Skip to content
Home . Miscellaneous News & Opinion . What you need to know before a photo shoot from a plane or an helicopter

What you need to know before a photo shoot from a plane or an helicopter

An aerial photo shoot from a plane or helicopter is challenging. Here is what you need to know before you fly.

seychelles aerial photography fregate Island Private
Seychelles luxury hotel aerial photography shot from an helicopter

What you need to know before you go on an aerial photo shoot from a plane or a helicopter

If you plan to shoot from a plane or a helicopter, here are some factors to consider :

You are Limited Space and Movement: Depending on the aircraft, you may have limited space to move around or position yourself for the best shot. This can make it challenging to frame your subject effectively. Plan ahead and communicate with the pilot or crew to ensure you have enough space and flexibility to capture your desired images.

You will experience Vibration and Movement: Aircraft, especially helicopters, can have vibrations and movements that make it challenging to keep your camera steady. This can result in blurry images if you’re not careful. To mitigate this, use image stabilization techniques ( yes, keep your breath and get a strond handling on your camera does help a lot ) or a lens with built-in stabilization. Fast shutter speeds can also help freeze motion and reduce the impact of vibrations.

Be aware of Window Reflections ! For my aerial photo shoots from aircrafts I always photograph from an open door if possible. Otherwise I only shoot from the cockpit my window open.
If you have no choice than shooting from inside the aircraft, reflections on the windows will be an issue. These reflections can degrade the quality of your images or cause unwanted glare. To minimize reflections, sit close to the cleanest and less damaged window, press your lens against it, and shoot at an angle perpendicular to the window to reduce the impact of reflections.

Aerial shot captured from a seaplane window

22 years ago, I took my first aerial photo. It was in Maldives. Back then, there were no drones, so the only options to get such pictures were using a seaplane or a regular plane. This is one of my first aerial image, shot in South Male Atoll, from a Twin-Otter seaplane window.

professional hotel aerial photography from a plane seaplane window

Shoot in RAW format for fast-changing conditions: Aerial photography often involves rapidly changing lighting conditions, including different angles of sunlight, reflections and shadows on the ground. Be prepared to adjust your camera settings quickly and make use of exposure compensation to adapt to these changing conditions. Shooting in RAW format can also give you more flexibility in post-processing to fine-tune the exposure and color balance.

Safety Considerations: When photographing from aircraft, prioritize safety at all times. Follow any guidelines or regulations provided by the pilot or crew. Secure your equipment properly and be mindful of your surroundings to avoid any accidents or damage.

Equipment Considerations: Depending on the type of aerial photography you plan to pursue, you may need specific equipment. This can include wide-angle lenses for capturing expansive landscapes, telephoto lenses for isolating details, or specialized equipment like drones for low-altitude aerial photography. Consider the specific needs of your photography goals and invest in the appropriate gear.
But remember, everything is possible, I made my first aerial photos with a Bronica, my analog Canon always by my side too !

Today, I proudly hold an EASA Licensed Drone Pilot certification, and I must confess that it a remarkable tool. Drone photography presents numerous advantages—it’s more accessible, cost-effective, and delivers visually captivating results. However, the differences between aerial photography and drone photography remain significant, with crucial factors such as altitude restrictions and limited zoom capabilities, which can’t fully replicate the advantages of aerial photography from traditional aircraft.
Read more : Aerial photography VS Drone photography from my point of view.

Browse more Aerial photos

Browse more Travel photos

follow my journeys

sakis photographer instagram avatar small
sakis hotel photographer instagram

impressionsphotobysakis

Sakis Papadopoulos. Luxury Hotel & Villa Photographer – Filmmaker

Follow me on FacebookInstagram and YouTube for more photos and latest projects.
+ Discover more images and news in the blog section.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

