Lynd Photography

Two Sunday’s ago, I attended my very first air show—a completely new experience for me, filled with both anticipation and unexpected surprises. I arrived unsure of what to expect. At first, it seemed like little more than scattered flights overhead, with the crowd sitting for hours under the unrelenting sun, waiting for the real action to begin.

Many families, especially those with young children, grew restless during the long wait. Some eventually gave up and left, their little ones unable to endure the heat and delayed excitement. Despite applying sunscreen, I still left the day sunburned—a harsh reminder of just how strong the spring sun can be.

Everything changed around 2:40 p.m., after nearly three hours of waiting. Suddenly, the mood of the entire crowd shifted. A wave of energy surged through the air as the first dramatic jet performance began. People rushed forward instinctively, as if drawn to a single vantage point directly in front of where we were standing. The crowd leapt to their feet, the roar of their cheers nearly matching the thunderous engines of the jets slicing through the sky.

Though I didn’t have my zoom lens with me—a regret in hindsight—I was still able to capture a few compelling shots of the planes performing aerial stunts. There’s something inherently thrilling about watching these machines twist, dive, and soar with such precision. Even without the perfect equipment, I felt creatively fulfilled.

By the time the show came to a close, the crowd had settled into a quieter hum. The thrill of the spectacle gave way to the shared exhaustion of a long day in the sun. We waited over an hour to board the bus that would take us back to the parking lot, but even that didn’t dull the lasting impression of what I had witnessed. It was a day of heat, patience, awe, and noise—one that reminded me how powerful and emotional it can be to simply look up.