By Nick Chismar
The Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s WWII Weekend has long been a staple of the warbird and airshow community. With three days of warbird action, thousands of reenactors, and seemingly endless displays and experiences, the event has attracted visitors from around the world for what will soon be 34 years. Last year marked the first time that the WWII Weekend Photo Experience was offered to amateur and professional photographers alike, and after a successful kick off, the package is back for 2025. The WWII Weekend Photo Experience combines several photo opportunities throughout the event on June 6, 7, and 8 into one package for photographers to enjoy. The package includes a sunset photoshoot on Friday, sunrise photoshoot on Saturday, night photo shoot on Saturday night, access to the photographer-only photo pit, and a three-day pass to WWII Weekend.
The Photo Pit
Back for its third year, the photo pit has grown to become a much enjoyed part of the experience. Situated on a hill just above runway 13 on the opposite side of the field, the pit allows for unobstructed views of the airshow’s performances. The location is inside of the airport fence and closer to the show box itself. Photographers can enjoy capturing stunning aircraft with the sun to their backs, allowing the aircraft to be evenly lit as the show moves into the afternoon. Parking is located nearby just outside of the airport fence and is only a short walk from the check-in desk. Bagged lunches and water is provided on all three days along with a 20×20 tent, and port-a-potties for your convenience. Participating photographers are asked to bring their own seating.
Sunset and Sunrise Photo Walks
The sunset and sunrise photo walks are a long-standing favorite for many photographers who have attended over the years. The walks include a tour of the ramp, allowing photographers a unique opportunity to get close to aircraft such as the Commemorative Air Force’s B-29 “Fifi” which was the main subject in 2024. Select reenactors also join in the walks to provide some period photo opportunities. Saturday morning’s walk will have a rain date of Sunday morning.
Night Photo Shoot
By far one of the most popular opportunities for photographers at WWII Weekend, the night photo shoot is returning once again. Three iconic warbirds will be brought out to run their engines for 10 minutes each while being expertly lit by Lerro Photography. The taxiway will also be wet to allow photographers to capture the reflections of the aircraft. 2024 featured the night shoot debut of Vintage Wings Inc’s C-53-DO Skytrooper Beach City Baby as well as Alan Armstrong’s replica B5N Kate and the Warbird Factory’s TBM Avenger Ida Red. Previous years have seen each CAF Airbase Georgia’s fleet make appearances such as their P-63 and FG-1D as well as the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s replica D3A Val and Delaware Aviation Museum Foundation’s B-25 Panchito.
Three Day Pass
Lastly, participants can enjoy a three-day pass to the 34th Annual WWII Weekend. As a long-standing staple in the airshow community, WWII Weekend has been one of, if not the largest WWII events in the country for decades. The WWII Weekend Photo Experience is truly a unique opportunity for photographers to enjoy the event and capture some stunning images. The package is open to professional and amateur photographers alike and is certainly something you would not want to miss.
All of this is available for a non-refundable donation of $300 made payable to the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum. There are limited spots available, so if you are interested please send an email titled “WWII Weekend Photo Experience” to David Brown at [email protected] for more information on how to apply. The 34th Annual WWII Weekend will be held on June 6, 7, and 8. More information on the event can be found at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum’s website.