Light Painting Stories - 2025

These are the amazing light painting photography projects that Joannie and I created in 2025. It turned out that 2025 was, by far, the most traveling that we’ve done to create our light-painted art up to this point! We found ourselves creating them in Florida, Missouri, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Illinois, Wisconsin, and, or course, back home here in Minnesota! Each of these cool projects are listed in chronological order, beginning in January 2025, when we light painted three unique projects in Fort Myers, and Naples, Florida. In April, I headed to Missouri and Alabama for two more fun projects, both with Corvettes as the main subject. One of those light paintings had two racehorses, as well as two Corvettes, in it! Then, in May, I traveled to both Hayward and Danbury, Wisconsin to light-paint four fantastic projects for Fornengo Forest Products. One of those projects even included a Corvette with logging equipment! Just a few weeks later, Joannie and I hit the road for a six-project trip to northern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. That road trip was a lot of creative fun! July brought me back to EAA's AirVenture at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. (Joannie had hurt her knee and stayed home to rehab it). While there, I created three amazing aircraft light paintings of some really cool aircraft! On the return trip home, I detoured south into Illinois for a really pretty 3-Corvette project. A couple of weeks later, I was back in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin for three more fantastic light painting projects. One of those projects included four-vehicles in front an old barn. The second one featured a Daytona Tribute Car, and the third project features a mint-condition silver 1967 Ford Fairlane Ranchero! Then, just a few days later, I flew to Brownsville, Texas where I would end up creating four light paintings in just two nights! The first of those was of a Cessna 182. The second one featured 3 Harley-Davison Motorcycles! The third included three Ford Shelby’s. And the forth, two more Harley’s! So fun! Just two days after returning home from Texas, we hit the road and headed to Tulsa, Oklahoma for two separate Corvette light paintings. And while we were there, we added another, as a personal project, of a fantastic Vintage Texaco Station and gift shop called "Gearhead Curios", right on Route 66 in Galena, Kansas. Then, we left Tulsa, and headed to Hot Springs, Arkansas, to light paint another Corvette (our very first E-Ray) with a Bentley Continental GT Speed! A couple of weeks after returning home from Oklahoma and Arkansas, I headed to western Minnesota for the light painting of a spectacular ’63 Split-Window Corvette under the Aurora Borealis! After all of that, we took a few days off in September to catch our breath. We headed north to relax, and played some golf up in the Brainerd, Minnesota area with our long-time friends Wayne and Sally. In late-September into mid-October, we were back on the road once again. This time, we headed to South Dakota where we created wedding photographs at the wedding of Turner and Kristin at their incredible destination wedding at Sylvan Lake Lodge! While on that trip, we also spent several days capturing landscapes and wildlife photographs in the Black Hills, Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and other locations on the trip. Then, just a few days after getting back from South Dakota, I flew flew out to North Carolina for what turned out to be five amazing light painting projects, including two of our first-ever helicopter! I returned home from North Carolina for just two days. Then Joannie and I flew to Walt Disney World with our daughter, Jen, her husband, Ben, and our two oldest Grandkids, Riley and Ryder! After a fabulous time at Disney World, we returned home in time to host Kris Kringle, in “Santa’s Magic Workshop” (light painted, of course)! Once again in 2025, Santa was in the studio to help us raise money to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. It’s our favorite charity fundraiser of all! 2025 was certainly a well traveled, and fantastic year! We had amazing projects, and met wonderful people all over the country. And, 2026 is already looking to be more of the same, as we already have light painting projects lined up in Georgia, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri, Wisconsin, and back home in Minnesota! All that being said, to discover more about a particular project, just click on the button below each one and you'll be taken to our sister website at Michael Anderson Photography for "The Rest of the Story". Thank you for taking time out of your day to check out our art. We’ll be back with more cool light painting projects in 2026! - M&J

An Amazing 14-Vehicle Light Painting in a Garage Condo

We started 2025 out with a bang! Joannie and I hit the road in late January to exhibit our light painting photography at the Cars on 5th Concourse in Naples, Florida. We had a great time, saw hundreds of amazing cars, and met lots of great car owners too. We even saw Jay Leno (from a distance) at one of the show's events. I even had the opportunity to do a bunch of wildlife photography on the trip!

The person that helped set this up for us was a guy named Steve. We met him at "Back to the Fifties" at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds back in June 2024. (As a side-note, we were there once again in June 2025.) Steve told us that we just had to attend Cars on 5th, and he actually helped to make that happen!

We had 2 light painting projects lined up for on the way down and back, but Mother Nature had other ideas. They were rescheduled for much warmer days in the springtime. However, while we were in Florida, we did photograph three light painting projects. This is the first of those that Joannie and I created for Steve in his amazing garage!

Please check out the full story by clicking on the button below.

Included in this one-of-a-kind light painting project are a 1957 C1 Corvette, a 1960 C1 Corvette, a 1965 C2 Corvette Coupe, a 1969 C3 Corvette Coupe, a 1993 C4 Corvette Convertible ZR1, a 2013 50th Anniversary Edition C6 Corvette Convertible, a 2016 C7 Corvette Convertible Z06, a 2024 Chevrolet Z06 Corvette Coupe 3LZ, a 1933 Ford Sedan, a 1953 Chevy Truck, the shell of NASCAR #24, a 1964 Ford Galaxie 500XL, a 1959 Chevrolet El Camino, and a 1964 Chevrolet El Camino!

An Amazing 14-vehicle Light Painting - The Rest of the Story

Light painting a Route 66 Diorama (circa 1958)

When we went to visit Steve's garage condo, we were greeted by an amazing Route 66 diorama right as we walked in the front door! As a former model railroader, I was blown away! I just had to light paint it!

It was created by a guy named Don Bonin. It took Don nearly 3 years to design and build this amazing tribute to Route 66! To read a lot more about this cool light painting project, click on the button located under the 3rd section.

