, closer... To be fair, in that case, it was the "artistic director", not the pilots, who caused the accident.

VinceInMT · Apr 1, 2024

One of the photographers for our local paper, Larry Mayer, is also a pilot and has done lots of photos from the air. He received lots of attention last year with his photos of the “Chinese spy balloon.” Here’s an interview.

https://www.ypradio.org/regional-ne...loon-photographers-reflect-on-historic-images

His contact information is on the paper’s site:

https://billingsgazette.com/contact/staff/

Andrew O'Neill · Apr 1, 2024

Welcome to Photrio. If all else fails, there's always drone photography!

vanislandguy · Apr 1, 2024

Thank you. Thanks all for the informative replies. I have tried just about everything I can image to get started within this genre of photography. If I was young again, I would consider getting my pilots licence too.

Perhaps I'm asking the wrong question here. Maybe being a little more direct might help my odds. Do any of you local Van. Island fine folks know of a pilot that might be able to help me out? I mean an individual who you know personally that can help? If someone did take me up, I would be happy to help with fuel costs. A few years ago, I saw a group of Piper Cubs flying together, heading towards Alaska. Dogs and all together with all their outdoor gear.

Again, I'm extremely focused as I'm not getting younger. I'm just looking to add some photos towards a new portfolio. Hoping to gain some recognition. Maybe getting a job here and there. I'm getting older now and have lower back issues. Early Jan this year I developed a herniated lower back issue. I'm 99% back to normal but want to shy away from my day to day hard physical manual job. If you know anything about lower back issues, it's a daily struggle. Hence why I'm turning a corner in the career department.

If you can think of anything else I would appreciate that. Many thanks to all. F

Daniela · Apr 1, 2024

How about joining an aviation-related forum first? That way, you'd get direct contact with people in that field and pertinent information on how to best go about approaching pilots/other professionals.
Good luck! What an exciting venture!

vanislandguy · Apr 1, 2024

Thank you Daniela. Yes, a great suggestion indeed. I will pursue this today. Many thanks again.

GregY · Apr 1, 2024

Good Luck with your project. Shooting air-to-air in small planes is difficult due to small windows and struts in the way. Most great photographs are taken on assignment or by talented individuals in the business, in the course of their work. Although it's a great dream, it's not easy to accomplish, primarily due to cost.
I worked as a professional mountain guide for 30+ years and had great opportunities to photograph. Especially air-to-air work is tricky as an amateur.... How do you predict what you'll be able to photograph? Time is money. In the 3rd attached photo with 3 Bell 212 helicopters on the job (2 in the photo and I'm in the 3rd).... the flight cost at the time was $10,000/hr.
Getting a pilots license may be a good way to go. Best of luck! You've had some good suggestions so far.

MattKing · Apr 1, 2024

These folks might have the necessary contacts: https://bcam.net/

Pieter12 · Apr 1, 2024

bernard_L said:
Air to air... Beware of cowboy pilots. Read about the promotional photo session organized by General Electric around the B-70 Walkyrie and how it ended. Closer, closer... To be fair, in that case, it was the "artistic director", not the pilots, who caused the accident.

The research I have done does not lead to the conclusion that the "artistic director" was at fault for the terrible XB-70 crash. Rather, "In the subsequent crash investigation four officers are implicated in the circumstances surrounding the accident: Col. Joe Cotton, who was sitting back seat in the T-38 during the crash flight, was one. Albert M. Cates Director of Systems Test at the Air Force Flight Test Center was another. Two public affairs and media officers at Edwards Air Force Base, Lt. Col. James G. Smith and Chief of Media Relations Lt. Bill Campbell were included in the inquest for allowing the photo shoot to proceed."

On board Clay Lacy's Lear Jet after an air-to-air shoot (not as the photographer!)

vanislandguy · Apr 1, 2024

Very nice Greg Y and Matt King. Amazing. Thanks for the informative input. Its funny when you have no experience its hard to break into the biz. Once you're in and acknowledged it looks like one can make a go at it. Its the start that determines the future it seems. My old friend was a photojournalist for the Comox Valley newspaper. He showed me some time ago photos he took of a flight acrobatic flight team inside the cockpit. A ride along. Some guys get all the luck.

