Former Corpus Christi photographer killed in plane crash, remembered for 'creative' style
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VIDEO COURTESY OF JAKE GONZALES
A former Corpus Christi photographer and surfer was the pilot of a plane that crashed Friday in West Texas, state authorities said.
Dallas Lee McMahon, 33, of Austin and Jay Robert Leibson, 38, of Burnet, were both killed when the plane crashed in Fisher County, according to Department of Public Safety officials.
McMahon was a professional photographer and graphic designer.
Dallas McMahon
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/JON STEELE
He specialized in aerial photography and also had a following for his talents capturing surfing, which is prominently featured on his website.
Ethan Thompson, a professor of Media Arts at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, said McMahon was his student 10 years ago.
"Dallas was a kind and creative person who loved being outside, doing things and making things," Thompson wrote the Caller-Times in a Facebook message. "He was a very talented photographer, and he turned it into his profession. He loved surfing and the outdoors, and sharing those things with his friend and through his photography."
Before moving to Austin, McMahon worked for New Wave Photography. Ryan Graham, New Wave's owner, said McMahon was an employee of the company before Graham bought it in 2014.
"He was instrumental in the foundation of New Wave Photography," Graham said. "It's special to me to have purchased what he was a part of."
McMahon's work varied from skateboarding and surfing to landscape and weddings.
"He had the skills for photography, web design ... he was like a jack of all trades," Graham said. "His artistic style and presentation made his work stand out. Just looking at his work it was clear — his style was unique."
Graham said McMahon was always helpful to other photographers and enthusiasts, offering tips and exchanging ideas.
"He would always talk shop with anyone. He's responsible for my jump into professional photography. He convinced me to take what I was doing on the side and turn it into a career. He showed me what was possible," he said.
McMahon's photography was often displayed at Texas Surf Museum alongside that of Jon Steele, a professional photographer from California.
"He was amazingly outgoing and always stoked," Steele told the Caller-Times. "We were friends forever."
Steele said McMahon had a passion for art and music. He played a mandolin.
"He was always so fired up. He never said 'no' to anything. He was excited about any opportunity. His new job with aerial photography was amazing. He was taking some beautiful shots."
McMahon is listed an employee at Aero Photo, an aerial photography company based in St. Petersburg, Florida. Aero Photo has an operational base near Austin.
"He doing exactly was he loved to do," Steele said. "For him to go this way ... you can't be bummed that he left that way. He was doing what he loves — making art. That's how we all want to go."
Leibson also worked for Aero Photo; the company's website lists him as one of its pilots.
Federal Aviation Administration records show Leibson has had a commercial pilot license since December 2013. He was also a certified flight instructor and was qualified to fly single- and multi-engine aircraft.
DPS reported the Cessna 172N they were flying apparently struck power lines Friday afternoon, about 10 miles northwest of Rotan. The plane crashed at the bottom of a canyon just before 4:30 p.m., according to DPS.
Weather conditions were clear. The crash is under investigation.
Dallas McMahon, a former Corpus Christi resident, was killed in a plane crash in Fisher County. He was known for his skills as a photographer.
COURTESY GOFUNDME
Fisher County is a rural and has a small population — estimated at 3,880 in 2017, according to census figures.
While the county has some flat terrain, there are remote sections with gullies and brush, making access difficult.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise $15,000 for McMahon's memorial fund. As of Monday, nearly $10,000 had been raised.
McMahon, a Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi graduate, had his own photography business in Corpus Christi and also worked at the Texas Surf Museum, according to the GoFundMe page.
The Abilene Reporter-News contributed to this report.
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