Because its a whopping 20 feet wide, and located just inside the front doors, we decided to break it up into a 3-piece panorama. The section you see below is the left side of the diorama. Included in this section are Cline's Garage, Cline's Flying C Ranch, the Flying C Cafe, and Homer's Used Cars Parts Junkyard, all circa 1958.

The left section of the Route 66 diorama features Cline's Garage, Cline's Flying C Ranch, the Flying C Cafe, and Homer's Used Cars Parts Junkyard. Oh yeah, tther''s lots of cool period cars and trucks from the Franklin Mint too!

The center section of the Route 66 diorama (below) features the centerpiece of the display, the Tower Court. This is as it looked in the 1940's. During that time period, it was common for motels to be called "Courts". The fancier ones, like this one, all had a garage for each unit.

The real Tower Court is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Here's the centerpiece of the Route 66 diorama, the Tower Court. It was very common at the time to call motels "courts".

On the right side of the Route 66 diorama (below) we've got the "Don Bonin" Chevrolet Dealership and a Standard Service Station. The Chevy Dealership was located on Route 66 in Kansas (it was actually a Ford Dealership at one time), and the Standard Service Station was in Illinios. The button below will take you to the very entertaining "Rest of the Story".

The far left section of Steve's Route 66 diorama (circa 1958). Featured here is the Don Bonin Chevrolet Dealership (named after the creator of the diorama), and a Standard Gas Station, both in amazing detail!

Light Painting an Amazing Route 66 Diorama - The Full Story

A Cool Light Painting of a 2024 Ford Mustang GT Performance

Up next, we have the third light painting project that we created on our Florida trip. This one's a pretty light painted photograph of a 2024 Mustang GT Performance as well as their beautiful home in Fort Myers, Florida.

This beautiful combo belongs to Bob and his wife Sharyl. Bob is the brother of our long-time friend Sally and her husband Wayne. We went over to visit Bob and Sharyl at their home and Bob made the "mistake" of showing us his Mustang GT. I just had to light paint it!

It was a little complicated due to the brightest street light I've even seen in a residential nieghborhood, but we did manage to pull it off. The whole story is on our blog (which is linked below).

Besides the world's brightest street light, the other "unique" thing about this project was when the city's sprinkler system came on during the photography! It got us, and our camera gear wet! Thankfully, we were almost done with the light painting photography, and our camera gear served the experience! But it did make for some wild moments as we scrambled to protect the camera gear from getting wet(er)!

A cool light painting of Bob and Sharyl's beautiful home, and Bob's "toy", a hot 2024 Mustang GT Performance!

Light Painting a 2024 Mustang GT and a Beautiful Home

Light Painting a Watkins Glen Grey 2019 Corvette Grand Sport in a Cave in Southern Missouri

In late April, I made a return trip to "Corvettes in Paradise" in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri - my third year in a row. I didn't know it when I left home, but I'd be creating light painting in a location that I never would have imaged, especially for a Corvette! A cool (and huge) cave!

Darin & Krista, along with their friends, Randy and Pam, were wonderful hosts that evening. As darkness approached, we saw lots of bats flying in and out of the cave, but I was unsuccessful in capturing them with the camera. It was simple too dark - and they were way too fast!

Darin likes to think of this beautiful Corvette as his "Batmobile". Well, after light painting it in this unusual location, it does kinda resemble that iconic car! Very cool!

Check out the full story at the link below. This project turned out so cool, and it looks amazing printed on metal (as they always do)!

Darin & Krista's very own "Bat Moblie", a 2019 Watkins Glen Grey Corvette Grand Sport. Light painted, of all places, in a cave in southern Missouri!

Light Painting a Corvette in a Cave!

Light Painting Corvettes and Quarter Horses at "Horsepower Farm"

This was one of the projects that we were hoping to create for my friend, Jim, back in February. But it was simply too cold.

We've had dogs in several light painting projects over the years. However this time, we upped the ante and added two racehorses along with a pair of amazing Corvettes!

These two Quarter Horses are "Boujee", an 8-year-old, and "Rookie", a 12-year-old. Both of these beautiful horses have competed, and placed, in Amateur Pro Association (APA) women’s barrel racing with Jim's daughter, Madison, at the reins!

The "other" horsepower that we've got in this truly one-of-a-kind image are a 1967 C2 Corvette Roadster Convertible L79, as well as a 2023 C8 Corvette 70th Anniversary Edition Z51! As you can see, there's lots of horsepower in this beautiful light painting!

I met Jim in 2024 at "Corvettes in Paradise" at the Lake of the Ozarks Corvette Club Show. His stunning '67 Corvette won me over. I presented him with my "Photographers Choice Award", and plans were made to light paint it sometime in the future.

Well, after having to scrap the project (twice) in February due to unseasonably cold weather in Alabama (it was in the teens at night), we managed to get it "in the can" in the days following the 2025 Lake of the Ozarks Corvette Club Show (LOCC) in late April. The weather was far more cooperative, despite the fact that we hit the dew point later in the evening.

Jim, and his daughter, Madison, positioned Boujee and Rookie for their portraits. Both horses handled being photographed with strobes pretty well, although Boujee wasn't exactly thrilled. Mother Nature supplied quite the sky for us that night!

A pretty light painting project that features the client's beautiful home, as well as a pair of Quarter Horses, and two Corvettes - a 1967 C2 Corvette Roadster Convertible L79, as well as a 2023 C8 Corvette 70th Anniversary Edition Z51.

Light Painting Lots of Horsepower!

Light Painting Logging Equipment for Fornengo Forest Products

It was early May, and it was finally getting nice out in the northern states! Back in December, I was contacted by Fornengo Forest Products about creating something cool for them once it got warm out. On my way to Motorhead Madness in March, I met with them at their headquarters in Danbury, Wisconsin to discuss what they were looking for.

