Cinematic Aerial Video
Smooth establishing shots: venue exteriors, campus context, hospitality reels, brand B-roll. Stabilized paths and framing that match your ground package.
- Establishing shots
- Brand & promo B-roll
- Venue & campus exteriors
Aerial & Drone
San Diego Drone Photographer
Cinematic and FPV aerials on a six-platform fleet for events, venues, construction progress, and visual inspections. FAA licensed, Part 107 commercial. From $1,195 for up to 3 hours.
I fly six commercial platforms: cinematic ships for smooth establishing shots and brand-ready B-roll, FPV when the camera needs a path through the space. Same-day selects on stills. Live feed into production for concerts and large events when you need the sky on the show switcher.
- FAA Licensed
- Part 107 commercial
- 6
- Aerial platforms
- 2011
- Flying commercially
- $1,195
- From · up to 3 hours
Trusted by teams at
NAICADOBESonyCOMCASTSEIUMeridianAEG LIVECBS
Selected Work
From above
What we fly for
Six platforms. The jobs that need the sky.
FPV Drone Video
First-person paths a gimbal ship will not take: through volumes, along facades, tight to architecture. Controlled commercial FPV, not a race reel.
- Fly-throughs & reveals
- Dynamic brand cuts
- Venue walkthrough energy
Construction Progress
Repeatable aerial documentation for GCs and owners. Show the site changing without a PE stamp or a survey map you did not order.
- Progress stills & video
- Contract visit pricing
- Commercial license
Visual Inspection Docs
Roof, envelope, and site condition imagery for PMs and crews. Visual documentation only. Not a PE report or AI compliance package.
- Roof & envelope stills
- Site overview frames
- Honest scope language
Events & Venues
Conference hotels, outdoor programs, and exterior heroes that pair with ground coverage the same day when you want one crew.
- Hotel & venue exteriors
- Same-day selects
- Pairs with ground coverage
Live Production Feed
Concerts and large events can take a live aerial feed into the show production pipeline when planned ahead. Different product from same-day selects on a marketing flight.
- Concerts & large shows
- Planned with production
- Not every aerial job
How It Works
From brief to gallery
A simple, predictable workflow designed around busy event schedules and tight deadlines.
- 01
Discovery call
We talk through your run-of-show, key moments, brand guidelines and the shots that matter most to your stakeholders.
- 02
The shoot
I arrive early, blend in, and capture everything from the main stage to the quiet candid moments, discreet and unobtrusive.
- 03
Selects as fast as you need
Curated hero images before the event ends, standard. Or add Live Delivery and edited photos reach your team in near real-time, while the moment is still on stage.
- 04
Full gallery
Your complete, color-graded gallery delivered within 48 hours via a private, downloadable online album.
Clients
The brands that keep coming back
“We hired Chris for our San Diego conference. He absolutely blew us away with his talent and professionalism. He was such a great fit for our team and members, we've brought him in to do our regional conferences across the country.”
Alana Davis
Adobe
“Chris has been a staple of our client and sponsor events since 2011. He's not just a great photographer, he's a great person. His creative discretion continues to impress me years later. He takes initiative and always goes above and beyond our expectations.”
Dan Parr
Constellation Brands
“He is the only photographer we're interested in working with. No matter how crazy the idea or event, he has always executed his role flawlessly. His attention to detail is unlike anything I've ever seen.”
Joseph Lepe
Comcast
Packages
Straightforward pricing
Transparent rates with no hidden fees. Every package includes a private online gallery and a commercial usage license.
Half Day
Up to 3 hours
$1,195
- Right airframe from a 6-platform fleet
- Edited stills and/or short reel
- Same-day selects when schedule allows
- Commercial license
Most booked
Full Day
Up to 8 hours
$1,980
- Extended window or multi-platform setup
- Cinematic and/or FPV
- Same-day selects
- Commercial license
- Pairs with ground event day
Progress / Inspection
Per visit on contract
$990–$2,000
- Construction progress docs
- Visual roof & site stills
- Scoped to location & frequency
- Not PE or land survey
- Written scope before flight
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does drone photography cost in San Diego?
Aerial services start at $1,195 for up to 3 hours. Full day is $1,980. Construction progress and visual inspection visits on contract run $990 to $2,000 per visit depending on scope and frequency. What is on the invoice is written before we fly.
What is the difference between cinematic and FPV drone video?
Cinematic drones prioritize smooth, stabilized aerials: wide establishing shots and polished brand footage. FPV drones fly a first-person path for fly-throughs, tight architecture, and dynamic moves a standard cinema drone will not take. We fly six platforms across both styles and match the airframe to the shot list.
Do you offer same-day selects or live delivery?
Same-day selects are standard on aerial stills jobs when the schedule allows. For concerts and other large productions, we can live-feed aerial into your show production pipeline when that is planned in advance. Day-to-day marketing aerials are not the same product as a full Live Delivery event stills package on the ground.
Is this a PE inspection or land survey?
No. This is aerial documentation and marketing imagery: progress photos, visual roof and envelope documentation, event and venue exteriors. It is not a PE-stamped engineering report or a licensed land survey. If you need those, we will say so and help you find the right partner.
Are you FAA licensed for commercial drone work?
Yes. We are FAA licensed with Part 107 commercial operations and insured flights. Indoor spaces, stadiums, and controlled airspace need permission and a plan. We do not freestyle your ballroom without a green light.
Can drone cover pair with conference or event photography the same day?
Yes. Aerial windows are planned around load-in, airspace, and your ground coverage so the exterior hero shot and the keynote package come from one team and one invoice when you want both.
Contact
Let's talk.
Tell me about your event and I'll get back to you within one business day with availability and a tailored quote.
619-780-4550
Based in San Diego · Available nationwide