Ops PAO for both teams during spring training.” While Capt. Halliwell
took the lead, all three PAOs interacted with the photographers as a
team to ensure the teams were getting the imagery they needed to
do their jobs and that the photographers were getting the shots they
wanted.
The typical arrangement during spring training in Comox is that the
teams provide invited photographers the opportunity to access the
base to shoot the training in exchange for the teams being able to use
the photographer’s imagery. The demo teams need the imagery for
everything from their brochures and posters to their media kits and
lithographs. Social media has quickly become another major use of
the imagery. Capt. Halliwell: “Social media increases the reach of both
teams exponentially beyond the air shows themselves. Not only do we
see everyone at the shows, but when we post things online we reach
people across the world. It allows us to connect with those people and
both teams use social media all the time for that reason. A big part of
successfully connecting with social media is having amazing shots.”
In return for the opportunity to shoot and provide imagery for the teams,
the photographers that shoot at spring training retain full rights to use
their shots commercially resulting in all parties benefiting from the
relationship. It’s a relationship that involves a lot of trust.“We’re willing to bend over backwards to give photographers access
over and above what we would typically give once we’ve developed
trust. Trust is #1 when it comes to anything we do. Especially when it
comes to our relationship with the photographers.” said Capt. Halliwell.
The PAOs need to be able to trust that photographers given access
to aircraft on a working airfield ramp will follow instructions. Ramp
safety, access boundaries and not shooting certain military subjects
are all issues they need to be confident photographers will respect
without needing constant supervision. They also need to trust that
photographers will follow up with the imagery they agreed to supply.
Capt. Halliwell continued to say “It’s awesome to work with people that