Photo by: Mike McGowan.
Some of the most incredible skydives of the past decade—whether they were record-shattering competition moments, breathtaking sunset pyrotechnics or vehicles launched from an aircraft tailgate—have been captured through David Cherry’s camera lens. That’s because, as many in the industry know well, he’s a consummate professional who achieves excellence in each project he undertakes. And flying a camera isn’t the only tool in his toolbox; Cherry is also a skilled and accomplished instructor, organizer and rigger.
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“David Cherry is one of those rare, low-key talents who quietly elevates everything around him. His priority is always to do the job right—not for attention, but because excellence matters to him. He’s genuine, trustworthy and brings an honesty to every interaction that makes people instantly comfortable. On top of that, he’s an exceptional skydiver who can fly multiple disciplines while carrying a massive camera setup, all with an artist’s eye for capturing moments in their most beautiful form.” –Amy Chmelecki, Parachutist profilee #46
Nickname: Cherrybomb
Age: 39
Birthplace: San Jose, California
Marital Status: Married
Children: None
Pets: Two dogs
Education: BFA in Graphic Design from Virginia Commonwealth University
Hobbies: Cameras, hiking, camping, looking at airplanes
Favorite Food: I do love a good cheeseburger.
Life Philosophy: Everything in moderation, including moderation.
Jump Philosophy: Plan the jump, jump the plan.
Sponsors: Larsen & Brusgaard, Performance Designs, SSK, United Parachute Technologies, Vertical Suits
Container: UPT Vector 3 305-1
Main Canopy: PD Valkyrie Hybrid 75
Reserve: PD Optimum 113
AAD: Airtec CYPRES 2 Speed
Disciplines: Freefly, angle, camera
Home DZ: I started at Skydive Orange; now I call Skydive Arizona my home.
Year of First Jump: 2011
Licenses/Ratings: A-61719, B-36251, C-40007, D-33500; USPA AFF-I and Coach; FAA Senior Rigger
Records: Virginia large-formation head-down, Virginia women’s large-formation FS full-break sequential, Arizona women’s FS large-formation and sequential large-formation (all as camera)
Total Jumps: 5,300-plus
Freefly: 2,300-plus
Camera: 2,300-plus
FS: 300-plus
Flocking: 200-plus
Largest completed formation: As camera, the 60-way women’s Arizona FS record. As an inside flyer, probably a 20(ish)-way freefly.
Cutaways: 5,300 jumps without any and then one right before this went to print.
Most people don't know this about me:
I am a second-generation skydiver (had enough jumps in the womb for my B license), and I worked for USPA as a graphic designer before starting to jump.
Is there one jump that stands out?
The 2025 Cleared Hot Vet Boogie promotional jump. We launched a car out of a Skyvan, with four “brave” guys inside, at Skydive Arizona. It was a crazy visual to see the car floating in space and knowing it was going to crash into the desert below. Shooting video for a stunt of that caliber had been a goal of mine since I first got into video flying.
What are your future skydiving goals?
Continuing to learn and progress my own skills, while also sharing that knowledge with newer jumpers. My next and long-term goal would be getting to be a part of larger cinematic production projects flying video.
Any suggestions for students?
Be a sponge. Take your time, ask questions and immerse yourself in the environment.
What's the most badass thing you can do in the air?
Frame and freeze a moment, click the shutter with a remote tongue switch and know in that instant that I got a great shot.
If you could do a fantasy 2-way with anybody, whom would it be with and where would it take place?
An angle jump with my former teammate, David Wybenga. He passed away in early 2022, but was a big part of my progression—we actually started AFF on the same day at Skydive Orange. He was my best friend, and we shared a lot of great memories together over the years.
Greatest competition moment?
I was working media production for USPA during a Nationals at Skydive Paraclete XP, and was set to jump with a super experienced 16-way team, including Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld, Kirk Verner and Craig Girard. I added up the number of jumps between the team members and there were more than 160,000 collective skydives on that single jump. It was a fantastic skydive and I got some really nice shots of their formations.
Most embarrassing moment at a DZ:
Smacking the pond at Z-Hills in 2017 at my first ever swoop competition, on a warm-up jump. Sorry, mom, if you’re reading this and just finding out.
Someday I am going to own …
An airplane! I eventually want to earn my pilot certificate and be able to travel by flying myself.
What do you consider your most significant life achievement?
Making a living out of skydiving. I have many “hustles” that allow me to live a certain lifestyle and basically skydive full-time. I get to utilize my degree in graphic design, which led to the photography and videography and drone flying, as well as utilizing my senior-rigger certificate to pack for military contracts.
What was your strangest freefall thought?
What time is it? I’m hungry.
Suggestions for USPA:
Invest more time and money in the membership as well as external sport promotion.
Best skydiving moment?
There are so many it’s hard to choose, but probably getting my first Parachutist cover shot. Having been the graphic designer for USPA, I used to help choose the cover shots and then years later getting my shot featured was a huge accomplishment.
Weirdest skydiving moment?
Rappelling and then hanging from a hot-air balloon on a climbing rope and harness at 10,000 feet. I was filming my then-girlfriend (now wife) Leah as she settled into a swing she had made from recycled parachute material, dangling under the balloon. It felt so strange to be hanging from an aircraft and then rappelling off the end of the rope to enter freefall.
What is your perfect day like?
My wife and I have done it a few times in the past; we call it American Ninja Warrior day. Start with a big breakfast, make a skydive (either dynamic, flocking or both), do some tunnel time, lunch, nap, take the dogs on a hike, shoot some firearms, then dinner and a movie.
Any tips for new camera flyers?
Learn the camera specifics on the ground, become proficient without the camera in the discipline that you want to capture and don’t be afraid to make some mistakes along the way. Photography is experimental, so never stop trying new things.
Describe the pressure of a record jump:
They can be stressful with the pressure of capturing the fleeting moments of other’s achievements, but they can also be super rewarding, even when the record doesn’t quite come together in the end.
Explain David Cherry in five words:
Creative, honest, genuine, loyal, calculated.