I’ve photographed a lot of airplanes. Sales listings. Broker marketing. “Stand here and make it shiny” kind of work.

This wasn’t that. In October 2025, Amanda Thorpe called and asked me to photograph two completely custom aircraft interiors — a Gulfstream G500 and a Falcon 2000LXS right here at a completion facility in Wisconsin.

This shoot was different. This was about storytelling. And honestly… it’s one of my favorite aviation photography projects I’ve done as of late.

The Gulfstream G500: Warm Precision

The G500 interior stopped me pretty quickly. On paper, it’s neutral. Cream leather. Deep walnut veneer. Brushed metal hardware. Soft textiles. In person? It’s layered.

The perforated leather seat inserts aren’t just perforated — they’re rhythm.
The stitching is quiet but deliberate.
The wood isn’t just glossy — it’s sculpted, wrapped, continuous.

Even the drawer interiors had tailored fabric lining. Who does that? Amanda does.

The galley stone? Clean veining. Minimal. Confident.
The hardware? Substantial without being loud.
The touch panels disappear into the veneer until you need them.

It feels like a high-end residence that happens to fly at 40,000 feet and as someone who’s been on hundreds of aircraft, I can say this confidently: the execution is elite. Nothing feels accidental.

The Falcon 2000LXS: Cohesive, But Distinct

What I loved is that the Falcon didn’t feel like a copy.

There’s continuity in material tone and restraint, but the layout, the seating flow, and the visual pacing are its own thing.

The subtle blue textiles against the cream leather? Perfect tension.
The balance of hard and soft materials? Thoughtful.
The perforation details carry through, but differently.

Amanda designed both interiors, and even the aircraft exteriors, to complement each other without competing.

That’s not easy.

Why This Shoot Meant Something

This was my third time working at this facility.

Eight years ago, I photographed custom wall art for this client’s flight department.
Last year, I came back to shoot one of their aircraft for sale through a broker client of mine.

Then Amanda calls in 2025 to document two full interior design projects.

Full circle. In Wisconsin. Of all places.

And instead of marketing photos, this time it was about the story behind the design.

We photographed:

• Detail textures
• Hardware and veneer transitions
• Galley craftsmanship
• The cockpit of the G500 (because you can’t not photograph that flight deck)
• Amanda in the cabin, interacting with the space she created

Even my ex-wife Melissa Alderton came up to capture some portraits during the shoot.

It felt collaborative. Easy. Focused.

What Makes Amanda Thorpe Design Different

Detail obsession.

Not flashy. Not trendy. Not over-designed.

Just incredibly well considered.

• Perforation patterns that actually complement the seat geometry
• Textiles that soften gloss veneer
• Hidden technology that doesn’t scream “tech”
• Exterior paint schemes that tie the fleet together

When luxury is done right, it doesn’t announce itself.
It just feels correct.

That’s what this felt like.

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I shoot a lot of aircraft for sales and marketing.

This one felt different.

This felt like photographing architecture… at altitude.

Design by Amanda Thorpe Design.
Photography by Taylor Greenwood.