Aviation Week Photographer | Sean Michael Hower Magazine Cover

Aviation Week photographer Sean Michael Hower had his work featured on the cover of Aviation Week & Space Technology’s 2019 Photo Issue. The photograph, captured over Niagara Falls in Canada, combines an extraordinary natural landscape with aviation overhead to create a dramatic editorial image.

Having photography selected for a magazine cover is always an honor. However, a cover photograph has to accomplish more than simply look impressive. It must immediately capture attention, communicate a story, and work within the publication’s overall design.

For Sean, this cover represents one of many opportunities throughout his career to create photography for publications, businesses, brands, and commercial clients.

Aviation Week Photographer Featured on the 2019 Photo Issue

The photograph featured on the cover of Aviation Week & Space Technology brings together two visually powerful subjects: aviation and Niagara Falls.

Creating an image in an environment like this requires timing, composition, technical preparation, and the ability to anticipate action. In addition, the photograph needs to communicate the enormous scale of the landscape while keeping the aviation element visually compelling.

The resulting photograph was selected for the magazine’s 2019 Photo Issue cover.

Readers can learn more about Aviation Week & Space Technology on its official website and follow Aviation Week on Instagram.

What Makes a Strong Magazine Cover Photograph?

A strong magazine cover photograph combines visual impact, storytelling, composition, and technical quality while leaving enough flexibility for the publication’s design and typography.

Magazine photography presents a unique creative challenge.

The photographer isn’t creating an image that will always appear by itself. Instead, editors and designers may need room for the publication’s masthead, headlines, cover lines, and other graphic elements.

Therefore, composition becomes especially important.

At the same time, the photograph still needs enough visual impact to make someone stop and look.

The Aviation Week cover accomplished both goals by combining an instantly recognizable destination with the scale and movement of aviation.

Why Is Editorial Photography Different?

Editorial photography is created to support a story, subject, publication, or idea rather than simply document how something looks.

A successful editorial photograph can introduce a person, establish a location, communicate action, or give readers a better understanding of the story.

For that reason, strong editorial photography often depends on anticipation.

The photographer needs to recognize what is happening, determine the strongest composition, and capture the moment when all of the visual elements come together.

That experience also translates naturally into commercial photography.

From Aviation Photography to Commercial Photography

Although Sean is based on Maui, Hawaii, his photography career has taken him well beyond the Hawaiian Islands.

Working in different environments teaches a photographer to adapt quickly to changing light, weather, locations, subjects, and creative requirements.

As a result, Sean brings a broad editorial perspective to the commercial photography he creates for clients today.

His work includes:

• Commercial photography
• Editorial photography
• Corporate photography
• Hospitality and resort photography
• Architectural photography
• Real estate photography
• Tourism and destination photography
• Corporate event photography
• Advertising photography
• Professional videography
• FAA-certified drone photography and video

Whether the subject is aviation over Niagara Falls or a commercial project in Hawaii, the objective remains similar: create imagery that communicates a story and captures attention.

Why Does Published Photography Matter to Commercial Clients?

Published photography demonstrates a photographer’s ability to create images that meet professional editorial and visual communication requirements.

Editors, designers, marketing teams, and creative directors often need photographs for very specific purposes.

Likewise, commercial clients need imagery that can perform across multiple platforms.

For example, a Maui resort may need photographs for its website, social media, advertising, public relations, and printed marketing materials. A corporate client may need photography for an annual report, press coverage, recruiting, and internal communications.

Meanwhile, a tourism organization may need imagery that immediately communicates the experience of visiting a destination.

In every case, beautiful photography is only part of the equation.

The images also need to work.

Professional Commercial Photography on Maui

Today, Sean brings his publication and editorial experience to businesses seeking professional commercial photography on Maui and throughout Hawaii.

At Sean Michael Hower Photography, we work with businesses, publications, resorts, hospitality companies, tourism organizations, corporate clients, real estate professionals, event producers, and brands.

Before photographing a project, we consider what the finished imagery needs to accomplish.

Does it need to sell an experience?

Should it showcase a property?

Does the client need to introduce the people behind a business?

Will the photographs appear in advertising, editorial coverage, social media, or a website?

Answering those questions helps determine how a project should be photographed and which visual approach will best support the client’s goals.

Photography, Video and Drone Services in Hawaii

Modern marketing often requires more than still photography.

Therefore, Sean Michael Hower Photography also provides professional video production and FAA-certified aerial photography and videography.

Combining photography, video, and aerial imagery gives businesses a more complete collection of visual assets. Additionally, that content can be adapted for websites, advertising campaigns, social media, public relations, presentations, print publications, and other marketing channels.

For projects where an aerial perspective adds to the story, explore our Maui drone photography and video services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who photographed the Aviation Week cover over Niagara Falls?

Aviation Week photographer Sean Michael Hower created the photograph featured on the cover of Aviation Week & Space Technology’s 2019 Photo Issue shown in this article. The photograph was captured over Niagara Falls in Canada.

Where is Sean Michael Hower based?

Sean Michael Hower is based on Maui, Hawaii. He provides professional photography, commercial video production, and aerial imagery for clients throughout Hawaii and for projects beyond the islands.

Does Sean Michael Hower photograph editorial assignments?

Yes. Sean’s experience includes editorial and publication photography as well as commercial work for businesses, brands, hospitality clients, corporate organizations, and other clients.

What is editorial photography?

Editorial photography uses photographs to help communicate a story, subject, person, location, or idea. Unlike a traditional portrait or product photograph, editorial imagery is often created specifically to support a larger story or publication.

Does Sean provide commercial photography on Maui?

Yes. Sean provides commercial photography for businesses, hospitality companies, resorts, publications, tourism organizations, real estate professionals, corporate clients, and brands on Maui and throughout Hawaii.

Does Sean provide professional drone photography and video?

Yes. Sean is an FAA-certified drone pilot and provides professional aerial photography and videography when weather, airspace, safety requirements, and location regulations allow.

Visual Storytelling From Niagara Falls to Maui

Being selected as an Aviation Week photographer for this magazine cover was a memorable recognition of an image captured in an extraordinary setting.

However, the same principles behind that photograph continue to influence the work Sean creates today.

Great photography should communicate something.

For a magazine, that might mean capturing the enormous scale of Niagara Falls alongside aviation. For a Maui resort, it might mean showing travelers what an oceanfront experience feels like. For a business, it could mean introducing the people behind the brand. For a corporate event, it may mean capturing both the scale of the gathering and the connections between attendees.

Although the subject changes, visual storytelling remains at the heart of the work.

If your business, publication, resort, organization, or brand needs professional photography, video production, or aerial imagery, contact Sean Michael Hower Photography to discuss your next project.