Why is your company logo "AirShoots?"

I always shoot with the window open.  It doesn’t matter if it’s hot or cold, summer or winter, the window is always open.  I never shoot through the glass.  That is how my logo became “AirShoots.”

Who uses aerial photography?

Anyone can have a need for aerial photography! Different people use aerial photography for different reasons.  Aerial photographs are often used to show the progress of construction sites; sometimes they are used to showcase a property, to help sell real estate, or to settle property boundary disputes. 

The use of aerial photographs is appealing in that anyone who sees aerial images gets the large view of an area, whether it’s an entire community, larger geographic area or a smaller view showing a construction site, business, farm or home

What do you need from me to take an aerial photograph of my site?

Finding sites from the air is one of the more difficult than most people realize. Everything looks different from the air versus when on the ground.  I’ve had people tell me, “You can’t miss it!”  Let me assure you, “Yes I can . . . and Yes I have.”  Before I fly to an “aerial shoot” I obtain a description of exactly what the property looks like, location, distinguishing landmarks, roads leading to and from. I just need an accurate description of the property location.  Sometimes we will use a mapping program to locate where a property and to determine the property’s exact latitude and longitude. I use a GPS (Global Positioning System), which uses satellites to pinpoint a position anywhere to allow us to fly directly to the site. 

Do you take passengers with you?

The answer is no. We are in the aerial photo business, not the airplane ride business. 

Do you use a special camera to take aerial photographs?

I Shoot Exclusively DIGITAL with Canon Professional Electronic Megapixel Cameras & Gyro Sensor Image Stabilized Telephoto Lenses. Digital is excellent for printing media including marketing material, publications, and Internet communication.

What is oblique aerial photography?

Oblique aerial photography has the subject taken from the side of the airplane at an angle rather than from directly overhead, therefore you see an angled view of the site. Most aerial photos are taken as obliques.

What is vertical aerial photography?

Vertical aerial photography “shoots” the image directly above the subject site; straight down from the airplane.

How large a picture can you produce?

My aerial photographs can be enlarged up to 40” x 60” with little or no loss of resolution showing even the smallest of details.

What kind of airplane do you use?

I shoot from several different highwing airplanes including a Cessna 150, Cessna 172 and Citabria. Regardless of the type of plane I always shoot with the window open. It doesn’t matter if it’s hot or cold, summer or winter, the window is always open. I never shoot through the glass. That is how my logo became “AirShoots.”

How often do you take aerial photographs?        

During much of the year I fly twice a week taking aerial photographs. I prefer to shoot on crystal clear, full sun days; although that is not always possible.  We are lucky to get two dozen or so clear days the entire year while in the summer haze is a huge problem. I work around it as best I can and oftentimes will use a cloudy day for my shoots if the air is clear.

My primary concern is always about the time of day a property needs to be photographed to show it looking best. I like to “shoot” at the height of the sun’s angles. In the summertime, it is high noon, so flying can be done between 10am and 2-3pm in the afternoon. In the winter months, with the sun much lower in the sky, high noon, is never that high and shadows are already long by 3:00pm. Even so, there are some properties that show best in early morning while others need to be taken later in the afternoon. All of my shoots are customized to the situation.

How much does an aerial photo job cost?

The cost off a typical job is dependent on location of the site and the aircraft being used. A standard site shoot located within 40 miles of my home flying area is usually priced from $395 to $450 if there are no unusual situations to work with.  This includes Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, Marietta, Athens, and everything in between. 

How many photo images do I get with my aerial shoot?

You will receive at least 15 aerial views of your property. For most aerial photography shoots this includes north, south, east, west close-in aerial views, corner views, in addition to north, south, east, west showing the property with extended views in relation to the area.  You will also receive photos showing how the property is located in relation to the larger area and community.  

Do you do aerial photography outside your normal service area?

My normal service area extends throughout West Virginia, SE Ohio and Eastern Kentucky.
Additionally, I belong to the Professional Aerial Photographers Association International and have a network of aerial photography colleagues all over the county.  Give me a call and I will be glad to help you.