...Completely Different.
As I type this, I'm 4 weddings behind posting here on xanga.
The images have been delivered to their owners, and each photo
has been processed, the only thing remaining is posting them
here, for your enjoyment!
But alas... I had an amazing weekend, and I think it's time
to break stride... To share some very different photos from my
norm, and to show that I still very much enjoy my life in aviation,
and the joy of taking photos purely for fun 
Without further ado... I give you:
The 2007 Miramar Airshow!!
Years ago, I began my writing career at a small aviation magazine
based in Central Florida. I quickly moved from a writer, to an editor,
and ended up as the advertising editor by age 17.
At the time my life was an absolute flurry of activity, and over the space
of that year, I'd moved on, and my interests starting centering on marketing
and photography.... One thing that stayed with me though, was my media
credentials... And they've constantly been a blessing!!
The process often starts the same way; I decide to travel to some big event...
Conference, Airshow, Sports Game, Auto Show, Race, or the like. I submit
my credentials for approval and the dance begins.
First, they prove that I'm not a stalker, racist, or rapist, then they make sure
I really intend to get my work published, and finally they graciously give me
and my team the "star treatment". It's handy!!
That said, I must admit that working with the Military is different... And if
you ever are in a position of needing something, I recommend offering lots
of free beer 
For some reason Marines respond well to that, haha.
Bribes aside, this past weekend I was able to offer a truly unique opportunity
to my dear friends Matthew Saville, Mary, and Brianna. By the grace of God,
and a few truly friendly Marines, they were able to join me in the media tent,
and were offered full press passes for the day.
Better yet, because of the relationships I'd struck up in the weeks previous, we
were offered some TRULY remarkable opportunities that no other members
of the media were afforded!
More on that later though
We left early... My I shook myself awake at 4:50AM, and we made the drive
South smoothly, even through all the rain, and arrived safely at around 7AM.
You won't mind if I jump right into pictures now, will you? 
"Set The Mood"
For some reason, most of the photos I shot left me with the same
giddy, but sepia toned mood... The clouds throughout the day improved,
and made for some incredible drama in the shots.... But you'll see what I
mean as you look through this post 
This giant image is actually an 8 image stitch..... Click Here to see it much larger,
the way it should be seen [if you are a dial up user, don't even think about it though!]
After hurrying about, shooting all the same static displays that everyone had access to,
I made a quick run back to the Media "chalet" to find out if I could convince them to
let me into the restricted area.
A particularly adventuresome Corporal said "Well, if the men with guns don't stop us,
we'll be okay... Let's try it!"
Corporal Taylor
After picking up the rest of the gang, we headed into the restricted
area.... And were immediately greeted by some of the heroes of my
youth. The Red Baron Pizza Flying Squadron!!
I got to hang out with the lead pilot for a bit, and he ended up giving
me his card, and a ballcap... Look for potential in flight photos with
them sometime in December or January
From the Barons, we made our way down through a massive hangar
filled with all the civilian airshow performers and I was able to capture
some really unique portraits of them as they were preparing for their
routines... Such a cool experience!
But then.... It was on to the closed of... "RESTRICTED" side of the
hangar... The place where Skunk Works pride and joy was resting.
The F-117 Stealth Fighter.
Our guide warned us that we may not be able to get close to it at all,
and I prepared myself to be led away by Marines with M-16's, but
pushed on until I'd walked to with in a few feet, smiling at the guards
and quickly switching lenses.
The Piercing Eyes Of A Pilot.
There's just something about the eyes of a pilot... Piercing, yet
somehow filled with a realization of beauty. As a pilot myself,
I understand the reasons yet I'm always fascinated by them.
A true appreciation for Glory, I suppose.
"Business End"
Just after we arrived, the team began pulling the Stealth out to prep
it for it's airshow run. That's where things got interesting...
Shortly after I snapped the shot above, I moved even closer.
Catching shot after shot as the pilot began his pre-flight checks.
Suddenly, one of the guards stopped me and ordered me away
"Twenty Feet Back... NOW!!"
I obeyed in a hurry!
But then I captured this image:
Worth it I think
After the F-117 was under it's own power, we started heading back
to the golf cart we'd been driven in on (did I mention that it surely is
nice to be a member of the press?).
But we didn't make it far before our guide stopped to take a closer
look at the OTHER F-117 they had there... Or rather, a closer "smell".
"Smells Like Wow"
He was priceless, lol.
With over 2,000 photos taken Saturday, I'm sad to say that
there is just no way to get them all uploaded here, and summarily
I'll have to jump around a bit.
Why don't we move on to the airshow?
"The Shockwave"
Powered by three enormous jet engines this Peterbuilt
Semi Truck is capable of nearly 400 MPH... So much fun to watch!
(I'm going to try for a ride soon
"Grace"
After a coordinated invasion of the main runway, the Marines involved
went along the flight line to shake the hands of all those assembled.
It was such a blessing to see true patriotism in the eyes of these men, and
in those who gripped their hands and thanked them for all they've done
and will do.
"Set Apart"
"I Want One"
You know what's funny about me?
As a wedding photographer, I just cannot get enough of taking
pictures of people.. I love to try to capture a bit of their personality,
their joy, their intensity... All of it.
Even when I'm just supposed to be shooting an airshow, haha
"Vet"
"Interesting Tidbit"
When an aircraft pulls high G's or is close to going supersonic, it produces
a unique billowy mist from certain parts of it's airframe. The F-18 has a truly
unique signature, and is often photographed because of it.... But this was the
first time I'd ever seen a rainbow in the mist... Wow!
"Highspeed Rainbow"
"Stunning"
Sean Tucker is one of my all time favorite pilots, he is a
master in the sky and is a fantastic showman as well. Really cool
"World's Smallest Loop"
Up next was the Red Baron Squadron...
Check this out!
I love the shadows in the clouds that their planes cast... Too cool!
And then?
It was on to the Thunderbirds
I have a TON of photos, but here's two of my favorites.
"Timing"
"Break Away"
After the Thunderbirds Bri and I made a break for the car
to back up images and pick up some more camera gear for the night show.
On the ride there (again, golf carts and media credentials are worth their weight
in gold I snapped this shot:
"Details"
Later....
"I'll Fly Away... Oh Glory."
"Matthew Saville"
As the night wore on, the crowd waited in anticipation of
fireworks and the famous "Wall of Fire" (See Matt's site for
great pictures of that one soon)
"Anticipation"
But first, the Jet Truck had to make another run....
Here's what that looks like at night with a 3 minute exposure.
(The yellow white line in the middle is the afterburners from the truck )
And now, my post must end so I bid you goodnight with this
exposure of one part of the "Wall of Fire"... That's Matt just to my right
What a fun day!
After shooting for nearly 16 hours straight we packed up and
headed back North to Laguna Beach. Did I mention that I moved here?
More on that later
P.S. Help me out, would ya?
Which was your favorite image today? I'm getting
a few printed for my new place and I need *YOUR* help!
Thanks
______________________________________________________
All of these images *ARE* available for sale in print, or digital form.
For more information, browse the full gallery at:
http://blueshoephoto.smugmug.com/gallery/3646797
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