Choosing Your Next Aerial Photography Company
Attention: Real Estate Agents, Brokers, Land Developers, Advertisers
Posted January 2007

It sounds pretty obvious, but questioning your source for aerial photography is important, and will help you make a better choice at decision time. Sure, aerial photography enhances the appearance of land and buildings, but making sure it actually happens is a different story. Unlike aerial photography for specific GIS uses, aerial photography for marketing requires different criteria. But what questions should be asked? Use this as a guide or a checklist…or save it for when you may need an aerial photography company.

Deliverables…Can They Deliver for Brochures, Flyers, Website, Prints, Etc?
Make sure your aerial photographs are shot for their intended purpose. Today digital is by far the best way to go, and most aerial photographers use a high quality SLR digital camera such as a Nikon or Canon with at least 6 mega pixels. Quality high-density filters should also be used. Your aerial photographer should be able to prepare your images (yes, images until printed) using software to edit and clean them up, and size the images specifically for your needs. Images intended for website use should be optimized - so they will load properly. This is the basis for getting good results, and you should expect this from your aerial photographer.

In-House Image Editing -Vs- Outsourced?
High resolution digital photography requires some editing, and your aerial photographer should know how to do all of the following: brighten and darken images, clean images to reduce natural haze, brighten up dark areas in the distance, saturate colors, sharpen accurately, and include moderate graphic overlays. Photoshop is still the reigning program in a photographer’s toolbox. Check to see if they use it.

Experience is the Critcal
Good experience and good equipment go together, but knowing how to adjust for changing light is critical, and experience will make all the difference. Experience will also help keep the job within budget and prevent disappointing results. Good decision-making is crucial where seasonal variations make photographs less desirable, such as snow, leaves and poor lighting. Ask to see a gallery or a portfolio to help you determine if your aerial photographer is seasoned enough to handle your needs. Also ask for references.

Flexible Customer Service?
Is your prospect willing to meet with you to understand your needs? In some cases it may not be necessary, but they should be willing to meet to confirm your needs. In addition, ordering a photo shoot should be simple and easy, and should be setup for you to order online 24/7. A sales agreement should describe all areas to be photographed. You should have the cell phone number of your photographer taking your aerial shots - to ensure good communication. Good dialogue is important in case of any changes. The relationship should be easy. If you are not looking forward to working with your aerial photographer, there is a problem.

How are the Images Delivered to You?
Ideally a “pick-up page” should be emailed to you to view and select the images of your choice. You should be able to confirm via email and download images (or forward the link on) shortly after confirming your selection. This process is accurate, fast and helps keep your costs down.

The more services your aerial photography company can do in-house, the better. It will save you money, and it gives you more control of your project. It also saves you time by using a single source to manage all of your additional photography, marketing and promotion needs. Also, discuss your needs with your aerial photography company early in the process, and avoid being left cold when the job is completed. Aerial photography should be about dependability and a mutually-beneficial relationship. Hopefully you can plan on that with your next choice.

Evan Petty is the owner of Aerial Imaging, a leading aerial photography company based in Reno, Nevada.
www.aerial-imaging.com