Aerial Photography

March 12, 2017

Aerial photography Tips for drone, helicopter & airplane shoots

I’ve always loved heights. I’ve progressed from a kid climbing trees and the roof of my house, to my first trip as a teenager parasailing, to skydiving, paragliding, to hundreds of photography shoots from helicopters and small craft airplanes. There’s nothing to compare with the thrill of experiencing a birds eye perspective.

Recently I’ve added a drone to my kit, though I must admit I was hesitant at first. I’d worked with a phenomenal team of aerial cinematographers, Dane Henry and Sean Haverstock for our Washington State Wine videos: http://lumariaproductions.com/work/wa-wine-consumer/. And I’d seen firsthand the expertise to operate high end octocopter drones with movi image stabilizer kits capable of carrying DSLR cameras and a two person drone/ camera operator team. As much as I’d love for my clients to have the budgets of projects like this Red Bull rock climbing project in Lebanaon, that is not the reality for most boutique wine clients. https://www.danehenrydigital.com/blog/2017/1/25/t7swubm1394hwfgylgb0s60ticmgpo

Then in 2016 with the release of the latest DJI phantom 4 drone, I was convinced on the DJI’s quality and ease of use for video. While I’d primarily purchased the drone for video aerial work, I was pleasantly surprised by it’s capability for still photography.

I’m often asked by clients how to best capture aerials of their properties, and to compare the pros and cons of drones vs helicoters vs airplanes. So here’s examples of my work, and my thoughts on each type of aerial photography.

Drone Photography examples:

Drone shot over pinot noir grapes being harvested at Cristom vineyards

Drones excel in close proximity, and shorter duration aerial photography. I’ve done helicopter photoshoots over many vineyards and sadly seen the workers literally run or hide from the helicopter in fear of INS immigration raids. Not to mention the noise and dust even from a small helicopter at 20 feet above the ground is quite distracting for the subjects. Though I have successfully captured several large group photos at groundbreaking wine events, I can’t imagine flying over a winemaker dinner at close proximity without major disruption!

Drone shot over Brooks Vineyard

In addition, when I need to capture both aerial and ground perspectives for time sensitive activities such as harvest, I’m able to cover both in quick proximity and with less budget than landing a helicopter and paying for standby time. My drone was also helpful on a recent snow day in Oregon, where I wasn’t sure if the vineyard was completely covered in white and I also needed to quickly capture ground views before the snow melted.

Drone shot over Montinore wine harvest

[Read more…]

November 21, 2010

Aerials – Napa & Sonoma, CA

Each year there’s a few days of perfect fall conditions where the vineyards are in their peak conditions. On November 15 & 16th I was fortunate to photograph California wine country on crystal clear, 85 degree days. There’s no better way to experience the terroir of the wine country than flying in a helicopter without doors – the views were spectacular from the Golden Gate Bridge to Carneros, Sonoma, and Napa Valley – I love my job!! Here’s a few highlights:

View to Pacific Ocean from Evening Land's vineyards, Sonoma, California

Russian River winds through Sonoma vineyards on a brilliant fall day.

Aerial view of Spring Mountain Vineyards overlooking Napa Valley, California

Revana winery & vineyards, Napa, California

Raymond Vineyards, Napa, California

Ideal aerial set up: R44 helicopter with the doors removed, clear 85 degree day in mid November

However ideal the conditions are for aerial photography, experience from years of flying has taught me the most important considerations for capturing the best angle and drama of the subject. Learning to work with pilots who are adept at maneuvering the helicopter at low altitudes, holding steady for panoramic stitch photos, and getting to the right angle of the sun to backlight vineyards and cut out surrounding distractions can take determination and time to optimize. When all the elements do come together, there’s no better way to capture a sense of place from this unique vantage point.

