Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Smith.
Tony, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For the past decade, I’ve worked for advertising agencies in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis, helping brands become more relevant through strategic insights and creative outputs. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I felt a desire to transition my creative talents into something of my own that I could have complete control of. Unsure of what that service could be, I randomly came across an advertisement on Facebook for a drone and purchased it as a hobby.
Being an Air Force veteran, my fascination with aviation and a career in advertising was a natural blend that sparked a path towards producing creativity in the sky. For the next six months I studied everything there was to learn about post-production, editing, and how to obtain my Part 107 pilot license to become a commercial pilot. After obtaining my license, I started Airborne Perspectives, LLC, a drone cinematography service that is meant to be affordable and approachable for small businesses, events, and sports.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The hardest part about having a small business is breaking through the wall of gatekeepers. There is only so much time to research who is the best audience for your organic outreach. While this challenge can be intimidating and frustrating, those moments when you do connect with the right person to make a positive impact on their business or team is beyond worth it!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Anyone can buy a drone and take pictures, but the real magic is in having an eye for telling a good story and elevating the normal into the incredible. I specialize in giving small businesses, coaches and people access to Hollywood stye imagery and photography at an affordable price that is collaborative.
Unlike other drone photographers, I have a decade of experience in advertising which allows me to help not just capture images, but write scripts and captivate an audience in a world of short attention spans. I’m most proud of and excited about my new partnership with the Minnesota Whitecaps. I want to elevate women’s athletics to get on the radar of fans in a crowded sports market, look for exciting aerial women’s hockey content coming soon!
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
There will definitely be more regulations on drone pilots over the next 5-10 years, making content harder to capture. With more and more drones being sold to amateurs, the mistakes they make put a damper on every professional in the industry. While I see a desire for professional drone photography to increase thanks to viral videos from Sky Candy Studios’ work with Bryant Lake Bowl, I also see it becoming harder to afford with increasing costs to drone pilots and the regulations they must face.
Contact Info:
- Email: Pilot@airborneperspectives.com
- Website: https://www.airborneperspectives.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airborneperspectivesdrone/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AirbornePerspectivesDrone
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSfyOR7xX47S4P0jRRu8Wng