@impressionsphotobysakis
Sakis Papadopoulos

@impressionsphotobysakis

Luxury Hotel & Villa Photographer – Filmmaker
  • As a hotel photographer, capturing spaces that tell a story is what I aim for. This bathroom in the Maldives, with its seamless connection to the lagoon, is a dream to photograph—every angle highlighting the blend of luxury and natural beauty
.
.
.
.
.
.
#beautifuldestinations #wonderful_places #hotelphotography #hotelphotographer #luxurylife #luxuryliving #luxuryhotels #beautifulplaces #architecturephotography #maldives #maldivesislands #slowlife #hospitality #roomwithaview #explorepage #exploremore
  • Embracing the beauty of Crete island from a higher perspective.
.
.
.
.
.
#crete #creteisland #greece #greecestagram #dronephotography #dronestagram #dronepilot #beautifuldestinations #wonderful_places #greeceislands #greecetravel #visitgreece #wanderlust #instamood #instatravel #travelgoals #travelgreece #expolremore #explorepage #beachlife
  • In a Zen State of Mind.
Currently at photo and video shooting at the renowned and multi-award winning hotel Porto Zante Villas & Spa.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#beautifuldestinations #wonderful_places #beautifulhotels #luxurylifestyle #slowlife #luxuryconciergeworldwide #luxuryhotel #hospitality #hotelphotographer #luxurytravel #architecturephotography #greece #greecestagram
  • Latest photoshoot in this amazing luxury property in the Ionian Islands, highlighting the tranquility, relaxation and soothing ambiance.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#hospitality #hotelphotography #beautifuldestinations #architecturephotography #aerialphotography #dronephotography #dronestagram #ionianislands #greece #greecestagram #beautifulhotels #luxuryvilla #realestate #realestatephotography #greekislands #hotelphotographer #boutiquehotel #luxurytravel #instatravel
  • Framed by nature’s beauty between lush greenery and azure waters.
Photoshooting in progress ….
.
.
.
.
.
.
#luxuryrealestate #seaviewvilla #infinitypool #beautifuldestinations #beautifulplaces #beautifulhotels #luxuryvilla #luxuryhomes #luxurylifestyle #greece #greekislands #architecturephotography #mediterranean #dronephotography #dronestagram
  • Experience unparalleled serenity at this exclusive beachfront villa, where the soothing sound of waves and endless ocean views create the ultimate escape.
Photo Video shoot in progress.
.
.
.
.
#beautifuldestinations #beautifulplaces #luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #luxuryestate #luxuryvilla #beachlife #slowlife #greece #greecestagram #crete #creteisland #instagood #instagood #beachvibes #wanderlust #beautifulplaces #luxuryhotel #travelgoals
As a hotel photographer, capturing spaces that tell a story is what I aim for. This bathroom in the Maldives, with its seamless connection to the lagoon, is a dream to photograph—every angle highlighting the blend of luxury and natural beauty
.
.
.
.
.
.
#beautifuldestinations #wonderful_places #hotelphotography #hotelphotographer #luxurylife #luxuryliving #luxuryhotels #beautifulplaces #architecturephotography #maldives #maldivesislands #slowlife #hospitality #roomwithaview #explorepage #exploremore
As a hotel photographer, capturing spaces that tell a story is what I aim for. This bathroom in the Maldives, with its seamless connection to the lagoon, is a dream to photograph—every angle highlighting the blend of luxury and natural beauty
.
.
.
.
.
.
#beautifuldestinations #wonderful_places #hotelphotography #hotelphotographer #luxurylife #luxuryliving #luxuryhotels #beautifulplaces #architecturephotography #maldives #maldivesislands #slowlife #hospitality #roomwithaview #explorepage #exploremore
As a hotel photographer, capturing spaces that tell a story is what I aim for. This bathroom in the Maldives, with its seamless connection to the lagoon, is a dream to photograph—every angle highlighting the blend of luxury and natural beauty . . . . . . #beautifuldestinations #wonderful_places #hotelphotography #hotelphotographer #luxurylife #luxuryliving #luxuryhotels #beautifulplaces #architecturephotography #maldives #maldivesislands #slowlife #hospitality #roomwithaview #explorepage #exploremore
17 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/6
Embracing the beauty of Crete island from a higher perspective.
.
.
.
.
.
#crete #creteisland #greece #greecestagram #dronephotography #dronestagram #dronepilot #beautifuldestinations #wonderful_places #greeceislands #greecetravel #visitgreece #wanderlust #instamood #instatravel #travelgoals #travelgreece #expolremore #explorepage #beachlife
Embracing the beauty of Crete island from a higher perspective.
.
.
.
.
.
#crete #creteisland #greece #greecestagram #dronephotography #dronestagram #dronepilot #beautifuldestinations #wonderful_places #greeceislands #greecetravel #visitgreece #wanderlust #instamood #instatravel #travelgoals #travelgreece #expolremore #explorepage #beachlife
Embracing the beauty of Crete island from a higher perspective. . . . . . #crete #creteisland #greece #greecestagram #dronephotography #dronestagram #dronepilot #beautifuldestinations #wonderful_places #greeceislands #greecetravel #visitgreece #wanderlust #instamood #instatravel #travelgoals #travelgreece #expolremore #explorepage #beachlife
