THANK YOU for purchasing a ticket to one of our night photocalls. If you have been to an event like this before then this will likely be familiar to you, however the below may contain location-specific information that you might want to read to get the most out of your time at the event.

Frequently asked questions

I’ve never done this before. What should I bring?

Our night photocalls are usually held in March, October and November when it goes darker earlier, however it does mean that can be quite cold. A big coat and some good strong shoes will see you right - airfields can be muddy places at these times of year, but we do our utmost to make sure that our events are held on concrete or tarmac wherever possible. There is a likelihood of engine runs during an event, so hearing protection is recommended.

We suggest that you bring a tripod to ensure that your images remain as shake- and blur-free as possible. If you’ve got a shutter release cable, then that will help things further, but it’s not essential - you can remove the chance of camera-shake just as well by using your camera’s self-timer.

While the aircraft are illuminated during dusk and nightfall, there will be limited lighting elsewhere. You may want to bring a torch to help you see where camera buttons and dials are while taking pictures.

What happens during the event?

Once your ticket has been checked and everyone has arrived, the event organiser will give everyone a briefing - this will include timings for any aircraft due to perform an engine run, safety information and whether food and drink is available as well as where you can find it.

Following the brief, you will be led airside to photograph the aircraft involved in the event. TCAHS staff will be on hand at all times should you require any assistance or have any queries. Feedback is always very gratefully received.

Please remember that you - and we as the event organisers - are guests of the airfield the photocall is being held at. As such, all hangars are out of bounds unless stated otherwise and any aircraft not part of the photoshoot should not be photographed. Additionally, please be considerate of other photographers attending the event.

We will let everyone know when engine runs are due to begin. Each aircraft will run for around five to ten minutes. Pilots will be briefed ahead of engine runs beginning, and aircraft will be chocked throughout. This is non-negotiable.

What lights do you use?

We use Nightsearcher portable LED floodlights which produce a bright white light (5,500°K, if you’re wondering) which means there is no need for you to adjust your camera’s white balance.

Please be mindful that, at the start of the evening, the lights may not produce as much light as you might like. This is normal and just a matter of being patient while it goes darker. If you would like any of the lights adjusting during the event, please speak to a member of events staff - do not attempt to move or change them yourself.