Chicago Air & Water Show 2026

A Day Photographing the Chicago Air & Water Show

Photographing the Chicago Air & Water Show was an experience I will not forget. The day was extremely hot and sunny, but the incredible atmosphere and the excitement in the sky made every moment worth it.

From the moment I arrived, I knew it was going to be a special day. The sky was bright and clear, creating beautiful conditions for photography. Everywhere I looked, people were enjoying the show, waiting for the next aircraft to appear overhead.

For a photographer, an air show is a completely different challenge. The aircraft move incredibly fast, and you have only seconds to find them, focus, and capture the right moment. I spent much of the day watching the sky, anticipating where the next plane would appear and trying to capture the perfect combination of aircraft, clouds, smoke trails, and the Chicago skyline.

The heat made the day challenging, but it was also an amazing opportunity to photograph something so dynamic and exciting. Every pass was different. Some aircraft disappeared almost as quickly as they arrived, while others left spectacular smoke trails across the blue sky.

One of my favorite parts was seeing how the aircraft interacted with the sky and the city. Chicago provided an incredible backdrop, making the photographs feel much more than just aviation images—they became memories of a summer day in the city.

This experience also inspired me to create my 2027 Chicago Air & Water Show Calendar, so I could share some of those moments beyond the day of the event.

Sometimes the best photographs come from days that are challenging, when the sun is intense, you're standing for hours, and you're constantly looking up. But when you finally capture that perfect moment, you realize it was all worth it.

Thank you for joining me on this photographic journey.

📸 Photographed by Luis Mendez — TailsofWildlife