A clear breakdown of how commissions are structured, from single aerial surveys to long-term documentary series. Each format includes the technical notes, flight planning, and post-production workflow that go into the final images.
Not every assignment fits the same brief. These are the formats I regularly take on, each with its own scope, workflow, and end use. If you are unsure which one matches your project, describe what you need and I will point you in the right direction.
Long-form aerial essays built around a place or a process of change. I plan multiple flights over weeks or months, track light and wind conditions, and deliver a coherent edit rather than a loose set of frames. Suited to editorial features, gallery work, and institutional commissions that need a considered visual argument.
What is included
Targeted aerial coverage for architects, developers, and planners who need precise documentation of a site before, during, or after construction. I work from a clear brief, deliver high-resolution files with technical notes, and keep the turnaround tight enough for project deadlines.
What is included
A growing library of South African aerial imagery available for single-use or ongoing licensing. Publishers, producers, and researchers can request specific regions or subjects, and I pull from existing series or arrange a dedicated flight if the archive does not cover the angle you need.
What is included
Not sure which format fits your brief?
Start with the portfolio or write directly about your projectThis page outlines the working terms for commissioned aerial photography and post-production. The notes below are meant to remove ambiguity before a project starts, so both sides share the same expectations about deliverables, usage, and technical constraints.
Unless stated otherwise in writing, each commissioned series is delivered as a curated set of edited images. Standard output is 16-bit TIFF files at full resolution, alongside JPEG previews sized for web and client review. Raw files are retained for a period of twelve months after delivery, after which they may be deleted unless archival storage has been agreed upon separately.
All aerial work is conducted in accordance with South African Civil Aviation Authority regulations. Obtaining the necessary Remote Pilot Licence (RPL) clearances, airspace authorisations, and landowner permissions is part of the project planning phase. If a requested location falls within restricted airspace or requires additional permits, this may affect the timeline and will be communicated before the scheduled shoot.
Usage rights are defined per project and depend on the intended application. A standard editorial licence covers one-time publication in a specified medium. Commercial projects, such as architectural marketing or corporate campaigns, require a separate agreement that outlines the scope of distribution. All licences are non-transferable unless explicitly negotiated.
Editing is performed in Capture One and Photoshop. The process includes colour grading, dust spot removal, and perspective correction. Compositing or heavy retouching, such as removing structures or altering the landscape, is considered a separate service and is quoted on a per-image basis. The aesthetic approach is documentary, meaning tonal adjustments stay true to the scene's natural light and atmosphere.
Aerial shoots are weather-dependent. Strong winds, low cloud, or poor visibility can make flying unsafe or produce unusable footage. If a session is cancelled due to conditions, a new date is arranged at no additional cost. Travel expenses already incurred remain the responsibility of the client unless a weather guarantee clause was included in the initial agreement.
After the first edit is delivered, the client has two rounds of revision requests. These are limited to tonal adjustments, cropping preferences, and selection changes within the already captured material. Requests that require new flights or significant re-editing of individual frames fall outside the standard revision scope and will be quoted separately.
These terms apply to all new commissions starting from the date of this document. For ongoing or archival projects, the conditions agreed upon at the time of the original contract remain in effect.
Every assignment follows the same route, whether it is a single editorial frame or a multi-day survey for an architecture firm. The steps below are what you can expect, including the parts that happen on the ground before the drone leaves its case.
We start with your reference images, the intended use of the photographs, and the location itself. I check airspace restrictions, nearby helipads, and whether the site needs a municipal permit or a landowner letter before anything is scheduled.
The date is set around the sun angle and tide or wind forecast, not around convenience. For coastal work this often means a dawn slot. I map the flight lines and decide which camera goes up, the medium format for stills or the drone for wide coverage.
The shoot itself is methodical. I work through the agreed shot list, but I also leave room for what the light does unexpectedly. You get a contact sheet of the full take within two working days, so you can see the range before any editing begins.
I narrow the take to the frames that hold up technically and compositionally. Each selected image gets a first pass in Capture One for colour balance and lens correction. You receive a low-resolution edit set with my notes on why each frame made the cut.
Final files are retouched in Photoshop only where it serves the image, dust spots, sensor marks, or a distracting reflection. Nothing structural is invented. You receive full-resolution TIFFs and web-ready JPEGs, with captions and flight metadata attached.
Every delivery includes a clear licence agreement that states where the images can run and for how long. Selected frames from commissioned work may enter my archive for future editorial use, unless you request exclusivity in the original brief.
If you are weighing up whether a full aerial survey or a single licensed frame fits your project, the solutions overview breaks down what each format covers. For the thinking behind the flight plans and editing choices, the approach page goes into more detail.