We scheduled three different projects, over three nights, in early May. Thankfully, Mother Nature was cooperative and gave us dry weather all three evenings and we got all of them "in the can"!

The first of the three light painting projects had several pieces of forest harvesting equipment in it! Featured in this cool image from left to right) are a John Deere 2154G Swing Machine, a John Deere 948L-II Grapple Skidder, a Pro Pac Delimber, two SERCO 300 Series Loaders - both with 72" SERCO Saws, a Tigercat 5400 Felling Saw, a Tigercat 625E Skidder, and a Tigercat X830E Feller Buncher.

It took until almost 1:00 AM to do the light painting part of this project! But boy, is it cool!

A beautiful light painted photograph of six forestry harvesting machines with accessories. This unique image was created for Fornengo Forest Products located in Danbury, Wisconsin. Featured in this cool image are a John Deere 2154G Swing Machine, a John Deere 948L-II Grapple Skidder, a Pro Pac Delimber, two SERCO 300 Series Loaders, both with 72" SERCO Saws, a Tigercat 5400 Felling Saw, a Tigercat 625E Skidder, and a Tigercat X830E Feller Buncher.

Light Painting Six Forest Harvesting Rigs

Light Painting More Logging Equipment for Fornengo Forest Products

The night after we created that cool image above with six forest harvesting rigs, we were at it again! This time, it seemed like a simple one, with "only" two rigs in the image. However, the Waratah HTH623C Harvester Head had other ideas. It's attached to the Tigercat H822E Skidder (the rig on the right).

The ground was just a little soft, and that Harvester Head was so heavy, that it moved - very, very slowly, all evening long! Well, when light painting anything, any movement is a bad thing as none of the images will line up in post-production. Michael spent quite a bit of time realigning all of the parts of this log cutting machine.

The John Deere 1210 Forwarder (on the left side) was a real good boy, and didn't move at all!

The second light painting project for Fornengo Forest Products had a John Deere 1210 Forwarder and a Tigercat H822E Skidder with a Waratah HTH623C Harvester Head. The "blue hour" sky looks pretty in the one too! We were in Danbury, Wisconsin for this unique project.

Light Paint Two Lumber Harvesting Rigs

Light Painting a Corvette with Lumber Hauling Trucks

On the third night, we created a light painting of a rather unique combination of vehicles. This one-of-kind artwork has a 2023 Kenworth T880, a 2024 Mack P164T, and, of all things, a 2006 Corvette Z06 in it!

The Corvette belongs to their father, Tim. When I met with them back in March and found out that dad owned a Vette, I had to suggest putting in in a light painting. And, they did!

This was a really fun project to photograph that night. Many of their family members were on hand. In fact, Brandon & Tanya's son, Caleb, was my "Camera Trigger Man" that night!

Also on hand were their friends, and mine, Ray & Anne, from just down the road! I had the opportunity to light paint their cool '79 Trans Am and '79 Chevy truck in the fall of 2024! Look for that pretty image and story in our "Light Painting Stories - 2024" page.

A unique combination of light painted vehicles created for Fornengo Forest Products in Danbury, Wisconsin. We've got a 2023 Kenworth T880, a 2024 Mack P164T, and, of all things, a 2006 Corvette Z06!

Light Painting a Corvette and Logging Equipment

Light Painting Forestry Harvesting Equipment Before Sunrise

We mentioned earlier that there were three projects scheduled for Fornengo Forest Products. And, yes, only three were "scheduled". However, on the evening of the first project, Josh and I were talking once we had the machinery in place and were waiting for it to get dark out.

I was really blown away by the size of the saw blades on the SERCO 300 Series Loaders - both with 72" SERCO Saws. In the image that we were about to light paint that night, one of the saw blades was visible, but it wasn't extremely "noticeable" in the image full of lots of cool stuff. I suggested setting up a second camera to showcase them form the other direction, facing east, and if we had the time, create a light painting from that angle.

Well, we finished with the intended project pretty late that night - actually, it was the following morning! At around midnight, I sent Josh and Brandie home. Josh had to be back on-site in just a few hours, and they had at least a 45 minute drive just to get home to bed!

I put the finishing touches on the first project after they left. Then, I had a decision to make. I already had the camera set up, so, should I light paint the second version, or go to my hotel and get to bed? You probably know what I decided to do!

When I put the finishing touches on this one, I did a long exposure to see with the sky had going for it. Well, the sunrise was in its very early stages, and it looked amazing! That's what can happen in the longest days of the year in Wisconsin!

A beautiful sunrise light painting of forestry harvesting equipment created for Fornengo Forest Products. This one features a A SERCO 300 Series Loader with a 72″ SERCO Saw, a John Deere 2154G Swing Machine with a Pro Pac Delimber, and a second SERCO 300 Series Loader with a 72″ SERCO Saw. You can really see those huge saw blades in this version!

Light Painting Four Forest Harvesting Rigs

Light Painting a Mosaic Black Metallic 2018 ZL1 1LE Camaro

We created this one for Sandra in Jay Cooke State Park in Carlton, Minnesota. If the weather cooperated, this would be the first of six light painting projects in five nights in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin!

Sandra discovered, and commissioned us to create a light painting of her amazing Camaro at Motorhead Madness in Duluth back in March. She was pretty jazzed when she saw the artworks in our booth!

We got this one photographed with little to no problems from Mother Nature, although it did rain earlier in the day. The location that Sandra selected was this beautiful vista overlooking the St. Louis River in Jay Cooke. Just so darn pretty!

A pretty light painting of a Mosaic Black Metallic 2018 ZL1 1LE Camaro. We created this one in Jay Cooke State Park in Carlton, Minnesota.

Light Painting a 2018 ZL1 1LE Camaro in Jay Cooke State Park

Light Painting a 1915 Ford Model T and a 2008 Ford Shelby Mustang

I also met both Judy and Kim at Motorhead Madness in March. Judy's Shelby Mustang was so amazing that I awarded it with my "Photographer's Choice Award". Kim's 125-year-old Model T is quite the car in it's own right as well.

