A smiling man with a shaved head wearing a blue shirt, standing outdoors with blurred green and orange foliage in the background.

Welcome to A Spotter Abroad — a platform dedicated to aviation photography and plane spotting from locations around the world, with a strong focus on aircraft movements across the Caribbean and beyond.

My name is Patrick Lalande, a freelance aviation photographer and writer currently based in Curaçao.

Aviation has been a lifelong passion since the age of five, ultimately leading to a 14-year career in the Royal Canadian Air Force, where I flew on the CP-140 Aurora. Following my military service, I retired from the RCAF but continue to work professionally within the aviation sector.

When not flying, I can usually be found airside or near the runway, camera in hand, documenting aircraft of all types, from commercial airliners to military visitors and special liveries. My photography aims to capture both the technical and visual character of aviation, whether during routine operations or unique movements.

My work has been featured in several aviation publications, including Skies Magazine, Combat Aircraft Journal, and other industry outlets, both in print and digital formats. I was honoured to have one of my photographs on the April-may 2024 issue cover of Skies Magazine.

In 2025, my work was nominated for an Aerospace Media Award in the Best Commercial Aviation Submission category.

The Aerospace Media Awards recognize excellence in aviation journalism, photography, and editorial storytelling across global industry publications. The awards gala was held in Paris in June 2025, bringing together contributors and media professionals from across the aerospace sector.

While I did not take home the award, the nomination represents meaningful professional recognition and reflects the publication standard and industry reach of my aviation photography.

I am always interested in opportunities to collaborate with airports, airlines, and aviation organizations for event coverage, airside photography, and editorial features.

All images and written content published on this website remain my intellectual property and are protected under copyright law. Commercial use, resale, or redistribution is not permitted without prior written consent.

Cover of SKIES magazine featuring a seaplane taking off from water with the sun setting behind trees in the background. The title reads "SKIES" with the subtitle "Aviation is Our Passion" and mentions a 2019 photo contest won by Simon Blakesley.

Cover image of Skies magazine featuring a yellow rescue helicopter flying over snowy mountainous terrain with evergreen trees, commemorating the final flight of the Buffalo helicopter.

Cover of Spotter Magazine, Issue 39, featuring a military aircraft inside a hangar and a helicopter flying at dusk. The headline mentions the farewell to Indian IL-38 Sea Dragon and highlights various aviation topics.

Cover of Skies magazine, April/May 2024, featuring a military aircraft in flight with a blue sky background. The cover story is about narcotics interdiction in Curaçao.

Cover of Air Forces Monthly magazine featuring a Turkish F-35 fighter jet in flight, with headlines about Turkish jets, Iranian Navy exercises, and RAF Lightning Force Commander.

Magazine cover of Combat Aircraft Journal featuring a fighter jet in flight with afterburners on, with headlines about military aircraft, strikes, and international conflicts.

Cover of Air Forces Monthly magazine featuring a fighter jet in flight, with headlines about military aviation, NATO, and international conflicts.

Magazine cover of Aviation News with a view from an airplane window showing a rainy day scene at an airport. A Ryanair airplane is parked on the tarmac, with raindrops on the window through which the photo is taken. The cover features headlines about

Magazine cover of 'Aviation News' with a silhouette of a vintage biplane flying at sunset, trees in the foreground, and headlines about aviation heritage and military aircraft.

Cover of Aviation News magazine featuring a face-to-face comparison of a Russian fighter jet and a Western fighter jet in flight, with headlines about military aviation and interception strategies.