Jim Raeder

Teamwork makes his dream work

February 12, 2026 By Julie Summers Walker

We tend to think of photography as a solo profession. But in the world of aviation, no photographer can be successful without the teamwork and professionalism of the pilots who fly the platform airplane (where the photographer sits) and the subject airplane.

Hell-er Bust: This North American Mustang is owned by Mark Peterson of Boise, Idaho. The night shoot on the ramp was "heavily photoshopped." Photo by Jim Raeder

Hell-er Bust: This North American P–51 Mustang is owned by Mark Peterson of Boise, Idaho. The night shot on the ramp was “heavily photoshopped.”

That is Jim Raeder’s mantra: “Without exceptional pilots, these photographs would be impossible.” Born in Ohio, Raeder says aviation had to be in his blood. His first airplane ride was in the baggage compartment of his father’s American Champion Citabria. He soloed at 17 and went to school to become an airframe and powerplant mechanic. He worked for Avid Aircraft, building, flying, and selling airplanes until the Experimental Aircraft Association noticed him photographing during AirVenture. Photography had been an interest in high school, but once with EAA, photography became his business. Self-taught, he’s been photographing aircraft for more than 45 years. But, he says, aviation photography is not a solo sport. “Getting all the people, airplanes, and weather in the same place and same time and working with pilots who don’t know formation well—that’s my biggest challenge,” he said. “I have learned the pilots who talk the loudest about their abilities are the ones to be careful of. The quiet ones are typically the best because they have done it all and have nothing to prove.” He has 4,000 hours in a variety of aircraft, including tailwheel airplanes, and seaplanes. “I want to be the best I can be at what I love and see as much of the world as I can.”

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This is one of my most memorable shoots not because of the sight but because of the sound. All the B–25s ran up their engines at the same time and cut off at the same time. That’s something you don’t often hear.

North American B–25s for the Doolittle Raiders reunion in Dayton, Ohio.

The High Sierra Fly-In is like Burning Man for airplanes. A long exposure night shot is more interesting when you ask some kids with lights on their bicycle wheels to help you make things more interesting.

Cessna 180 on the playa at High Sierra.

Good balance on a 18-inch-wide floorboard and smooth flying resulted in about three minutes of photography over the jump zone.

RL U–1 Breezy over Caldwell, Idaho.

I’ve photographed for EAA for about 30 years and this was a night shot of one of the B–17s after a lot of rain.

Boeing B–17 Flying Fortress at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh in 2025.

John Muszala Jr. flying a restored 1945 Avenger, photographed from the back of a T–6 with a rollback canopy. A lot of wind buffeting the camera.

Pacific Fighters in Idaho Falls was doing a maintenance engine run-up on a T–6. I liked how the sun was reflecting off the propeller.

Grumman TBM–3E Avenger, owned by the Erickson Collection in Madras, Oregon.

North American SNJ–5 T-6 radial engine, owned by Bert Summers.

I used to focus on airplanes but the people are more important. I once heard some one say if you don’t think photography is important wait until that’s all you have left.

Boeing Plaza at EAA AirVenture.

Julie Summers Walker

AOPA Senior Features Editor

AOPA Senior Features Editor Julie Summers Walker joined AOPA in 1998. She is a student pilot still working toward her solo.

Go to Julie Summers Walker's Profile

Jim Raeder

Teamwork makes his dream work

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