Judy's Shelby Mustang is actually autographed by 2 members of the Shelby family, one of them being none other than Carroll Shelby himself! When we met them to see the location that they had in mind for the light painting, Judy asked me if I'd be okay with having Kim's Model T in the image too. Oh yeah!

It rained a lot that afternoon and we almost cancelled the project for the night. Then, there was a little break in the weather, so we gave it a go. We managed to get the photography done just as it started to rain again. As they say, timing is everything!

Light Painting a Ford Shelby Mustang and a Ford Model T

Nine Muscle Cars in One Light Painting!

The night after we created Kim and Judy's wonderful light painting, we were in far northern Minnesota for what turned out to be another really amazing light painting project - 9 muscle cars!

We traveled to Chris and Karen's home to create a stunning light painting of the cars that Chris has restored over the years. Eight of them were salvage cars, just one was purchased new. All of them are very, very, cool!

In the garage, on the left lift, we've got a 2018 Camaro 2SS, and a 2009 Challenger RT on the right lift. On the Ground, from left to right, we've got a 1976 Camaro, a 1967 SS RS Camaro, a 1969 Chevelle Super Sport, a 1969 Mustang GT RestoMod, a 1968 GT 390 Mustang, a 1970 Plymouth Cuda, and last but not least, there's a 1998 Trans Am!

Heavy smoke from the nearby Canadian wildfires made for a rather boring sky. So, I "swapped" the dull sky for an Aurora Borealis photograph that I captured in May of 2024. Amazingly, I captured that image (right in the heart of the Twin Cities) on the night when the Aurora Borealis was visible in all 50 states! We can only imagine what the northern lights were like over their house that night!

A beautiful light painted photograph of nine muscle cars in northern Minnesota! In the garage, on the left lift, we've got a 2018 Camaro 2SS, and a 2009 Challenger RT on the right lift. On the Ground, from left to right, we've got a 1976 Camaro, a 1967 SS RS Camaro, a 1969 Chevelle Super Sport, a 1969 Mustang GT RestoMod, a 1968 GT 390 Mustang, a 1970 Plymouth Cuda, and last but not least, there's a 1998 Trans Am!

Light Painting Nine Muscle Cars

Light Painting 3 One-of-a-Kind Vehicles

The morning after we completed the photography for Chris and Karen, we traveled south into northern Wisconsin for a pair of amazing car light painting projects.

The first one included 3 truly one-of-a-kind vehicles. It is very difficult to describe just how amazing these two trucks and car are. The man that literally build them is a very talented craftsman named Myron. All three vehicles were created using parts from all types of other vehicles as well as tons of custom parts that Myron created by hand!

When he commissioned us to create this project for him at Motorhead Madness in March, there were going to be two trucks in the light painting. One of them is a stunning "Ruby Slipper Red" 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air that Myron turned into a very upscale "El Camino like" pickup truck! The second truck is a Raspberry colored 1978 Chevy Custom 3/4 ton pickup. Both of these trucks you have to see to believe!

When Joannie and I arrived at their home, Myron asked me if it was ok to add another vehicle to his light painting, a 1939 LaSalle Rat Rod! Oh yeah!

He explained that when he saw us in March, that car was just parts laying on his shop floor. In just 3 months he had it together enough that it could be in the artwork. It doesn't have an engine or interior of any kind (yet), but, it was now a car! We got it into position using Myron's riding lawn mower to tow it into place!

The whole story, which lists dozens of the modifications and specs, can be enjoyed by clicking the button below the cool final artwork.

Myron's amazing light painting artwork of his 3 one-of-a-kind vehicles. We've got a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air "El Camino like" pickup truck, a 1939 LaSalle Rat Rod, and a 1978 Chevy Custom 3/4 ton pickup. Amazing craftsmanship!

Light Painting 3 One-of-a-Kind Vehicles

Light Painting a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner on Lake Superior

The night after we light painted Myron's 3 one-of-a-kind vehicles, we were at it again! This time, we were in Washburn, Wisconsin, right on the shores of Lake Superior. The subject: a wonderful two-tone blue1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner!

This was another car that we discovered at Motorhead Madness in Duluth, Minnesota back in March. The car's owner, Jim, was the winner of one of our "Photographer's Choice Awards" at the show.

Mother Nature had a hand in this one. It rained, off and on, for the first hour or so. This, of course, is not what you want to have happen while you're light painting a vehicle. We scrambled to cover our camera gear, and Jim spent a good chunk of the evening drying off his car.

We didn't give up. We were rewarded with not one, but two really pretty artworks. The first was the view of the car from the rear. Then, we took a chance that we could light paint the front end (before it rained again) by turning the car around, and not moving the camera. That way, we would "only" have to light paint the car, not the whole scene for the second version.

I used the pretty sunset images from earlier in the evening (taken in-between rain showers), in both images. It worked out great!

Here's version one of a beautiful light painted photograph of a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner. Joannie and I created this beauty right on the shores of Lake Superior in Washburn, Wisconsin.

Version two of the 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner was made a little easier by not moving the camera, and simply turning the car around. That allowed us to light paint just the car, and not the surrounding area for the second version.

Light Painting a 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner on Lake Superior

Light Painting "Old Crow" at AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

For the 4th year in a row, we were exhibiting our light painting's at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Our Light Painting Photography booth was a hit! We had several new artworks on display, including a 60" Metal Print Showstopper featuring The Howard 500 N500LN! (That image and its full story can be found in "Light Painting Stories - 2024".)

This year, I decided that I was going to attempt to light paint an aircraft during one the the fireworks airshows. That's when I stumbled into the opportunity to light paint "Old Crow". Old Crow was a fabulous P-51 D Mustang fighter plane that was flown by Triple Ace, C.E. "Bud" Anderson, during World War II.

