“As long as I can remember, I’ve always been into airplanes.” That is how Matt Sager describes the beginning of his lifelong love of aviation. His interest in airplanes also intersects with his talent in photography. He uses both to tell the stories of some of the most famed aircraft of the 20th century.

An airplane mechanic by trade, Sager also was a full-time photographer and operated his own business for several years. Eventually, his love for working on planes and keeping them airborne won out in the struggle between business and pleasure. He is back to turning wrenches full-time and now takes photos for enjoyment and special assignments.

Sager has taken countless photos of planes — he will take as many as 6,000 to 8,000 in a weekend photoshoot. He is known for his photos of vintage military aircraft, affectionately called warbirds. His photos show the aircraft in their most photogenic settings. Light, motion, composition — all fundamentals of good photography — are hallmarks of Sager’s work.

A photographer like Matt Sager has had many memorable experiences. Taking photos of famed pilot Bob Hoover’s P-51 Mustang is one that he remembers well. But like anyone who has experienced the white-knuckled thrill of flying in warbirds, he has come to value something intangible. “I have grown to appreciate what the airplanes represent. They are there to tell the story,” Matt said.

The same can be said for his photos.