I had the opportunity to photograph a private aircraft for SmartJets, working alongside the team at ARO Aerial at The Ohio State University Airport in Columbus, Ohio. The goal of the project was simple: capture the aircraft in a way that highlights both the luxury experience inside the cabin and the strength of the aircraft’s exterior design.

Private aviation photography sits at an interesting intersection of architecture, engineering, and hospitality. You’re not just photographing a plane — you're documenting a carefully designed space meant to deliver comfort, efficiency, and trust.

SmartJets needed a collection of visual assets that could be used across multiple platforms, including:

• Marketing materials

• Website and social media content

• Digital promotions

• Interactive aircraft walkthroughs

My role focused on creating a set of images that would showcase the aircraft from two perspectives:

1. The passenger experience inside the cabin

2. The presence and scale of the aircraft on the runway

Alongside the photography, we also produced Matterport scans, allowing viewers to explore the aircraft through an interactive 3D tour.

The Location: The Ohio State University Airport

The shoot took place at The Ohio State University Airport, a hub for private and corporate aviation in Central Ohio. Unlike large commercial airports, this environment provides a quieter setting where charter and private aircraft operate with efficiency and discretion.

That setting also creates a unique opportunity for photography. With fewer restrictions than a major international airport, we were able to capture clean exterior images on the ramp with strong views of the aircraft against the open sky.

One of the most important aspects of aviation photography is capturing the feeling of the cabin.

Private jet interiors are designed to communicate comfort and craftsmanship. The challenge is balancing natural light from the windows with the warm tones of the interior materials.

For this shoot, the focus was on:

• Seating and cabin layout

• Material textures and finishes

• Spatial depth within a compact environment

• Lighting that communicates warmth and comfort

Because aircraft cabins are narrow spaces, composition becomes critical. Wide angles help show the full cabin experience while still maintaining a natural perspective.

I shot with my Sony A1 with a 12mm Lens.

Capturing the Exterior

The exterior images needed to communicate something different: power, scale, and presence.

When photographing aircraft on the ramp, small details matter:

• Angle of the aircraft relative to the sun

• Reflections along the fuselage

• Positioning of the wings and landing gear

• Clean backgrounds without visual distractions

Aircraft surfaces are highly reflective, so lighting conditions can dramatically change how the plane appears in the final image.

Private aviation is built on trust and experience. Strong visuals help communicate both.

Photography like this allows companies to show:

• The quality of their aircraft

• The comfort of the passenger environment

• The professionalism of their operation

For brands like SmartJets, visuals are not just documentation—they are part of the customer experience before the flight even begins.

Projects like this are always fun because they combine design, engineering, and storytelling in one space.

From the craftsmanship of the interior to the sleek lines of the exterior, photographing an aircraft offers a chance to capture a small piece of aviation culture here in Columbus.

Below are several images created during the session.

Project Credits

Client: SmartJets
Collaborator: ARO Media
Location: The Ohio State University Airport – Columbus, Ohio
Photography: Jason Flakes | Visual14