How did I get to light paint this famous aircraft? I simply asked! Yes, I was in the right place at the right time, and all I did was ask. I met Ray & Melisa Fowler that night, and the rest is history!

Our long-time friend, Wayne Nolden, assisted me on this amazing project. The whole story, with several photographs of Triple Ace, C.E. "Bud" Anderson, can be enjoyed at the link below the image.

A beautiful light painted photograph of the P-51 Mustang, "Old Crow". This unique image was created during the Wednesday night airshow fireworks at the 2025 AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Light Painting "Old Crow" at Oshkosh

Light Painting CubCrafters XCub N920RS in Oshkosh

My new-found friends, Ray and Melisa, had just become CubCrafters dealers. The day after the light painting of Old Crow, they asked me if I could do another project for them. Ray asked me if it had to be another Warbird? To which I told him that I was game for anything!

The cool bush plane, XCub N920RS, was light painted by the airstrip at Hickory Oaks Campground in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Mother Nature tossed in an amazing sky that perfectly complimented this aircraft. The finished artwork is really quite pretty!

A pretty light painted photo of CubCrafters XCub N920RS at sunset. This image was created at Hickory Oaks Campground in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Light Painting CubCrafters XCub N920RS in Oshkosh

Light Painting Douglas DC-3 N728G During the 2025 AirVenture Fireworks Airshow

Just 3 nights after light painting "Old Crow" during the Wednesday night fireworks airshow, I was at it again. And, once again, Ray and Melisa came up with the subject. The Douglas DC-3 N728G!

This unique light painted image was created in a very secure area in the Warbirds section at EAA. In order for me to even be there, they had to get it cleared with the FAA, the Control Tower, Warbirds security, and the Civil Air Patrol!

I felt very special, and quite nervous, about creating this image with that many groups involved. Thankfully, the final artwork did not disappoint! For me, EAA's AirVenture will never be the same again!

The cool light painting of Douglas DC-3 N728G! This cool image was created during the 2025 AirVenture Fireworks Spectacular in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Light Painting Douglas DC-3 N728G during the Oshkosh Fireworks Spectacular

Light Painting Three Beautiful Corvettes in Illinois

I left Oshkosh and headed south into Illinois to create this pretty light painting project with three Corvettes for Tom and Karen. The weather made this a challenging project. Heat and humidity tried hard to put their marks on this one. The heat index was well over 100 (even after dark!), and the humidity was off the charts!

The three Corvettes in this cool one-of-a-kind image are a Torch Red C5 2002 Corvette Convertible, a 2012 Carlisle Blue Corvette Grand Sport Convertible, and a Long Beach Red 2019 C7 Corvette Stingray Coupe.

Amazingly, this turned out really beautiful, despite that fact the we hit the dew point very early in the evening. Tom, Karen, and I worked very hard to dry off the cars, and capture the images before they got wet again. Somehow, we pulled it off! The whole story can be found by clicking on the button below the finished light painting.

Tom and Karen's pretty light painted photograph of their three wonderful Corvettes! From left to right in this cool one-of-a-kind image we have a Torch Red C5 2002 Corvette Convertible, a 2012 Carlisle Blue Corvette Grand Sport Convertible, and a 2019 C7 Corvette Stingray Coupe in Long Beach Red.

Light Painting 3 Corvettes on a Hot & Humid Summer Night

Light Painting Four Cool Vehicles and a Finnish Barn

A couple of weeks after Oshkosh, I traveled to northern Wisconsin for an amazing light painting project of four unique vehicles in front of a really cool Finnish barn!

This was another project that came from Motorhead Madness back in March. In this one, we've got a 2009 Corvette, a 1972 Chevelle, a 1963 Chevy Stepside C20 pickup, and a 2021 Dodge Ram truck.

The wildfires up in Canada made their mark on this one. The moonrise was a beautiful orange color that contrasted very nicely with the blue twilight in the western sky.

A cool light painted photograph of a 2009 Corvette, a 1972 Chevelle, a 1963 Chevy Stepside C20, and a 2021 Dodge Ram truck. This beautiful image was created during the Canadian wildfires in the summer of 2025. Those fires made for quite the orange moon rise that evening!

Light Painting 4 Vehicles and a Finnish Barn

Light Painting a Dodge Daytona Tribute Car

On the same trip, I had the honor of light painting a 1970 Dodge Charger 500 that's been converted into a 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Tribute Car!

This was yet another project that came from Motorhead Madness back in March. In fact, this car belongs to Mike Busche! He's one of the guys who runs that great car show each year!

When I saw his car on display at the show, I asked Mike (ok, maybe begged) if I could light paint it sometime. At that time, he was still putting it together. However, by August, it was ready to be light painted. Since both he and the car had spent quite a bit of "quality time" there the last year or two, we decided to light paint it right there in Mike's garage!

A cool light painted photograph of a 1970 Dodge Charger 500 that's been converted into a 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona Tribute Car. Image was created in the client's garage in northern Wisconsin.

Light Painting a Dodge Daytona Tribute Car

Light Painting a Silver1967 Ford Fairlane Ranchero

The evening after light painting Mike's Daytona Tribute Car, I headed back into Minnesota to a lake about an hour north of Duluth. It was there that I was blessed to light paint Conrad & PeggySue's stunning1967 Ford Fairlane Ranchero!

This car is just remarkably spotless and was Joannie's selection for a "Photographer's Choice Award" at Motorhead Madness back in March.

The smoke from the Canadian wildfires was at it again that night making for a really cool-looking moon over the lake.

A pretty light painted photograph of a silver 1967 Ford Fairlane Ranchero created at at lake in northern Minnesota. Smoke from the wildfires in Canada made for an interesting sky with the full moon also out that night.

