Aerial Photographer in Victoria — What to Know Before Hiring One

Cole Island

I’m not a big fan of pretending to be something I’m not, so let me start here:
I’m not a massive production company, and I’m not trying to sound like I’ve spent decades shooting commercial campaigns. I’m just a Westshore guy who loves getting up before sunrise, flying safely, and showing people places they’ve driven past for years but never really seen from above.

If you’re thinking about hiring someone for aerial photos or video in Greater Victoria, here’s what I’ve learned from actually flying here — consistently, carefully, and with a real respect for the rules and the airspace we’re operating in.

1. Victoria is more complicated to fly than most people think

I didn’t fully appreciate this when I first started, but Victoria’s airspace is… a lot.

It looks peaceful from the ground, but the sky is busy and restricted in ways most people never notice:

• constant floatplane movements
• Helijet
• Coast Guard
• ferries and marine corridors
• multiple DND restricted zones
• two active hospital helipads
• a huge YYJ controlled airspace footprint

Most of the city — even neighbourhoods nowhere near the airport — sits inside controlled airspace.

None of this makes flying impossible.
It just makes local knowledge and proper procedures important.

2. You don’t need a photography “expert” — you need someone who flies responsibly

Most people don’t care how many buttons a drone pilot knows how to press.
They just want someone who:

• understands where they’re flying
• respects local restrictions
• doesn’t take risks
• communicates clearly
• and does the job properly

For me, that means:

• I hold Transport Canada Advanced certification
• I file flight plans and NAV CANADA requests when they’re required
• I stay well clear of restricted military zones
• I follow the rules that keep everyone safe — you, me, and the people below

This isn’t something I brag about.
It’s just the baseline for operating here without causing problems.

3. Aerial photos should feel like Vancouver Island — not stock footage

The thing that keeps me doing this isn’t the gear — it’s the way this place looks from above when the light is right.

• that soft, calm morning glow
• muted skies over the Westshore
• the blue-green water that doesn’t look like anywhere else
• rocky edges, tree lines, and quiet neighborhoods waking up

Good aerial photos here don’t need to be dramatic.
They just need to feel like the Island.

4. A simple conversation is enough

Most people don’t come in with a storyboard.
They just tell me the real reason they want a shot:

• “I’m curious what this looks like.”
• “I want something clean for my website.”
• “This place means something to me.”

That’s all it takes.

A short conversation usually tells me everything I need to know about how to approach it.

5. Safety shouldn’t be a sales pitch — it should just be normal

Flying safely in Victoria isn’t optional.
It’s just part of the job.

That means:

• choosing the right launch site
• watching the wind and weather
• planning flight paths
• maintaining line-of-sight
• respecting wildlife and privacy
• making sure flights are legal before they ever happen

Again — none of this should be dramatic.
It should just be assumed.

6. Look for honesty, not perfection

If you’re thinking about hiring someone, it’s okay to ask:

• “Are you comfortable flying in this specific area?”
• “What happens if the weather shifts?”
• “Can you show me a few recent examples?”
• “Is this even a good day for this?”

You don’t need a photographer with an award cabinet.
You just need someone who will tell you the truth.

Final thoughts

Victoria is a beautiful place to photograph from above — and a challenging one to fly in. If the person you hire understands the local rules, respects the airspace, and communicates honestly about what’s possible, the whole process is easy and calm.

If you ever want to talk about an idea or a location you’re curious about, I’m based here in the Westshore and always happy to chat. I file the proper flight plans, I fly within the rules, and I treat every shoot as if it were happening in my own neighbourhood — because most of the time, it is.

Sometimes the simplest photos are the ones people connect with the most.

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Why Everything Starts With a Conversation
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