DRONE VIDEOGRAPHY

The world as we know it just looks different from the air. In 2020, my dad surprised me with a drone as a Christmas gift. I had never flown one before, but once I began to figure out the controls, I was hooked.

Over time I began to practice various flight and camera maneuvers, trying to be mindful of composition all while keeping my tiny aircraft out of harm’s way. As my comfort level with flying increased, my footage improved – so much so that it wasn’t much longer before our department at work bought the best “prosumer” drone on the market – the DJI Mavic 3 Cine.

I still find myself in awe of what that tiny little camera on an aircraft no larger than 18″ in diameter can capture, or what said aircraft is capable of in terms of speed, stability, and responsiveness. At Crete, our subject matter is almost always on the move, so being Part 107 Certified and knowing both the limitations and potential of our aircraft is particularly helpful when trying to keep up with a truck that is headed for its next destination.

When I’m not flying commercially for my employer, I love to launch in the wide open of rural western Nebraska where my family farms. I have even been able to grab a few glimpses of the harvest crew in full sync, which is truly a beauty to behold.