Light Painting a Silver 1967 Ford Fairlane Ranchero

Light Painting Cessna182 N225EA at RGV Wing Commemorative Airport

In late August, I flew to Brownsville, Texas for what turned out to be 4 cool light painting projects in just two nights! All four of them ended up being created within about 100 yards of each other at the cool, and now retired, control tower at RGV Wing Commemorative Airport in Los Fresnos, Texas.

The pretty light painting of Cessna182 N225EA that you see below was originally going to be accompanied by 3 Harley-Davidson motorcycles. After seeing the set up, the owner, Erick, decided to have the Cessna 182 all by itself, and have the trio of Harley's in a light painting of their very own.

A fabulous light painted photograph of Cessna182 N225EA created at the main hangar and (retired) Control Tower at RGV Wing Commemorative Airport in Los Fresnos, Texas.

Light Painting Cessna 182 N225EA in Texas

Light Painting Three Harley-Davidson's at RGV Wing Commemorative Airport

Right after the light painting of the Cessna 182, we set up Erick's 3 Harley-Davidson's using the cool brick walls and old doors on the hangar as the backdrop.

Since the bikes would have been in the distant background of the Cessna, we didn't move them in place the photography for that image was completed. Since it was well after dark, we used the headlights on my rental car to lock the camera in focus, and then he went at it! A long exposure brought out some nice color in the sky.

We don't know why, but we haven't light-painted many motorcycles (yet). We certainly hope to do more, because we just love how this image turned out!

A cool light painted photograph of three Harley's. From left to right, we have a 2023 Harley-Davidson “Fat Boy”, a 2025 Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide Ultra, and a 2023 Harley-Davidson Breakout. This one-of-a-kind image was created at RGV Wing Commemorative Airport in Los Fresnos, Texas.

Light Painting Three Harley's in Texas

Light Painting Three Ford Shelby's in Texas

The night after light painting the Cessna 182, and the trio of Harley's, I was back at it at RGV Wing Commemorative Airport in Los Fresnos, Texas. This time, yet another pleasant surprise was added that turned this into a two-project night as well!

The main event that night was of three Ford Shelbys. At that time, I was unaware that Shelby even did Ford trucks! Well, now I know! Mother Nature tossed in a spectacular sky at sunset that included the remnants of a thunderstorm off in the distance.

A cool light painted photograph of three Ford Shelbys. From left to right, we have a 2022 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang, a 2022 Ford Shelby F-150 Truck Offroad Series, and a, 2024 Ford Shelby Super Snake Mustang. This pretty light painted image was created on the tarmac at RGV Wing Commemorative Airport in Los Fresnos, Texas.

Light Painting Three Ford Shelby's in Texas

Light Painting a 2025 Harley-Davidson Custom Street Bob with a 2024 Harley-Davidson Nightster Special

After seeing the cool possibilities from the night before, Erick decided to create one more light painting of his girlfriend, Cristal's, Harleys! she was out of town, so he did this as a surprise for her!

She has pretty good taste when it comes to her bikes. On the left we have a 2025 Harley-Davidson Custom Street Bob and on the right, we've got a 2024 Harley-Davidson Nightster Special.

This one was light-painted right after the image of the 3-Ford Shelby's was completed. So freakin' cool!

A cool light painted photograph of two more Harley's created at RGV Wing Commemorative Airport in Los Fresnos, Texas. On the left is a 2025 Harley-Davidson Custom Street Bob, and, on the right, a 2024 Harley-Davidson Nightster Special. This one-of-a-kind image was created at RGV Wing Commemorative Airport in Los Fresnos, Texas. It was the 4th project in two nights on that light painting trip!

Light Painting Two More Harley's in Texas

Light Painting a 2015 C7 Corvette Z06 in Oklahoma

I met the car's owner's, Chad and Shelly, at the "Corvettes in Paradise" show held annually in late April in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. It was there that I awarded them my “Photographers Choice Award” for their stunning C7 Corvette Z06.

To save on travel time and costs, we set up a light painting trip to their home state of Oklahoma for this, and three other projects. Each one of them turned out absolutely amazing! The side-benefit was that Joannie and I got to see parts of the country that we've never experienced before! That's a win-win!

Chad and Shelly arranged to have their image created at the ranch house of their good friends, Kevin & Donna. We loved meeting them, and went to visit their bar, The Lodge on Main Street, in Broken Arrow, the next evening for a fun night on the town!

This beautiful light painting of a 2015 C7 Corvette Z06 was created in Oklahoma. I met the owners, Chad and Shelly, at Lake of the Ozark's Corvette Club annual show back in April.

Light Painting a 2015 C7 Corvette Z06 in Oklahoma

Light Painting Gearhead Curios and the Vintage Texaco Station on Route 66

After Chad and Shelly's cool project, Joannie and I spent a couple of great off-days exploring the Tulsa area, as well as parts of Route 66. We really loved Route 66 and the historic buildings and tourist spots.

On our way to Tulsa from Kansas City, we had stumbled upon Gearhead Curios and the Vintage Texaco Station in Galena, Kansas. After seeing it, I really wanted to light paint it, so we set it up with Aaron, the owner of the place to do so.

The whole story - and it's a great one, can be found in the "Travel and Wildlife" section on our sister website (www.adesignerportraits.com) by clicking on the button below the cool final artwork.

Light Painting Gearhead Curios and the Vintage Texaco Station on Route 66 in Galena, Kansas

Light Painting a Long Beach Red 2016 C7 Corvette Z06 in Oklahoma

The very next night, Joannie and I were back at it again. This time, we were taken by surprise when we arrived at our light painting destination.

Just like Chad and Shelly, I had met Tom and Amanda at "Corvettes in Paradise" in April in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. They're members of the same Corvette Club in Oklahoma. So, when they commissioned us to create an artwork of their Corvette for them at the show, we naturally set it up for the same light painting trip.

Tom had an idea in mind for his location, he just needed to get permission to use it. He certainly did! And, when Joannie and I pulled up, we instantly knew this was going to be an epic project!

