"Jason Hawkes has been capturing the capital from the skies for over 25 years, and his method is not for the faint-hearted. Flying in a helicopter with the doors removed, Mr Hawkes climbs between 500ft and 2,400ft. Both himself and the camera are harnessed to the helicopter so nothing falls out when it turns on its side to get the perfect shot."
"Mr Hawkes told The Standard: I love shooting stuff at night. Everything looks so cool; it's like you're in a film, it's just nuts. My favourite jobs are dawn shoots in the summer. I get to the hanger at 4.30am and we often lift by 5.30am to get into town for the very first sunlight. On a clear day with light winds there is nothing like it."
"Meanwhile drone photography specialist Chris Gorman said often aerial pics can immediately sum up a story, such as his birds eye view of parched brown grass on Wimbledon Common, soon before the hosepipe ban was introduced in July. Wimbledon Common in July 2025 You need various permissions to fly a drone in the capital, especially in central London, such as from the Met Police. Public safety, flight and helicopter paths and privacy determine whether you can operate a drone."
London's skyline and crowded streets are striking from aerial viewpoints captured by cameras on helicopters and drones. Jason Hawkes has taken aerial images for over 25 years, climbing between 500ft and 2,400ft in doorless helicopters with both photographer and camera harnessed for safety. Hawkes prefers night and early summer dawn shoots to capture cinematic light. Drone specialist Chris Gorman captures timely stories, such as parched grass on Wimbledon Common before a hosepipe ban and Winter Wonderland’s chaotic contrast with the city. Flying drones in central London requires multiple permissions addressing public safety, flight paths, helicopter routes, and privacy.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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