Growing up in Southern California, SlickPixels.com creator, and Flight Brief Magazine Editor, John began his journey in aviation photography at the age of 7 when he began going out with his grandfather to the Point Mugu Air Show. “My grandfather had the run of the place… and so did I in those days,” says John. Grandfather Jim was one of the head electricians at the base and was in charge of setting up much of the air show. “He would set me up in the pilot’s grandstand with them and their families. It was great to hear their stories after they returned from flying in the show. Some years  I even got to meet the Blue Angels.”

“I learned early on that it was a good idea to plan on being out at the show for both Saturday and Sunday, primarily due to the potential fluctuation in the weather. Oftentimes, especially with the potential for fog at Mugu, the Blue Angels, and other acts would only get to fly on one of the two show days. Besides, I got to run around all over the place taking pictures and eating all the show food I could stomach.”

“In those days, the jets in the show often flew loaded, and actually launched the occasional sidewinder missile. Looking back through those old snapshots makes me wish we had today’s cameras back then, but those old flight demos were amazing.”

“I guess I have just never really grown out of loving to hang out at the air show.”