Did you know that the first aerial photographer was a Frenchman called Gaspar Felix Tournachon? He used a hot air balloon to capture aerial photos. But airplanes, drones, parachutes, and helicopters are also ways you can capture photos from the sky.
Getting into the aerial photography business is a rewarding and exciting profession. But it is competitive, and you need to have passion and the right guidance to succeed.
Not sure how to start your journey to become an aerial or drone photographer? This guide will help you skyrocket your career!
Invest in Aerial Photography Equipment
You cannot be an aerial photographer without aerial photography equipment. As with any field of photography, you will need a high-quality DSLR camera body if you want to be a professional.
You also need good telephoto and wide-angle lenses that can handle a high shutter speed. Your equipment needs to withhold the vibrations of planes so your photos don’t end up with motion blur.
When it comes to accessories, invest in a selection of lens filters, hoods, and a good camera strap. The last thing you want to do is drop your camera from a hot air balloon!
To be an aerial photographer, you also need to be a drone photographer. Invest in the best model on the market to set yourself apart from amateur aerial photographers. If you want to be a parachuting photographer then an action camera will also be useful.
Gain the Right Skills and Experience
Believe it or not, you can gain an aerial photography degree at certain universities. This is a fantastic qualification to have if you are only interested in this field of photography. But if you like different fields, a general photography degree is still useful.
Something better than any photography qualification is experience. Find friends who have their own plane so you can practice aerial photography as much as possible. This will help you build a portfolio of work.
Build Your Aerial Photography Business
After you’ve got the equipment, qualifications, and experience you can start finding work. Real estate firms, architects, and tourist boards are all businesses that need an aerial photograph map or landscape.
Companies like these always need aerial photographs for their marketing materials. You can find out more about online ads and sponsors in this HOTH blog post.
You can offer to do work for them at a discounted rate until you become an in-demand professional. As with any freelance profession, as long as you are nice, communicative, and deliver work on time then businesses will keep hiring you.
Are You Ready To Make Your Aerial Photographer Dreams Come True?
The life of an aerial photographer is a wild ride. You might need to save a lot to buy the equipment and practice flights you need to improve. But once you have that portfolio, you can build a rewarding and lucrative business.
To become an aerial photographer, you need to know about the latest tech and you need to have entrepreneurial skills. Browse our website for tons of information about both!