what plane?? I can’t see it…it must be in “stealth mode”

(can you imagine the stories these men have to tell if we sit down and listen?)

(1 dixie cup coming up!)

Wait until I start shooting! As Chris Baylor says about me; “you’re just a girl that can wield a 400mm lens like the witchblade attached to a Canon.” Yes I can hand hold a 400mm lens…NO WIMPS! I carry my own gear (but if you offer to carry it..I’m not stupid…I will hand it over). Yes, the camera had a “pretty strap” and I carry a shoot sac. This is helps with the sneak attack! (I’ve seen Bob Ferguson, a Boeing photographer carry a shoot sac too!)

A touch of gold.

Sure I am not at Oshkosh right now…does that make me less of an aviation photographer? No. It makes me one who had to make choices this year. Do I know I need to start planning for next year, NOW? Yes. Does the hotel I am looking at take reservation right now for next year? No. Just because you shoot for EAA and The Smithsonian (I would love to shoot for both of them!) doesn’t make you all knowing. Great I’ve taken your advice…thank you, I do appreciate it. I’ve been shooting for 3 years and you have been shooting for many more. Thank you. Now stop, your belittling me…only pisses me off. YOUR WAY IS NOT THE ONLY WAY!

I’ve driven Route 66, was part of a balloon crew at Abq Balloon Fiesta, moved half way across the country (4 times) with less than a week notice, and play with the big boys on a football field. I can hold my own. AirVenture doesn’t scare me….so stop telling me I won’t make it, I’ll get blisters (Did someone not wear the right shoes?), I won’t be able carry around 40lbs of gear (says who?!) (okay maybe I won’t being the shoot sac) YES I KNOW IT IS HUGE!!! I KNOW I WON’T SEE EVERYTHING!! Why in the heck would I try!?!? I WILL MAKE IT. If I get blisters, fine, it wont be the 1st time, and it wont be the last. 40lbs of gear….thats all??? lol.

Oh…they aren’t air horns?

Oh and yes, my husband is in the aviation industry, and has always wanted to go to Oshkosh. Will he be able too? Doubtfully, because it lands during his busy season. But if WE go…cool. If I go, I will go. Just because my husband happens to be running around the field doesn’t mean I’m not a serious photographer. It just makes me a serious photographer with a husband who also loves aviation. Will we get in each others way…I highly doubt it. Why? We don’t anywhere else. If there is a camera near, Jason will not be near. I would be there to do a job….he would be there to drool over aircraft (don’t worry…if he drools on yours, you can make him clean up after himself)

G-IIB + Hobby Airport

Now you are telling me big deals get done there?? Okay…..sweet! (when it’s implied I can’t shoot a job because I am a married woman…I get confused and upset…Jason can take care of himself, like I can take care of myself.) Now you go on with, “No not just fine art prints”. Okay…awesome! Oh that’s right it doesnt matter since, I’m not a serious photographer. WRONG. I AM A SERIOUS PHOTOGRAPHER. I AM SERIOUS ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHING AIRCRAFT. I’ll photograph the A380, a vintage warbird, a homebuilt, or a Gulfstream. Does it fly, or did it used to fly? Cool! Sign me up! I photograph planes from my point of view. Is it the way most photograph them? NO. Is that okay with me? HECK YEAH! Do magazines, and air teams like my work…they say they do…I think and hope they are warming up to my unique style. I can’t help that I see a plane as a piece of art that flies, not just a machine.

Props in the morning sun.

So boys…the next time you are photographing an air show, the girl next to you may not be a “stupid girl”…she maybe a girl who also know the only airworthy B-29 Superfortress “Fifi”, will eventually live down the street from her, thanks to Jim Cavanaugh! Watch out she also knows how to use that 400mm lens!

Many of my fellow aviation photographers are counting down the days to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh (19 days?), I will be missing it this year.  I hope to be there next year taking pictures for a media outlet. Here are some of my favorite images of aircraft to tie you over.

Warbirds:

Gulfstream IIB at Houston Hobby Airport:

Gulfstream V at Dallas Love Field:

Have a great time at Oshkosh and many soft landings!