Question on aerial shots.

[glyn]

Hello guys. I'm a 30 year old pilot who has been flying since I was 13 and I normally teach but a friend of mine is wanting to start flying again and is looking at a Quicksilver (weed hopper) to start flying.
I would like to start putting adds in the paper for aerial shots and calling some local realitor companies and asking if they need any aerial work done. I only have an XSI which I think will be fine.
Question is what to charge, what type of photo's to offer.
I can get my hands on just about any helicopter or airplane out there. Granted I want to stay away from helicopters due to operating cost.
Can anyone kinda mentor me through this.

Thanks.
Glyn

[advaitin]

Tough times for realtors right now. I have a friend in the aerial photo business who has had to give up his office space and go back to working out of his house. He went to full-frame for his work in order to provide similar quality to what he was getting from 120 film.

[glyn]

Yea, this isn't going o be a full time deal by any means. Just something extra to do.

[PhotosGuy]

Because you have a descriptive title, you can look at the "Similar Threads" links at the bottom-left of this page!
Each link you visit should provide more links at the bottom.

Here are a few more links:
Aerial Photography (http://photo.net/learn/aerial/primer)

Air shot of last game (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=585578)

Photographer Interview: Justin Pyle, USAF Thunderbirds photographer.
http://www.fencecheck.com/photography/Photographer_Interview%3A_Justin_Pyle/

Safety in the Skies: Flight Plan for a Successful Aerial Photography Career (http://www.imaginginfo.com/print/Studio-Photography/Safety-in-the-Skies--Flight-Plan-for-a-Successful-Aerial-Photography-Career/3$1328)

Night shots: Shooting from a fixed wing aircraft (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=647756)

[sfaust]

Every aerial photographer I know in my area (Northeast US) is having a real tough time. Not just now because of the economy, but over the last 2-4 years. The market has changed, operating costs have risen, etc, and its really hurt the industry. Also, aren't you prohibited from flying over populated areas in an ultralight by the FAA? That would limit your clientele as well.

If you don't expect to use it to make a living, it could be a good part time opportunity. Whether you can recoup your costs and expenses is another thing.

[glyn]

I'm good over congested areas as long as I stay 1000 ft AGL. BUT most people (pilots) don't know that you CAN fly lower in some areas as long as ATC knows about it.
Say you are taking pictures of a new building that was just built. As long as ATC knows you can circle that place and get lower. THEN you are under the rule of flying as high so that if engine failure, you can safely land. In anything that has 2 way radio communication and transponder so that way ATC can talk and see you on radar either ultra light to helicopters.
Yea, I'm just looking for something to spread my wings with. If its just pays for my camera and operating cost, I'm fine with it for a bit. It will give me experience.