Aerial photographs can not just convey a lot of information with one picture, but also tend to lift the spirits. There is something very special about the birds-eye view, which inspires photographers and viewers alike. Chandler Borries is a US travel, outdoor, and aerial photographer based in Lisbon. He started shooting aerial photography while traveling in Australia and says, Since I was young, I wanted to learn how to fly. The perspective from above always intrigued me. I love telling a story with a drone as it gives you a different perspective and worldview.
Once aerial shots were the prerogative of lavish high-budget productions because they usually required hiring a helicopter or small airplane. But since it became legal in the US in 2014 to use drones for photography, their use has skyrocketed everywhere, from Hollywood movies to reportage and commercial photography and videos. A report compiled by Allied Market Research shows that parallel to this, there is also a constantly increasing number of industrial applications. It has been estimated that the global aerial imaging market was worth $2.26bn in 2020 and is expected to rise to 8.52bn by 2030, with the most significant growth in the US.
Table of Contents
What is Aerial Photography?How Aerial Photography is UsedAerial Footage as a Storytelling DeviceMarketingEditorialBecoming a Professional Aerial PhotographerAerial Photography as Part of Your PhotographyPracticalitiesLearning How to Pilot a DroneEquipmentPractice and ExperienceHiring a Drone PilotAerial Photography PricingStanding Out from the Crowd
What is Aerial Photography?
What is Aerial Photography?
Anything photographed from a high vantage point can be classed as aerial photography. This can be a building or mountain, but more often is photographed from a drone or piloted aircraft. While most aerial shots use drones, projects requiring higher altitudes and larger scales still use helicopters and small planes. For example, if the production aims to capture the panorama of a whole cityscape, an aircraft would be better suited for the job. Helicopters can also fly longer distances than drones or may be necessary to get to a remote location in the first place. After working with Tim Orr from Gotham Films on the Summit One Vanderbilt shoot, we chatted with him about using a helicopter for commercial aerial photography:
How Aerial Photography is Used
How Aerial Photography is Used
Aerial photography is different not just when it comes to shooting it, but also in terms of the imagery produced. Julia Lehman is a Philadelphia home & garden photographer who offers commercial aerial photography services. She has invested in her training, but going online, rather than in person. She says, Permitting – a drone may not be legally able to fly in some airspace. Particularly over densely populated areas locations with altitude restrictions. Cost – drones are much cheaper to operate than a helicopter, but a helicopter can stay airborne for much longer. Camera Requirements – depending on the job, some shoots may require a camera that is too big for a drone to handle. Composition – some shoots are looking for dynamic, cinematic shots that require speed and rapid elevation moves. Drone shots tend to be slower moving and wide. When looking for a shot with a little more oomph, you may want to use a helicopter instead of a drone. This is what Tim has to say: The benefits of aerial photography are innumerable. It is now used in almost every field and, every year, new uses and applications emerge.
Aerial Footage as a Storytelling Device
Aerial photography can set the scene by giving an overview, but it is also a compelling storytelling device. For example, in the classic movie Thelma and Louise, an aerial camera shows the protagonists driving seemingly alone over a dusty field after their rampage. It looks like they got away. After a few moments, a police car enters the field of view, followed by a dozen more – rapidly changing the narrative. TV, commercials, and YouTube videos also use these story-telling techniques.
Film and TV studios for films and seriesCorporations for PR purposes (telling the story of a company, for example, including aerial shots of their structures)Advertising agencies for commercials to create engaging content
Marketing
Aerial photography is heavily used by tourism companies, as there’s nothing better to show surroundings and entice people to visit.
