Aerial photography

[ec130e]

I apologize in advance if this topic has been discussed in the past in this forum. I am wondering if there are any aerial photographers (doing it as a business) here? If so, I would like to pick you brain.

Thanks!

 

[navigator72]

I make a very nice side income shooting aerials.
I'll try to answer an you question you have.

 

[ec130e]

PM Sent. Thanks!

 

[Swass]

Discuss on this thread, I'm sure others would be interested.

 

[navigator72]

I'll respond later to the pm

 

[ec130e]

Discuss on this thread, I'm sure others would be interested.

I would like to know if anyone here is actually doing aerial photography (as a business) with just a PPL. FAR 61.113? I believe does not specify that one would need a Comm Tix. I did pose the ? to the local FSDO, and was told that since"flying was incidental to the business" I would not need a comm tix.

Thanks!

 

[navigator72]

pm sent

 

[midlifeflyer]

I would like to know if anyone here is actually doing aerial photography (as a business) with just a PPL. FAR 61.113? I believe does not specify that one would need a Comm Tix. I did pose the ? to the local FSDO, and was told that since"flying was incidental to the business" I would not need a comm tix.

Better than a FSDO - FAA Legal has a 1995 written opinion that tells us that a commercial is required if you are providing a photography platform for others, but that a commercial certificate is not required if you're doing it yourself. Here is the relevant part:

==============================
To the extent that your operation would be in furtherance of your own business of aerial photography or survey, and you are not carrying persons or property for compensation or hire, then you may do so holding a private pilot certificate. However, to the extent that your operation would involve operating your aircraft as an aerial platform for other photographers, etc., for compensation or hire, you would need to be the holder of at least a commercial pilot certificate in order to act as the pilot.
==============================

 

[ec130e]

Thank you for clearing that up Mark. I am trying to make sure that I don't "bust" any FARs, before I decide to pursue this any further. Only 3 of us will be doing this business........ Me, myself & I.

Irregardless, I am in the midst of my comm/inst anyway.

 

[navigator72]

pm sent

 

[svcta]

Hey, Nav, send him a PM already!

 

[Way2Broke]

Where do you get your customers from?

 

[navigator72]

To get customers you need to talk...... You need to talk to everybody you meet. when they ask you what you do "You are an aerial photographer". It doesn't matter if you have only taken a few shots of your parents house. If you want clients, you need to play the part of an aerial photographer. You need to have business cards on you at all times, I have handed my card out to people at gas stations, yard sales and everywhere else. Does every card turn into a sale, no but it might end up in the hands of somebody who does. Nothing in this business happens fast, in fact it takes 3 - 4 times as long as you think it will.
It's a great sorce of income and tomorrow I'm going to make what I make in a month at my "real job" before I actually go to work.

 

[ec130e]

To get customers you need to talk...... You need to talk to everybody you meet. when they ask you what you do "You are an aerial photographer". It doesn't matter if you have only taken a few shots of your parents house. If you want clients, you need to play the part of an aerial photographer. You need to have business cards on you at all times, I have handed my card out to people at gas stations, yard sales and everywhere else. Does every card turn into a sale, no but it might end up in the hands of somebody who does. Nothing in this business happens fast, in fact it takes 3 - 4 times as long as you think it will.
It's a great sorce of income and tomorrow I'm going to make what I make in a month at my "real job" before I actually go to work.

I second Navigator. Your customer is literally anyone you talk to. The spectrum streches from your mother or your father, to the commercial industry and everyone in between. Would you buy a picture if someone flew over your house/property took a picture, enlarged it and framed it? I would!

 

[livethedream]

what about filters? do you use color correcting filters? I have gotten some yellowish hues when playing around. also do you find people want digital or color slides? what do you charge? by the site or by the hour? do you use your own plane?
lots more questions but lets start there
thanks

 

[ec130e]

Let me preface what I am about to say by letting you know that I do not have a second (professionally speaking) as an aerial photographer. However, I am in the process of researching in order to possibly pursue a venture in aerial photography. Some of the best advice I have rcvd, has been from Navigator72. If you start looking on line, you will get an idea as to what people use, and what they charge. Go to a website or 2, and see what they charge. Figure out what it might cost you to rent (or own) an aircraft, pilot etc. Soon you will have an idea as to a bottom line $. I guess you would work your way up (or down) from there.

 

[navigator72]

Thank you for the kind words ec130e.
I only shoot digital in the raw, therefore some knowledge of post photo processing with Adobe is required.
I only have a UV filters on my lenses.
Pricing is something you need to come up with based on your specific area.
I do charge by the location.
ec130e was right when he mentioned the part about doing research before starting this business.
ec130e and I have been going back and forth on the issue of renting -vs- owning, it really depends on what your goals are. There are benefits on each side.

It's a great way to make $$$ but it takes time to build a name for yourself. In fact I have been trying to build a name for myself for the past 3 years and I finally have clients calling me, instead of me calling them.

Goodluck