Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Peterson.
Hi Josh, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always had a fascination for drones and the images they have the power to create. In the summer of 2021, I finally decided to purchase my first drone. After months of research on different drones, I landed on buying the DJI Mini 2. Shortly after, I realized how advanced these drones were. It amazed me how such a small, light object flying through the air could carry such a powerful camera, capable of shooting 12 MP photos and 4k videos. My intention for getting a drone was for the pure fun of it. I took my drone everywhere and worked hard to perfect my drone cinematography skills.
I quickly realized I could turn this hobby into something more. Being someone who is also interested in real estate, I thought of how I could connect these two interests of mine. I assumed realtors would benefit from having aerial photos taken of the houses they were selling, as that would enhance their listings significantly. So, I began to reach out to realtors and offer my drone skills and services. I could not believe that I was able to make money from something so fun!
After advertising for my services to the public, I decided I should probably create an online presence for my drone work, especially in today’s digital age. I started an Instagram account, @aerialworkspro, where I created a “journal” for my work. I continued to take photos and videos for fun, sharpening my skills whenever I got the chance, while still doing some real estate work on the side. I worked hard each day to grow my following and engagement on social media, which could be a full-time job in and of itself. While I am still growing my online presence, I feel proud of the growth I have achieved thus far.
A few months went by, and I was starting to want better. Better pictures, better videos, better opportunities. I made the decision to purchase an even more advanced drone – the DJI Air 2S. This drone is one of the most professionally made drones that DJI offers. It is capable of shooting videos in 8k and photos in 20 MP all possible with the 1″ Type CMOS sensor. The features of this drone has made my photography and videography even more breathtaking than I ever thought possible from the air.
While I have slowed down a bit from real estate work, I have put more of my focus into landscape photography and videography. My future intentions are to grow my online presence as much as possible, and hopefully be able to sell my work to let others enjoy it as well. Drone photography/videography has a big future, as it is cheaper and more practical than flying a helicopter with cameras. I wanted to jump into the industry while it is new and exploding, and I am so happy that I did.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There has been plenty of unprecedented obstacles and challenges that arose after starting this small business. I don’t think starting a business is ever a smooth road, and this is definitely no different. In the beginning, my challenges were more about perfecting my drone operating skills – becoming smoother, steadier, and knowing when and how to take that perfect shot. Now that I am much more comfortable in my drone operating, there have been plenty of new challenges that arose.
One of the most challenging parts of this business has been getting on my feet – and I still feel like I am in the midst of that challenge! Marketing yourself and your business on social media is not as easy as it seems, and it takes a lot of time. However, I have already seen quite a bit of success from my efforts, and I know I will continue to see success through my hard work and dedication.
This is something I am very passionate about and I am willing to work through the hard times and obstacles in my path to be able to pursue this hobby as a full-time job.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about AerialWorksPro?
At AerialWorksPro, we use drones to create incredible photos and videos for our clients to enjoy and utilize in any way they might need. We have done real estate photography, agriculture surveying, and landscape photography/videography, and are working on expanding our services. Our main goal is to create an experience and memories that will last a lifetime. Our clients come first, so we are working on building a team of professionals to be prepared for the opportunities we are given, whenever they are given to us.
What’s next?
In the future, we are hoping to expand to anything and everything, including: events, home/roof inspections, land mapping, and surveying, insurance claim processing, crop monitoring, and stock photography. We want to be able to meet the needs of all our clients, whatever that need may be, and give them an unforgettable experience.
We plan to start a website soon, where you will find anything and everything aerial. We have plans of selling our photos in prints and many other various forms. We hope to grow our company as much as possible, both online and in-person and introduce the world to the beauty that is aerial photography.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: aerialworkspro
- Facebook: aerialworkspro
Image Credits
aerialworkspro