Tourism market their destinationsRecreational parks and outdoor companies to show what they have to offerReal estate to show properties in their surroundingsAirlines to show planes in flight as part of their marketingArchitects to showcase their designs
Editorial
Aerial photography can convey a lot of information in one image or take, making it a supreme journalism tool. It can also uncover journalistic stories. For example, showing deforestation, the use of resources, and environmental destruction, which is why it’s widely used in investigative journalism to hold governments and corporations to account. Publications sometimes commission professional aerial photographers to shoot specific aerial footage for a specialist subject. More often, though, aerial images form part of a bigger reportage and often set the scene.
Investigative journalismTravel journalismNews reportingReportage, where an aerial photograph sets the sceneHome and garden photography to give an overviewReporting in war zones or areas affected by natural disastersReportage and lifestyle
Becoming a Professional Aerial Photographer
Becoming a Professional Aerial Photographer
There are more and more photographers and companies who specialize in aerial photography to service a growing market. Like any other client, it’s about building relationships with potential employers and requesting referrals and recommendations. You may want to emphasize your specialism and expertise to differentiate yourself from photographers who offer aerial photography services as part of their more general work. The Seattle aerial, travel, and lifestyle photographer Tegra Stone Nuess recommends, So even if you don’t work for the most prestigious clients immediately, this will give you valuable experience and credibility when approaching new clients with complex requirements.
Aerial Photography as Part of Your Photography
Aerial Photography as Part of Your Photography
Many photographers use drone photography to enhance their editorial or commercial photography. They often consider aerial footage as another storytelling device to get their message across. Chandler says, Alex Buisse is a French aerial and adventure photographer, who currently lives in Canmore, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. He agrees,
Practicalities
Practicalities
Being an aerial photographer requires you to be physically able to do the job – whether that’s being fit enough to hang out of a helicopter or climb a mountain, or be tech-savvy enough to operate a drone. While very exciting, specializing in aerial drone photography requires considerable investment in terms of research, time, and money.
Learning How to Pilot a Drone
There are camera drones available as children’s toys, which are easy to maneuver but mastering them requires commitment. Alan Perlman is a drone pilot trainer at UAV Coach and says, Alex got into climbing and photography at the same time, and has been doing aerial photography since long before drones were a thing. He agrees that it’s a considerable undertaking. He says,
Equipment
Drone cameras are now available for as little as $30. However, hiring or buying a drone with a gimbal capable of carrying and maneuvering a professional camera is still expensive. Also, technology is still evolving quickly, so you can expect to have to upgrade hard and software more regularly than the rest of your equipment. Julia says,
Practice and Experience
Apart from being at least somewhat technically minded and able to put in the hours, practice and experience are essential. Not only for maneuvering the drone, but also to learn how to get good aerial photos. Alex says, Chandler also learned a lot from his experiences. He says,
Hiring a Drone Pilot
While some photographers embrace the steep learning curve of becoming proficient in the technical know-how and learning how to maneuver a drone, others prefer to hire a drone pilot so that they can focus on the creative aspect and the drone camera. The easiest and quickest way to do a professional aerial shoot is to let a professional drone pilot take care of everything – from legal requirements to charging the drone batteries.
Aerial Photography Pricing
Aerial Photography Pricing
Offering aerial photography is an advantage for photographers. In highly competitive fields, supplying aerial images may just make them stand out from the crowd and secure them a job. It can mean higher earnings in less competitive areas, such as industrial photography. Julia says, You will also need to factor in the cost of drones vs manned aircraft. Often, weighing up these costs for a particular shoot against what kind of images the project requires. Because of this, aerial photography prices can vary greatly.
Standing Out from the Crowd
Standing Out from the Crowd
Photography is a competitive field, and aerial photography will help you and your photos to stand out from the crowd. But it is also a lot more than that. It connects photographers with their passion and love of photography. Julia says,
About the Author
About the Author
Sonia Klug is an inquisitive writer specializing in writing about digital technology and is fluent in three languages. Other than working as a writer at Wonderful Machine, she also contributes to The Independent and various print magazines. You can learn more about Sonia on her website and connect with her via LinkedIn. This article was originally published here and shared with permission.
