The first aerial photo remembered was taken by James Wallace Black in 1860 and titled “Boston as seen by the eagle and wild goose”. 

During the 19th and 20th centuries, when a photographer wanted to approach the sky to document something from above, he had no choice but to get up with his camera using the means of transport of his time. This aerial photography process was used both to make artistic photographs, capturing cities, beaches, or monuments, and for cartographic uses. 

At the end of the 20th century and the arrival of the first paragliders, aerial photography spread to the community of this extreme sport, who used it to take spectacular scenes of nature.

Since a little more than ten years and the arrival of the first commercial drones (UAV or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), aerial photography has been democratized and extended to a wider audience every day. Its use allows the photographer to access unaffordable areas and unimaginable heights before its invention.

• The drone market
Several brands have invested in the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) market, anticipating its rapid growth and economic potential. It is estimated that in 2016 more than 7.3 million drones were sold in the world. The current leader is the Chinese brand DJI, with more than 70% of the total market in 2015.

• Highest quality aerial photo

The fact that most commercial drones bring their own camera is an advantage in the event of an accident. “Only” the drone is lost and not the thousands of dollars invested in a DSLR and the appropriate lenses. However, it limits the quality of the photographs to which the onboard camera can be captured. If they are very good and allow recording in 4 or 6K, they do not have the dynamic range offered by a high-end DSLR. For this reason, when very high image quality is required, the photographer will have to use the techniques of the previous century, that is to get his material on some aircraft to make his shots.

Aerial photography has many advantages over traditional photography. From the heights, we have a better perception of what surrounds our subject and allows us to place it in its environment. It also offers us totally new perspectives to capture a monument or building. Particularly appreciated by architects, the aerial photo allows to achieve shots from above (at 90 degrees) in a high angle shoot with a view to the horizon or totally in front of the work.

Aerial photography can be used in multiple areas such as cartography or for cadastral purposes. We use it mainly to create beautiful images that serve to promote various branches of the industry.

• Promotion of tourist sites

Aerial photography is widely used to promote tourist places because it gives us a global view of the site. Trusts often hire drone pilots to capture images of the most emblematic places in each state or city.

• Documentation of architectural works.
  The architects are fond of aerial photography both to keep track of the work and thus present a documented advance to their clients and to capture the beauty of their work once finished. The aerial photo allows in this case to verify that everything was done in accordance with the construction plans.

• Real estate.

  Real estate agencies use aerial imagery so that potential customers can locate the property in their environment. For example, if the property is located near the sea or next to a golf course, it is important that photographs show it to attract this added value.

• Wedding photograph

  Aerial photography is also used to document weddings or engagements. During weddings, it allows us to have an overview of the facilities and the venue of the ceremony and festivities. During an engagement session, it allows you to have pictures of the ceremony without the bride noticing that someone is doing it which would ruin the surprise.

• Hotel photography

  As for real estate, aerial photography allows the virtual visitor to see the hotel in its environment and its distance to the places of interest that surround it (beach, golf course, lake, …).