Turnin’ and Burnin’: A Pro’s Guide to Air Show Photography

 Prop Blur and Sonic Booms: A High-Speed Guide to Air Show Photography

Blue Angels Flying Down in Formation From the Wild Blue Yonder | f/6.3; 1/2500; ISO 125 | Photo: TJ Waller

There is nothing quite like the roar of a jet engine and the smell of JP-8 in the morning. Air shows are a high-octane playground for photographers, but if you blink—or have the wrong settings—you're going to miss the shot of a lifetime. Whether you're heading to NAS JAX or the beach for a flyover, capturing these birds in flight requires a mix of patience, finesse, and the right technical approach.

The Gear: Precision Tools for Precision Flying

While you can technically snap a photo with a phone, decent isn't what we’re after. To get professional-grade keepers, you need the speed of a DSLR or mirrorless system. High frame rates (7 to 20+ FPS) and deep buffers are necessary to track a jet at Mach 1 without your camera locking up.

The Glass Matters: You can have a top-tier body, but "kit glass" will often struggle with the distance and clarity needed for these events. My go-to is my Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens. On a full-frame body, it gives me incredible reach, and I can always toggle into crop mode if I need to get even tighter. For the ground displays and wide formation shots, I keep a wide-angle (14-30mm) or a medium-range (35-150mm) lens handy on my other bodies.

Dialing in the Settings

Lighting at air shows is usually abundant, but the speed is the challenge. Here is how I break down the "math" of the shot:

For the Jets:

Speed is your best friend. I generally keep my shutter around 1/1000 - 1/2500. This is fast enough to freeze the action while keeping the ISO low (usually around 100–320 depending on the clouds).

• Pro Tip: Set your camera to Auto ISO and open your aperture wide (your smallest f-number). Let the camera handle the light fluctuations while you focus on tracking the target.

For the Props and Choppers:

Movie helicopter at NASA filming a movie | f/18; 1/320; ISO 110; EXP -0.3 | Photo: TJ Waller

If you shoot a propeller plane at 1/2500, the blades will look frozen in time, making the plane look like a plastic model hanging from a string. To show movement, you have to slow down.

• The Target: Aim for 1/250 to 1/320.

• The Trade-off: Slower shutters mean more light. To compensate and avoid "blowing out" the photo, close your aperture down to f/14 or f/18.

The "Stationary Pan" Trick

North American P-51 Mustang | 1/320, f/18, ISO 100 | Photo: TJ Waller

Tracking a P-51 Mustang at a slow shutter speed is a recipe for a blurry mess if you aren't careful. My secret? Don't pan with them. Instead, zoom out slightly so the plane doesn't fill the entire frame. Hold your camera rock-steady and let the aircraft fly through your viewfinder while you fire off a burst. It takes practice, but the "keeper rate" is much higher than trying to whip a long lens around manually.

Look for the "Wow" Moments

Turnin' and Burnin' | Major Kristin "BEO" Wolfe flying the F-35A Lightning II | 1/2500, f/5.6, ISO 125 | Photo: TJ Waller 

• Afterburners: Don't stop shooting once the jet passes you. The best "orange glow" from the afterburners often doesn't kick in until a few seconds after the pass.

• The "Cotton Ball": Everyone wants the sonic boom/sound barrier shot where the jet is encased in a vapor cone. This requires incredible target acquisition and a fast shutter. Keep your eyes peeled and your finger on the trigger!

Major Kristin "BEO" Wolfe reaching the sound barrier flying the F-35A Lightning | f/7.1; 1/2500; ISO 110; EXP -0.3 |
Photo: TJ Waller

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2026 Florida Air Show Schedule

To help you plan your "practice" and "pro" days, here are the dates for the 2026 season across the Sunshine State:

• Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo (Lakeland): April 14–19, 2026

• Fort Lauderdale Air Show: May 9–10, 2026

• Vero Beach Air Show (featuring the Blue Angels): May 15–17, 2026

• Hyundai Air & Sea Show (Miami Beach): May 23–24, 2026

• Pensacola Beach Air Show (Red, White & Blues Week): July 15–18, 2026

• NAS JAX Air Show (Jacksonville): October 17–18, 2026

• Blue Angels Homecoming (NAS Pensacola): November 6–7, 2026

• Florida International Air Show (Punta Gorda): November 7–8, 2026

• Stuart Air Show: November 13–15, 2026

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Let’s Hit the Flight Line Together!

Always the crowd pleaser, Major Kristin "BEO" Wolfe waves after her flight | 1/2500, f/5, ISO 140 | Photo: TJ Waller

Reading about it is one thing, but hearing the roar and feeling the vibration while trying to find your focus is another animal entirely. If you want to skip the trial-and-error phase, I offer personalized photography classes tailored to your skill level.

Even better, you can hire me to attend an air show with you! I’ll be your 1-on-1 "wingman" on the flight line, helping you dial in your settings in real-time so you go home with a memory card full of "wow" shots instead of blurry "maybes."

Check out my Classes Page or shoot me a message to book your spot for the 2026 season.

Don’t let these dates fly under your radar! Be sure to bookmark this page right now — that way, you’ve got the full 2026 Florida schedule in your pocket whenever you're ready to head to the flight line. And SUBSCRIBE so that you won't miss any of my photography tips, tricks and instructional articles.

What’s your biggest struggle?

I want to hear from you! Are you having trouble with prop blur, or is "target acquisition" the thing that keeps you up at night? Drop a comment below with your biggest air show challenge or share a link to your favorite shot. Let's talk shop!

About the Author

TJ Waller - With over 50 years behind the lens, TJ is recognized as one of the elite action photographers in Florida and the nation, specializing in capturing the intensity of professional sports, rocket launches, and frontline environmental reporting.

He also operates specialized workshops for photographers looking to master the art of action photography. Visit TJ at his website at TJWallerPhotography.com.

If you are in need of a highly skilled and experienced freelance action photographer who can capture the essence of any fast-paced event, TJ is confident that his expertise and dedication will make him a valuable asset to your team.