Beating the Heat: A Midday Aviation Photoshoot at KGKY, Arlington Municipal Airport
Whew, Texas summers are no joke, right? Especially when you're doing what you love – capturing incredible moments with planes! We recently had a fantastic, a bit toasty, photoshoot with the lovely Lora at Arlington Municipal Airport (KGKY), and let me tell you, it was a masterclass in making the most of a quick, last-minute session.
What started as a simple headshot idea quickly turned into a full-blown aviation modeling shoot thanks to Lora's awesome outfit and her friend's great suggestion. We were working with a Cessna 182 in a hangar with the doors closed, and with the mercury hitting a scorching 95 degrees by 2 PM, it felt like an oven in there! (And it's only June, folks – it's only going to get hotter!)
Minimalist Gear, Maximum Impact
This shoot was all about being nimble. I only had my Canon R5 with the 24-105mm f/4 kit lens and a ring light on hand. Talk about a minimalist setup! To keep things consistent, I set the ring light to 4200 Kelvin and matched my camera's white balance.
Now, I'm already eyeing that "nifty 50" (the 50mm f/1.8 lens) for future shoots – we all know how those gear expenses add up, but a prime lens for that sweet depth of field is definitely on the wish list! Even with the kit lens, I found myself zooming in, largely staying in that 50-85mm focal range, to get that beautiful background blur. My settings were pretty consistent: a shutter speed of 1/125, an aperture of f/4, and an ISO up to 1000, all shot on a tripod with a 2-second timer.
Staying Cool (Literally!)
One of the biggest takeaways from past shoots, especially in the Texas heat, is to keep your model in the AC for as long as possible. Comfort is key! I made sure Lora had extra paper towels to dab away any sweat as we went. It sounds simple, but those little touches make a huge difference in keeping your model happy and looking their best.
The great thing about shooting in a hangar? You control the lighting! The downside? As we experienced, it can turn into an oven. This highlights the benefit of planning hangar shoots during the cooler winter months here in Texas.
With the hangar lights off, my ring light at 100% intensity was our sole light source. I had to move it pretty close to Lora to get the right exposure and highlight her beautifully. Having her friend hold the ring light when needed was a lifesaver – teamwork makes the dream work!
Posing Perfection with a Purpose
We explored a range of poses designed to highlight both Lora and the awesome Cessna. We tried:
A quarter 45° shot of the airplane with Lora centered.
A straight-on front shot with her next to the prop.
Standing between the horizontal stabilizer and the empennage.
On the other side of the empennage for shoulders-up shots.
And of course, inside the cockpit with her sitting in it.
These poses are all about accentuating the aircraft's details while making your model the star. It's a lot like how car shoots are done, and small general aviation airplanes fit right into that same category!
Pro Tips for Aviation Photographers
Here are a couple of crucial pro tips for your next aviation photoshoot:
Safety First (Always!): This is crucial for any pilot, and it should be for photographers, too. Always double-check that the keys are out and the magnetos are OFF before you get anywhere near the propeller. You do not want to start the plane and risk your model's safety accidentally.
Light Up That Cockpit: If you're shooting a glass cockpit (like a G1000), turn it on! It looks so much better when it's lit up and vibrant. For steam gauge cockpits, try using the interior lighting to make it look inviting.
The Wrap-Up
Overall, it was a fantastic shoot that only lasted about 30 minutes, yielding around 50 great pictures. Lora was an amazing model, and we're already excited for the next one. Maybe some aerial shots next time? Stay tuned!
Ready to capture your stunning aviation photos, or curious about setting up a unique photoshoot with a general aviation aircraft? Takeoff Media Partners specializes in creating captivating imagery for aviation brands, influencers, flight schools, and charter operations.
