Les Collines Vineyard with snow capped Blue Mountains in background, Walla Walla, Washington
Golden vines at Figgins Family Estate Vineyard, Walla Walla, Washington
Rainbow over golden vineyards, Red Mountain AVA, central, Washington
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/
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