Airplane locations?

[KaseyLynn]

I have a couple who wants their photos taken at a small airport with some airplanes. I've seen this done before, but am wondering if anyone here knows of a place in Houston that allows this? Any info or advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[LEO III]

How soon do you need to know? Exactly what types of shots are they wanting?

I believe Hooks is pretty photographer friendly, but I'll have to check with some guys that know more than I do about it. I'll be seeing them Saturday. Also, there is the 1940 Air Terminal Museum at Hobby, and the Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston.

[KaseyLynn]

We're looking at the first weekend in April, so I definitely have some time to research places and set this up. After talking to her more today, she's wanting to do her bridals there so it would mostly be stuff next to a plane, not inside the plane. And maybe some stuff on a runway if possible.

[snydersnapshots]

Kasey, Hooks would be the best option locally. I don't know whether you're looking for a small airplane in general or something older like a "warbird". The best place to start is by going to one or more of the flight schools and talking to the owner or the chief instructor. Tell them what you want to do and what you're looking for and I'm sure they could put you in touch with the right people.

This probably goes without saying, but whatever you do, DO NOT just take your client out, find an airplane tied down, and start taking pictures without getting permission from the owner. When you find an airplane, my guess is the owner will probably want to be there while you're shooting, since stepping in the wrong place or grabbing the wrong thing on an airplane can cost many hundreds or thousands of dollars to repair.

If you do find someone willing to let you take photos next to the airplane without him or her there, have them take you to the airplane and show you where on it you can stand and what NOT to grab or touch. One thing I'll say up front is do NOT move the propeller. For liability reasons, I wouldn't advise shooting by an airplane without the owner or his/her representative nearby. Call me paranoid, but if someone damaged the airplane after you were done, then they might try to hold you liable.

If you're looking for something more exotic to shoot next to, the Commemorative Air Force keeps a B-17 based at Hooks. You could look for contact info on their website. Of course, the museum at Galveston is also an option for more exotic airplanes as well.

I think you'll find most of the folks involved in general aviation friendly and willing to help.

[Tim-in-TX]

I was thinking about the Airport museum as well. I know they have events every month including fly-ins, you might make a connection there with a plane owner.
The 1940 Air Terminal Museum - 713-454-1940

[LEO III]

Kasey, I know there was an engagement session shot at the 1940 ATM after the October Wings and Wheels. They used the museum's Lockheed 18-56 Lodestar (Lockheed Lodestar - N31G) and Cessna T-50 Bobcat (Photo Search Results | Airliners.net). Both are very photogenic planes. Don't know if your couple would go for these, but you can ask them.

For more information, call the museum administrator, Megan Lickliter-Mundon, at 713-454-1940.

Wings and Wheels occurs the third Saturday of each month, and this Saturday is the day, so you might want to come on down and check out the museum and the planes. One or both planes might be out on the ramp Saturday, but if they aren't, I'm sure Megan would get one of the volunteers to take you down to the hangar to look at them.

[KaseyLynn]

Thanks for the information. I will definitely look into both the Air Terminal Museum and Hooks.

Ken, I will most definitely get permission before taking my couple out and start photographing around planes.

Appreciate all the info. Thanks again! =)

[snydersnapshots]

Originally Posted by KaseyLynn

Ken, I will most definitely get permission before taking my couple out and start photographing around planes.

Kasey, I figured you would, but I wanted to throw it in just in case.

I checked out your website. You do beautiful work!

[KaseyLynn]

Originally Posted by snydersnapshots

Kasey, I figured you would, but I wanted to throw it in just in case.

I checked out your website. You do beautiful work!

Thanks! :)