Here’s a link to the updated aerial photo gallery on my website:
http://andreajohnson.photoshelter.com/gallery/Aerials/G0000iV_4mt0gP4U/

October 29, 2010

Aerials – Oregon Vineyards

Timing is everything: The transition between summer and fall this season, like harvest, has been quick and dramatic. With rain forecast for the next 10 days, I was able to find one morning with sunlight, fog, and optimum fall colors in the vineyards. There’s no better way to cover a lot of ground quickly than an aerial helicopter shoot. Here’s a few highlights:

Brilliant golden vineyard contrast with surrounding hillside in this panoramic photo over WillaKenzie Estate, Willamette Valley, Oregon.

Fog began rolling in over the hill quickly, this view looking north over Willakenzie Estate about 6 minutes after the first panoramic photo.

Warm hues of a foggy fall morning showcase new tasting room at WillaKenzie Estate.

Colene Clemens recently completed construction for their tasting room near WillaKenzie Estate. Fog skirts around the winery & tasting room, perched above estate vineyards.

A 180 degrees view of Colene Clemens Winery as the fog continues to roll in.

Landmark barn at Colene Clemens peaks through gap in fog.

Placing harvest bins in preparation of pick later that morning at Alexana Vineyards, Dundee Hills, Oregon.

I love aerial photography, it is my favorite way to capture unique landscapes with a sense of place and drama. I’ve been fortunate to fly with the same pilot for the past 7 years, fine-tuning my expertise on shoots throughout Oregon, Washington, and California. I’m often able to piggy-back several properties on the same shoot, and these photographs get more mileage than any other type of photography in books, magazine features and covers, and general marketing material. It’s a surprisingly reasonable expense – please contact me if you are interested in a custom quote.

Here’s links to a few websites of wineries that have utilized aerial photography uniquely:

Penner-Ash http://www.pennerash.com/

WillaKenzie Estate http://www.willakenzie.com/index.html

Hyland Vineyard Estates http://oregonvineyardproperty.com/hyland-vineyard-estates/

and a link to more aerial photos on my site
http://www.photoshelter.com/mem/gallery/gallery-show/G0000bbu5OzbTx4c

November 24, 2008

Passion for Pinot – book launch

Our books have arrived! A select group of wineries receive copies of Passion for Pinot just in time for the holiday 2008. Ten Speed Press launches the title nationwide March 2009.

Here’s a few tear sheets of our book:



: Custom book jacket

Passion for Pinot retail cover

Oregon pinot noir spread, snow over Dundee Hills, Oregon

Harvest at Bergstrom Winery, Oregon

Seasmoke Vineyard, Santa Rita Hills, California

Journalist Rusty Gaffney of the PinotFile, wrote this overview of our book, and was the first to interview us on the project, audio link to interview below.

“Photographers Robert Holmes and Andrea Johnson along with writer Jordan Mackay have accomplished the masterful task of creating a book that captures the spirit of Pinot Noir. To satiate my own passion for Pinot Noir, I had envisioned doing a similar project for several years but never found the time. Imagine how thrilled I was, then, to discover this beautiful book with breath taking photography of American Pinot Noir winegrowing regions and wine people. The hardcover book is more than a fancy picture book to put out on your coffee table and forget about. It is filled with pinotspeak and valuable information about the one grape that is uniquely capable of creating an almost religious passion among its devotees.
Andrea Johnson is a well-known freelance photographer specializing in wine and travel with many of her pictures featured regularly in prestigious publications. Robert Holmes is a renowned photographer and writer who has illustrated more than forty books, has worked for many of the world’s major magazines and twice was named “Travel Photographer of the Year” by the Society of American Travel Writers. Jordan Mackay has been a contributing writer for Wine & Spirits, Food and Wine, Gourmet, and Wine Enthusiast.
Following a foreword by noted wine writer, Eric Asimov, the contents weave a journey through the vineyards and wineries of America, stopping along the way to capture the essence of Pinot Noir. Chapters include: A Perfect Storm of Pinot, Terroir, A Year in the Vineyard, From Grape to Wine, and In the Glass. The book is currently available at multiple wineries in California and Oregon and will be available nationwide at bookstores in March of 2009.”

I spoke with Andrea and Robert at this year’s ¡Salud! Oregon Wine Auction where the book had its coronation. To listen to the recording…..“Passion for Pinot Photographers Interview”

Listen to a portion of the book here: