Why I Fly: A New Perspective on the World
Why I Fly: A New Perspective on the World
A few years ago, I picked up my first drone — the Mavic Pro 2 — with curiosity more than conviction. I’d always loved photography, but I never expected how quickly drone flying would shift not just how I shoot, but how I see the world.
A Different Angle on Photography
Traditional photography often keeps you grounded — quite literally. You walk, climb, crawl, or wait for the right moment. But with a drone, the limitations start to dissolve. Suddenly, you can float above the tree line, trace the edge of a coastline, or hover above winding roads that would take hours to reach on foot. Drones don’t just help you see differently — they help you think differently as a photographer.
What drew me in wasn’t just the technical thrill of flying, but the creative opportunities that opened up. Patterns that are invisible from the ground come alive from the sky — symmetry in architecture, natural shapes in landscapes, or even the simple contrast between man-made lines and wild nature.
Accessing the Inaccessible
One of the biggest advantages of drone photography is access. Places that are difficult or dangerous to reach — cliffs, frozen lakes, forest clearings — become reachable within seconds. I’ve used my drone to scout locations for shoots, explore natural sites, or simply to enjoy the peace of a high view without having to physically be there.
It’s not always smooth sailing, though.
Crashes, Snow, and Dead Batteries
Like every drone pilot, I’ve had my share of mishaps. Trees have caught my drone mid-flight more than once, and flying in snow — while beautiful — brings its own challenges. But the most memorable incident? I lost battery power mid-flight during a snowy session, and the drone auto-landed two kilometers away. I had to trek through deep snow to retrieve it. It wasn’t exactly fun at the time, but looking back, it's one of those stories you end up grateful for. Part of the adventure.
Why It’s Worth It
Despite the crashes, cold hands, and long walks, it’s always worth it. Drone photography has become a part of how I experience places. It offers a kind of calm detachment — a way to see familiar places with fresh eyes. You’re not just documenting a scene; you’re reimagining it from above.
Flying a drone taught me that photography isn’t always about being in the middle of the action — sometimes it’s about stepping back (or above) and seeing how everything fits together. It changed my creative process, my workflow, and even how I think about space and composition.
And that’s why I fly.