BrianShaw · Apr 1, 2024

Pieter12 said:
The research I have done does not lead to the conclusion that the "artistic director" was at fault for the terrible XB-70 crash. Rather, "In the subsequent crash investigation four officers are implicated in the circumstances surrounding the accident: Col. Joe Cotton, who was sitting back seat in the T-38 during the crash flight, was one. Albert M. Cates Director of Systems Test at the Air Force Flight Test Center was another. Two public affairs and media officers at Edwards Air Force Base, Lt. Col. James G. Smith and Chief of Media Relations Lt. Bill Campbell were included in the inquest for allowing the photo shoot to proceed."

On board Clay Lacy's Lear Jet after an air-to-air shoot (not as the photographer!)
View attachment 367112

Plus, the XB-70 incident was said to have happened after the photo session had ended. There were both pilot visibility and turbulence issues identified in the report, as well as the negligence you mentioned.

Saw the remaining Valkerie many times. It’s a huge and awesome aircraft.

Clay Lacy was a fixture at VNY. Maybe still is. You were very fortunate to have that experience!

mfagan · Apr 1, 2024

I was a pilot for many years; and a group of pilots I was with met one Saturday each month to fly formation to somewhere for breakfast and back. Anytime someone would run into someone who wanted to come along and take pictures, they were always welcomed (we wanted copies, of course --- they were always digital). One time, a retired National Geographic photographer came along. No money ever changed hands -- that was our hobby. I think general aviation pilots are always friendly to anyone who is interested in aviation. I sold my plane in 2014; but my advice today to someone far away from me, as you are, would be to start with the airport nearest you, find the fixed base operator (FBO) -- the business that sells aviation fuel at an airport -- and ask the manager if he/she's aware of any groups of pilots who meet up to fly formation -- and when they typically fly. Maybe give your contact info to the manager if he can help. If the airport has a restaurant that sells breakfast, even better. Also, on Saturdays, maybe look for planes that look like the same type (two or three Bonanzas, for example) parked next to each other, and the pilots seem to know each other.

Regarding cowboy pilots and mid-airs, we didn't have ejection seats, so we were not interested in pushing it!

Pieter12 · Apr 1, 2024

Image stabilization will be your friend, as well as a rubber lens hood so you don’t scratch the airplane’s window. Although it can be quite thrilling to shoot through an open cargo hatch if you’re strapped in. Shooting from a helicopter is cool, too, but most of those shots can easily be made with a drone today.

vanislandguy · Apr 1, 2024

mfagan said:
I was a pilot for many years; and a group of pilots I was with met one Saturday each month to fly formation to somewhere for breakfast and back. Anytime someone would run into someone who wanted to come along and take pictures, they were always welcomed (we wanted copies, of course --- they were always digital). One time, a retired National Geographic photographer came along. No money ever changed hands -- that was our hobby. I think general aviation pilots are always friendly to anyone who is interested in aviation. I sold my plane in 2014; but my advice today to someone far away from me, as you are, would be to start with the airport nearest you, find the fixed base operator (FBO) -- the business that sells aviation fuel at an airport -- and ask the manager if he/she's aware of any groups of pilots who meet up to fly formation -- and when they typically fly. Maybe give your contact info to the manager if he can help. If the airport has a restaurant that sells breakfast, even better. Also, on Saturdays, maybe look for planes that look like the same type (two or three Bonanzas, for example) parked next to each other, and the pilots seem to know each other.

Regarding cowboy pilots and mid-airs, we didn't have ejection seats, so we were not interested in pushing it!

Many thanks. Very good suggestions. I very much appreciate your detailed input. F

vanislandguy · Apr 1, 2024

Pieter12 said:
Image stabilization will be your friend, as well as a rubber lens hood so you don’t scratch the airplane’s window. Although it can be quite thrilling to shoot through an open cargo hatch if you’re strapped in. Shooting from a helicopter is cool, too, but most of those shots can easily be made with a drone today.

I have been looking for one. Money is tight right now. As soon as I find a local seller I hope to. My lenses are not stabilized but maybe a possible purchase if I get next to next step. Thanks also for advice. Well said. F

Arthurwg · Apr 1, 2024

There's a guy here who does fabulous photos from an Ultralight.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how to get into air to air aviation photography?

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Does anyone have any ideas as to how to get into air to air aviation photography?

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