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
In a Zen State of Mind.
Currently at photo and video shooting at the renowned and multi-award winning hotel Porto Zante Villas & Spa.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#beautifuldestinations #wonderful_places #beautifulhotels #luxurylifestyle #slowlife #luxuryconciergeworldwide #luxuryhotel #hospitality #hotelphotographer #luxurytravel #architecturephotography #greece #greecestagram
In a Zen State of Mind. Currently at photo and video shooting at the renowned and multi-award winning hotel Porto Zante Villas & Spa. . . . . . . #beautifuldestinations #wonderful_places #beautifulhotels #luxurylifestyle #slowlife #luxuryconciergeworldwide #luxuryhotel #hospitality #hotelphotographer #luxurytravel #architecturephotography #greece #greecestagram
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
Latest photoshoot in this amazing luxury property in the Ionian Islands, highlighting the tranquility, relaxation and soothing ambiance.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#hospitality #hotelphotography #beautifuldestinations #architecturephotography #aerialphotography #dronephotography #dronestagram #ionianislands #greece #greecestagram #beautifulhotels #luxuryvilla #realestate #realestatephotography #greekislands #hotelphotographer #boutiquehotel #luxurytravel #instatravel
Latest photoshoot in this amazing luxury property in the Ionian Islands, highlighting the tranquility, relaxation and soothing ambiance.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#hospitality #hotelphotography #beautifuldestinations #architecturephotography #aerialphotography #dronephotography #dronestagram #ionianislands #greece #greecestagram #beautifulhotels #luxuryvilla #realestate #realestatephotography #greekislands #hotelphotographer #boutiquehotel #luxurytravel #instatravel
Latest photoshoot in this amazing luxury property in the Ionian Islands, highlighting the tranquility, relaxation and soothing ambiance.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#hospitality #hotelphotography #beautifuldestinations #architecturephotography #aerialphotography #dronephotography #dronestagram #ionianislands #greece #greecestagram #beautifulhotels #luxuryvilla #realestate #realestatephotography #greekislands #hotelphotographer #boutiquehotel #luxurytravel #instatravel
Latest photoshoot in this amazing luxury property in the Ionian Islands, highlighting the tranquility, relaxation and soothing ambiance.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#hospitality #hotelphotography #beautifuldestinations #architecturephotography #aerialphotography #dronephotography #dronestagram #ionianislands #greece #greecestagram #beautifulhotels #luxuryvilla #realestate #realestatephotography #greekislands #hotelphotographer #boutiquehotel #luxurytravel #instatravel
Latest photoshoot in this amazing luxury property in the Ionian Islands, highlighting the tranquility, relaxation and soothing ambiance.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#hospitality #hotelphotography #beautifuldestinations #architecturephotography #aerialphotography #dronephotography #dronestagram #ionianislands #greece #greecestagram #beautifulhotels #luxuryvilla #realestate #realestatephotography #greekislands #hotelphotographer #boutiquehotel #luxurytravel #instatravel
Latest photoshoot in this amazing luxury property in the Ionian Islands, highlighting the tranquility, relaxation and soothing ambiance. . . . . . . . #hospitality #hotelphotography #beautifuldestinations #architecturephotography #aerialphotography #dronephotography #dronestagram #ionianislands #greece #greecestagram #beautifulhotels #luxuryvilla #realestate #realestatephotography #greekislands #hotelphotographer #boutiquehotel #luxurytravel #instatravel
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
Framed by nature’s beauty between lush greenery and azure waters.
Photoshooting in progress ….
.
.
.
.
.
.
#luxuryrealestate #seaviewvilla #infinitypool #beautifuldestinations #beautifulplaces #beautifulhotels #luxuryvilla #luxuryhomes #luxurylifestyle #greece #greekislands #architecturephotography #mediterranean #dronephotography #dronestagram
Framed by nature’s beauty between lush greenery and azure waters. Photoshooting in progress …. . . . . . . #luxuryrealestate #seaviewvilla #infinitypool #beautifuldestinations #beautifulplaces #beautifulhotels #luxuryvilla #luxuryhomes #luxurylifestyle #greece #greekislands #architecturephotography #mediterranean #dronephotography #dronestagram
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
5/6
Experience unparalleled serenity at this exclusive beachfront villa, where the soothing sound of waves and endless ocean views create the ultimate escape. Photo Video shoot in progress. . . . . #beautifuldestinations #beautifulplaces #luxurylifestyle #luxuryhomes #luxuryestate #luxuryvilla #beachlife #slowlife #greece #greecestagram #crete #creteisland #instagood #instagood #beachvibes #wanderlust #beautifulplaces #luxuryhotel #travelgoals
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
6/6

Follow me on FacebookInstagram and YouTube for more photos and latest projects.
+ Discover more images and news in the blog section.