Each year, Warbird Adventures hosts a special event in South Carolina just for content creators. This photo event at the American Dream Skyranch is incredible.
If you want to attend the next event, it will be held Sep 27-29. Join this private Facebook group, where organizers will update details all about it
Thom Richard – warbird pilot extraordinaire
The American Dream Skyranch is a little slice of heaven that world-renowned warbird pilot and flight instructor Thom Richard calls home.
He’s one of the most skilled and experienced warbird pilots in the world, performing at air shows around the eastern half of the U.S. every year. He owns several aircraft, including WWII T-6 trainers and a true WWII combat veteran P-40 Warhawk (restored into a 2-seater with dual controls).
Richard also understands the value of producing quality content, to help promote aviation and keep history alive. How many of you were inspired by photos and videos as kids? Or even today? I sure was, and I’ve made a whole career doing it.
More people see the content than attendance at air shows nationwide combined. Content creators directly drive air show ticket sales, and donations to various museums and non-profits. A single social media post or YouTube video may get millions of views.
A photo event for photographers, by photographers
After working together for many years, Richard approached me with an idea to host a photo event, to give photographers from all backgrounds and experience an opportunity to photograph warbirds in ways most air shows can’t.
Working with fellow aviation photographer pro Ricardo Von Puttkammer, the three of us began planning, and held our first 3-day photo event in 2023.
To say it was a success is an understatement. A year later attendees were still talking about it. It’s much more than unique photo ops on private property with airspace waivers.
Family-friendly experience that offers a LOT more than cool photo ops
Attendees can stay at local hotels, or camp in shaded tents, or even bring their RVs and campers. Pilots are allowed to fly-in as well, as long as Richard gives the ok (not all planes can safely land on the grass runway).
People can bring their families and dogs, go fishing, swimming, exploring, and enjoy food, campfires, drinks, games, music, make new friends and more.
The networking opportunities alone are worth their weight in gold. There is also a gun range, and attendees are free to bring their off road vehicles.
Aerobrew Coffee kept everyone fueled. A huge thanks to them for supporting the event and all involved. Definitely check them out and place your orders!
Dinner is catered on the main day, which is always day 2, with singing by Theresa Eaman. It’s the perfect way to relax after a long hot busy day, and recharge for a night of more photography ahead. Hire her for your events!
The flying and photography, up-close and personal
In between all of it is, of course, epic flying. The photographers are brought into the box, under expert guidance, with flying done just for them. It’s all up-close and personal.
The treeline background also provides for some fantastic slow-shutter panning, allowing photogs to blur the backgrounds and give a sense of the speed of the aircraft.
Elevated platforms are provided for those who want a higher view above the ground. Photogs have free rein to shoot where they want and move around, as long as they stay behind safety perimeters for taxi, takeoff and landings.
The ranch is great for photography not only because of the close access, but the sun is to your back all afternoon to sunset. So the planes and background are well lit, as opposed to photogs having to shoot straight into the sun.
For certain maneuvers such as head-on passes, the photogs are directed into position where the pilots fly straight at them, before beginning their climb 1000’ away to 500’ altitude.
Warbird Adventures Chief Mechanic, Bryan Costa, also spices things up with his motorcycles, racing warbirds on takeoff down the dirt runway. An easy crowd favorite.
In the future we are hoping to bring horses out to the ranch, for some cool photography of them with the warbirds.
Drone are allowed as well, with prior approval, and as long as they do not interfere with other photographers. If you’re good enough, Richard will even allow you to takeoff with him.
Aerial photo shoots are available to purchase, or maybe you’ll get lucky and win a raffle
A raffle is held too, for one lucky photog to fly an aerial photo shoot with a P-40. There are not many who can say they have flown photo missions with WWII fighters. Even the pilots want the honor just to fly the photo ship. It’s definitely bragging rights among their buddies.
Aerial shoots are also for sale with the various aircraft in attendance.
Engine runs, bonfires, fireworks and night sky photography over historic aircraft
Planes are also staged for static photo ops day and night, including sunset and nighttime engine runs with various backgrounds.
Organizers have also started incorporating a fireworks shoot over the planes, thanks to the pyro expertise of Aaron Haase and Harrison Frey.
The photographers are not just told what to do and where to go either. Many air shows are a turnoff to photographers because they are very limited in what they can do and where they can go.
That’s not the case at the Skyranch. Their feedback and ideas are a vital part of the event’s success. Everything is tailored to what they want, as long as it can be done safely. Safety is the absolute top priority.
You can even do some astrophotography over the planes
It’s a special location, with skies dark enough to see the Milky Way with your naked eye. Photographers cannot capture the night sky at most airports due to light pollution.
The ranch, however, is rural. Far enough from city lights to produce some amazing results.
The planes are also positioned at different locations each night to allow photographers to capture the galaxy above the planes.
If photogs need instruction on how to shoot something, or how to edit and process their work, they are given 1-on-1 expert instruction.
It does not matter if you’re a seasoned pro, brand new to photography, or somewhere in between. Everyone is welcome, and everyone supports, helps and encourages each other.
An aerobatic training camp is also held for pilots
We have started incorporating an aerobatic training camp for pilots, with a focus on starting air shows. Several highly experienced and respected air show pilots attend as instructors, including representatives from the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS).
Greg Koontz, Scott Yoak, Clemens Kuhlig and Gary Ward are just a few of those who provide expert instruction for pilots learning aerobatics.
It’s a place where pilots can hone their skills, learn from the very best, and overall become better pilots. Plus they get some of the best photos of them flying that they could ask for.
“Warbird Pinup” photography
Photographer Chris Eccles brought model Samantha Walters to the last event, for some sunrise work with several of the planes. Tasteful and classy.
It worked out very well, and so we will be doing more of these as a formal shoot in the future, to give photographers another cool opportunity that will be a win-win for all involved.
Future air show plans
For now the American Dream Skyranch Photo Shootout is a private event, only for paying content creators who register. The cost is $250 each. They are allowed to bring guests for a smaller fee.
Plans are however in works to hold an air show open to the public in the future. The photo event would be the kickoff. Small at first, but growing bigger over time, with a focus on historic warbirds and aerobatics.
Want to stay up to date? Or attend a future event? The next will be held Sep 27-29, 2024. Join our private Facebook group, where we will provide updates.