As you'll see below, we created four separate light paintings of their stunning Long Beach Red Z06 Corvette that night. But I'd have to say that this one, with a large portion of the mansion as the backdrop, is the most eye-catching of them all!

Once we had the project "In the can" that night, Tom requested that, if possible, I add a Blood Moon to go with the custom hand-painted hood and trunk liners on the Corvette. I was able to grant his request in post-production!

A stunning light painted photograph of Tom and Amanda's amazing Long Beach Red 2016 C7 Corvette Z06! Tom got us permission to create their project at a beautiful mansion in Oklahoma! Both the Corvette Z06’s hood and trunk liners feature custom hand-painted artworks with blood moons. So, as per Tom’s request, I added one to the final image in post-production!

This engine compartment light painting is so darn cool! The custom, hand-painted hood liner featuring a bald eagle and a blood moon is the icing on the cake!

Placing a camera inside any Corvette to light paint the interior is never easy. However, when successful, the final results are certainly worth it! The interior of Tom and Amanda's Long Beach Red 2016 C7 Corvette Z06, with the custom hand-painted hood liner seen through the windshield, looks amazing!

The custom, hand-painted trunk liner featuring a soaring bald eagle and another blood moon makes this light-painted image even better! Tom and Amanda's Corvette Z06 is so very cool!

Light Painting a Corvette at a Mansion

Light Painting a 2016 Bentley Continental GT Speed with a 2025 C8 Corvette E-Ray

The net morning, we departed Tulsa, Oklahoma, and headed further south toward Hot Springs, Arkansas. This would be a project with two car types that we've never light painted before - a Bentley with a Corvette. Yes, we've light painted dozens of Corvettes, but never an E-Ray!

Actually, we had no idea that we were going to light-paint a Bentley until we arrived. Upon our arrival, Lee asked if it was ok to have the Bentley added with the Corvette. And, well, that's a no-brainer for me!

I had met Lee and his wife, Heidi, back in 2023 at "Corvettes in Paradise" held annually by the Lake of the Ozarks Corvette Club. At the time, their stunning Torch Red 2023 C8 Corvette Stingray was the first C8 that I'd ever light painted (and it certainly was not the last). They found a great location to create it too - pretty Seven Springs Winery in nearby Lynn Creek, Missouri.

A few weeks before this trip, I received a text from Lee asking if I had availability to light paint is new Corvette. I texted back about our plans to go to Oklahoma and told him we could go there afterwards. He came back asking if we could create it at their lake home in Hot Springs. That sounded like a great idea to us - we were in!

This project was so fun to create! Besides the two amazing cars - the beautiful wooded setting, the cool metal sculpture of the two horses, and the sunset through the trees, were all nice added touches.

Lee and Heidi always come up with great spots to light paint their cool automobiles. I'm already looking forward to their next one!

Lee and Heidi's stunning light light painting of their 2016 Bentley Continental GT Speed along with their red-hot 2025 C8 Corvette E-Ray (with a Callaway Supercharger and exhaust). The metal sculpture of the two horses looks pretty cool light painted too!

Light Painting a Bentley and a Corvette E-Ray

Light Painting a '63 Split-Window Corvette under the Aurora Borealis

Our long-time friend, Jean, really loves Corvettes. We've light painted her fantastic '57, nicknamed "Chaos", and her '58, nicknamed "Rebel", on more than one occasion over the years.

Both of those wonderful C1's are named after two of her Shelties. And, on more than one occasion, we've light painted both Corvettes with their namesakes featured in the final artworks. And here's a fun fact: I actually found the '58 for her at Barrett-Jackson back in 2020!

So, when she acquired this stunning '63 a couple of years ago (named after another of her Shelties, "Stormy", I was hoping she might ask me to light-paint it someday. Well, that day arrived!

It would be my first-ever light painting of "Split-Window" C2 Corvette and I was more than a little excited (they only made them one year, in 1963)! The fact that the Northern Lights were out that evening was the icing on the cake for this one-of-a-kind light painted artwork!

A stunning light painted photograph of a beautiful 1963 "Split-Window" Corvette under the Aurora Borealis in Minnesota.

Light Painting a '63 "Split-Window" Corvette under the Northern Lights

Light Painting 2000 Velocity Experimental Aircraft NB32AB in North Carolina

Seven days after our return home from South Dakota, I was on a Delta flight to North Carolina for two light painting projects. Both of these were commissioned at EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh. The first one was of the 2000 Velocity Experimental Aircraft NB32AB and I would be staying with the plane's owners, Grover and Teri, at their wonderful home.

What made this light painting project more than a little unique, was its specific location. The plane was setup at the hangars that were right in between two of the main runways at Raleigh-Durham International Airport! One thing was for sure, it wasn't the quietest place to light paint! We had commercial airliners, in very close proximity, taking off and landing all evening long!

Other than the noise, I had a few things to contend with that night that were a challenge. First off, we hit the darn dew point once again (what else is new?). Second, we had no control over any ambient lighting. So, that meant the security lights on all of the nearby hangars were always on.

Remarkably, I was able to take care of the dew on the Velocity and the orange colored light that was being cast on it from the security lights in post-production. Instead of making passes across the entire aircraft with my lights, I made dozens of short ones to minimized the "orange effect". It worked.

Oh, and once we finished the light painting, Grover asked me if we could turn the plane around and light paint the front of the plane! Two light painting projects on the trip had now turned into three. By this time, the Velocity was very wet. But hey, I didn't fly all that way to North Carolina to not light paint, so why not give it a try? Using lots of towels, and more than a little magic in post, both versions turned out amazing!

Here's the first of two cool light paintings of 2000 Velocity Experimental Aircraft NB32AB that Grover and I created that night. Both mages were created right in the middle of all the action at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The second light painting project of the night was the front view of 2000 Velocity Experimental Aircraft NB32AB. Between all of the dew on the aircraft, and the ambient light all around us, this was a tricky project to pull off (twice)!

