Welcome to A Spotter Abroad!
My name is Patrick Lalande and I am an aviation photographer currently living in Curacao, a Dutch Caribbean island.
Aviation has been my passion since I was five years old. I enjoyed a 14 year career in the Royal Canadian Air Force, flying on the mighty CP-140 Aurora. My travels in the RCAF exposed me to many different airplanes from many different countries. I am retired from the RCAF but continue to work in aviation as a full-time aircraft crew member.
My experience at the 2008 Royal Netherlands Air Force Open Day airshow in Leeuwarden, Netherlands, shooting with a “point-and-shoot” camera, was the catalyst to continually improve my images. I now have better gear and continue to learn and develop with every new shoot.
Much to my wife’s dismay, I often rush out of the house to photograph airplanes, only to return after potentially hours of delay and updates that “I’ll be home soon”. Our vacation plans tend to revolve around airports, airbases, airshows and other aviation events because…that’s what vacations are for, right?!
I am a member of the International Society for Aviation Photography.
You can follow me on Instagram and Facebook for more of my work.