Hi Tara -

Yes, I've had tons of time doing aerial work in heli's, fixed wings and jets (all those Aim High Air Force jet planes are mine - I did them for 8 years) -
now...
is your job still photography or video?
and what kind of budget are they thinking of?
What will be the end use of the footage? simply documenting the construction? or for use in a final video? sales video or commercial?

Basically, you'll probably be using a helicopter - and basically they cost about $800 to $1,000 an hour if they've got the right kind of video stabilized rigs. You also will have to pay for travel time from the airport to the site.
The best way to proceed is to sub out the whole first days shooting (without telling your client) and watch and learn from experienced pros. Then the next time you might actually shoot yourself.

In the bad old days (and in film) we'd be strapped into the side of the heli in a rig called a Tyler mount - not great for a woman, since it's big and heavy, especially on turns. Now however everything is done in video with joysticks - it's a pleasure.

Hope this helps somewhat.
v

Yes, Jim H, I think pretty photos is what they want...documenting the progress throughout the project construction...same altitude and location each time.

Mr. Milt...it is still photography, and I think just documenting the progress. I don't know about the budget, but I know they paid 2.7 mil for the large lot that these condominiums are being built on. No telling how many millions they are going to be making off these condos on the Tennessee River.

O.K. sub out the first shoot...go along and learn..then try the next one myself. Am I following? Hmmm, strapped to the side of a helicopter...sounds like a few more grey hairs for me...I don't think that would work...glad things have changed.

Thank you guys for the response....I do really appreciate this forum and all of you on it.

Tara

Here's another way (from an L.A. Times Jan 2006 story about a blind photographer, the article is now gone from their web site):

He was at the end of his rope when he decided instead to grab hold of the end of a tether.

So beware of the competition from blind blimp guys...

:O)

For still photography, you can do the job yourself - it's really quite simple.
You'll want an experienced pilot and a fixed wing plane with a "high-wing" and a removeable window.
Shoot at a five hundredth of a second or faster. The pilot will get you into position, bank a little to the side, you shoot off a bunch of shots, as you go over. Use the sequence setting to get a couple at a time. Take along a medium zoom and try to get close to the subject.
Fixed wing is WAY cheaper - get over to the local airport and ask around.
best,
v

A few random suggestions, mostly from actual experience:

1. Don't shoot through the window (but you knew that). The plexiglass used in airplanes is evil stuff to color correct, distorted, scratched, etc.

2. Altitude is everything. When you are flying, high=good. When you are shooting, low=good. Air restrictions were already mentioned, but you also have to observe basic safety standards.

3. For fixed wing, small and slow is better. The ideal is to get a high-wing plane with the door removed (and you strapped in, ten ways to Sunday). I had a friend who took a friend/photographer over Hearst Castle twelve years ago in his aerobatic plane. About half a mile out, he cut the engine and glided over the castle at what must have been 50-100 feet. Spectacular pictures, which I still have.

4. One of the most amazing services, although someone else would have to do this, is to hire an ultra-light. These are fixed-wing, powered hang gliders. They are not licensed or controlled by the FAA and can fly at any height. Also, they fly at incredibly slow speeds, and there is absolutely no cabin, and therefore no windows. Both at our family cottage near Madison, and at my parent's old house down in Florida, some entrepreneur flew over the entire neighborhood at about 50 feet in his ultralight, taking still pictures of each and every house. He then went (on foot) door-to-door selling his photos. The pictures were absolutely stunning, because of the low altitude, and he sold a ton of them.

Good Morning...Thank you guys so much for all the input. I am going to make some calls today and see what I can find out. Coursedesign..that was a great story about the blimp photos. What is funny...when I was researching some yesterday, I ran across a local photographer's website that does aerial photography with a kite. I guess I will have to watch out for that competition.

Thanks again, Tara

there are always many ways to shoot this, but first get a TOPO map of the area (shows elevation, FAA pilot's map are good too) and a Sat pic of the area. this will let plan your shoot and ensure that the FAA will not be screaming about min. elevation reguirements, usually 500ft over the highest point or about restricted air space. With your maps and planned shoot route, then talk to any local flight school or crop duster about your shoot, workout any changes needed. Aircraft usually have a lot of vibrations, discuss this with the pilot and if he can operation at low power in this airspace when you shoot. Sometimes, they will agree to a test run, this is one thing that you will not want to pass on! Good luck.

There's some extremely good small remote controlled Helicopters that'll take an FX1 etc. I'd guess these things are way cheaper than anything that'll take two people.

Bob.

Bob, These RC Heli's are a great tool, but you need a live feed from the camera that can be remotely controlled and a special camera rig. This setup can be very expense to buy and setup. Renting is an option, but most rental rigs for consumers, non-government or film business, are usually poor pic qty.