Light Painting a 2000 Velocity Experimental Aircraft in North Carolina

Light Painting a 1972 Buick Skylark Convertible in the Mountains of North Carolina

On our way back to their home from the Velocity's light painting, Grover asked me if I would be up to another project the following night. I had an extra day set aside incase of bad weather, so I was certainly available.

Then, he proceeded to tell me about his Fathers' Buick Skylark. It had been in the family for many years and he personally had restored it to better-than-new. If I was interested, it would mean that we'd have to drive a few hours away to their cabin in the mountains in the morning.

Since I don't think I would ever say no to an opportunity to light paint something, and the thought of staying in the mountains of North Carolina during the peak fall colors, I, of course said "Yes!" And I'm so glad that I did! Everything about this cool add-on project was amazing! The Buick, the fall colors, and hanging out with Grover at their cabin in the mountains, I didn't want to leave!

This meant that I now had four amazing light painting projects on this trip to North Carolina. Sweet!

Here's the finished artwork of Grover and Teri's wonderful 1972 Buick Skylark Convertible and their cabin in the mountains of North Carolina. It was very difficult leaving these beautiful surroundings. However, the next night would bring me to yet another fantastic project at another beautiful location in North Carolina! Man, I do love what I do!

Light Painting a 1972 Buick Skylark Convertible in North Carolina

Light Painting Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Helicopter N505S - Version One

The next morning, I had to leave Grover and Teri's wonderful cabin in the mountains. It was time to head to the Charlotte area for what was now light painting project number 4. Even though leaving that beautiful area was difficult, I was supper jazzed about the project that was scheduled for that evening. My very-first light painting of a helicopter! And, this one, a Bell 505 Jet Ranger X, is a beauty!

I would be staying with Mike and his wife, Regina, at their beautiful lake home on Lake Norman. The really cool thing about this project, other than the helicopter itself, was that it would be sitting on a helipad about 25 feet above Lake Norman!

I arrived, got settled in, and enjoyed a wonderful dinner, (with a stunning lake view) that Regina had prepared for all of us. After dinner, it was time to get serious about that night's project.

There were certainly many options as to how to photograph the Bell 505. Because the scene was so darn pretty, we decided to go with a vertical orientation (I don't do many of those). That way, it was both about the helicopter and also about the stunning view of it from their lake home too. Both of those things were important to Mike and Regina, so vertical it would be.

To line up everything perfectly, I actually had my Canon R5 camera, on my Pro Media Gear tripod, set up and aimed through an open window inside Mike's office. As you can see in the final artwork below, it turned out absolutely stunning!

Please click on the button below the final artwork to be taken to the whole story about this version on our sister website.

Here's the pretty "scenic view" light painting of Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Helicopter N505S resting on its helipad over Lake Norman in North Carolina.

Light Painting Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Helicopter N505S in North Carolina - Version One

Light Painting Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Helicopter N505S - Version Two

So, we had the first light painting shot all setup, it was time to wait for the sun to set. I casually mentioned that it would have been cool to have them in the light painting. Mike really liked that idea (Regina, not so much). In fact, he liked it so much that we decided to give it a go (Regina would be letting Mike be in the image all by himself)!

There were multiple obstacles that we had to overcome to do this for Mike. Number one was that we'd setup, what was now looking like it was going to be the first light painting, as a scenic shot. So simply adding Mike to it would mean that he would be very small in the image. That meant either scrapping that idea, or changing everything to get a closer view of the Bell 505 so that Mike would be a decent size in the final artwork.

There was also a third option. Using a second camera to get the new version and have two. We chose the latter. That meant there would now be a total of five projects on this North Carolina trip! Cool!

However, that third option opened up a whole new can of worms.

You see, while I always travel with two Canon R5 camera bodies and lenses, I did not have a second tripod with me. When you light-paint, the camera has got to be very stable so that all of the images all line up in post-production. With the luggage size and weight restrains on commercial flights, I only fly with one. (Update: that situation has been rectified, as I've picked up another, travel-sized carbon-fiber tripod for future trips via commercial airlines.)

We would have to improvise, and boy, did we ever!

Mike and I devised, on very short notice, a rather crude, but effective, mock tripod. We went all-in, "MacGyver Style", by using the tripod collar on our Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens and the railing on Mike and Regina's deck as the "tripod"! By doing so, we managed to get a second light painting camera rig set up so that we could have a light painting that had Mike featured nicely along with his Bell 505 Helicopter.

Oh yeah, then we held everything in place using a dime to tilt the camera down slightly, and painter's tape, of all things, to hold everything in place on the railing! Crazy! Our home-made contraption is pictured below, as well as the final artwork of Mike and the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X below that.

Please click on the button under the final artwork to be taken to the full story about "Version Two" on our sister website.

Here's our "MacGyver Style" tripod! We used the deck railing, the tripod collar on the lens, a dime, and painter's tape, to hold everything in place! Crazy, but it worked!

Here's Mike's light painted portrait with his amazing Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Helicopter resting on its helipad over Lake Norman.

Light Painting Bell 505 Jet Ranger X Helicopter N505S - Version Two

Light Painting "Santa's Magic Workshop"

We closed out 2025 with non-other than Santa Claus himself! The return of "Santa's Magic Workshop" at the studio was so fun and rewarding. And, once again, we raised money to help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis in memory of our sweet Goddaughter, Lindsey.

By light painting our beautiful set, the final Christmas artworks that we create for our clients really "come to life"! Our plan is for "Santa's Enchanted Forest" to return for Christmas in 2026. You can check it all out at the link below to our dedicated website for all things Santa Claus - at The Best Santa Experience!

A wonderful Christmas photograph of Santa Claus with eight cousins helping him make toys in his Magical Workshop. This annual tradition is part of The Best Santa Experience created by Michael Anderson Photography in Mounds View, Minnesota.

The Best Santa Experience Website

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