Aerial photography and filming

Aerial photography and filming is a fantastic way to show a unique perspective. We specialize in aerial photography and filming from helicopters. We will create unforgettable aerial images for you. One phone call to us and we will make your job easy by coordinating all the details including taking your brief, doing a ground survey of the location, matching your needs to our range of talented photographers and cameramen, advising you on options, costing in the helicopter component, agreeing prices, preparing a final quote for your approval then delivering the assignment. In other words, we can offer you a ‘one stop shop’ service.

Our selection of talented aerial photographers and film-makers will produce great custom images for you. Many of the photographs used on this website are indicative of the quality of their work.

These professionals are experienced in producing images for many different industries and will be able to capture ideas or projects on traditional film or high tech digital. All have worked with us on previous aerial assignments and working together as a team we know we can bring your visions and ideas alive with brilliant colour and clarity. Alternatively, if you already have a professional you normally use, and whose aerial photography or filming work you are happy with, we would be pleased to work with them. Whichever route you choose the end result will be exquisitely detailed images.

Aquila has established a specially close working partnership with the Canberra based studio 'Freeswimmers', and is able to offer our clients the talented services of Photographer Belinda Morgan Pratten and Cinematographer Martin Helmreich.

Belinda Morgan Pratten (BEc)
Canberra photographer Belinda Pratten has been working as a professional photographer for fifteen years. She is currently working with freeswimmers as a photographer and a producer. She is a member of the ACMP (Australian Commercial and Magazine Photographers), SPAA (Screen Producer's Association of Australia), the ACT Filmmaker's Network, Photoaccess, and was a foundation board member of the ACT Film and Television Council (2004).

Martin Helmreich
Canberra cinematographer Martin Helmreich has been a lighting cinematographer and editor for sixteen years. Before establishing freeswimmers he worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in the Parliamentary Press Gallery. This included work for; Australian Story, Four Corners, 7.30 Report, sport and general news and current affairs. Prior to this he worked for Television Victoria (Press Gallery), Nine Network (Press Gallery), Win Television, RMC Duntroon and Prime Television Canberra. His industry training and personal creative approach in editorial, documentary, commercial, corporate or underwater cinematography will bring you a unique product.
Martin is a member of the Australian Cinematographer's Society and on our aerial filming work uses a gyro stabilised camera to achieve first class results.

Canberra is characterised by nationally iconic architecture. Custom aerial photography is a staple of the development industry, and documenting project progress or capturing the architectural beauty of projects is one of our specialties. Aquila offers special pricing for regular photographic updates of your projects.

Used for aerial news gathering by over 20 organisations in the USA, our Robinson R44 Raven II makes an excellent, highly stable platform for both video filming and still photography. Shooting from back or front seats with doors removed the photographer or cameraman has a panoramic view plus plenty of space for carrying additional cameras, lenses etc. Sometimes clients, such as property developers, planners, and architects, like to accompany the photographer and pilot to direct the angles and views they particularly want to capture.

Enter photography and video gallery

A cross section of typical assignments completed recently by Aquila Helicopters includes:

  • Aerial filming for Foxtel News Real Estate Program on Property Development in Sth East NSW.
  • Aerial filming for Nine Network 'A Current Affair' re global economic crisis housing impact
  • Aerial Filming of the 'Sorry the first step' candlelight vigil at Parliament House for GetUp and Fairfax - broadcast nationally
  • Aerial filming and photography with ABC Television and Daily Telegraph camera crews of the Defence site kangaroo cull at Belconnen - broadcast nationally and internationally
  • Air to air photography over Canberra International Airport for the RAAF and Australian Aviation magazine of the last remaining Boeing 707 'Richmond Town' operated by the RAAF 33 Squadron
  • Aerial filming and still photography for Islamic Friendship Association of Australia, of the 'Save Gaza Now' candlelight protest on the Parliament House lawns
  • Aerial filming and still photography of the Amnesty International Candlelight Vigil in front of Parliament House for media release by Amnesty - Broadcast nationally on evening News
  • Aerial filming for the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority showing woodland regeneration, river maintenance and erosion protection works from Michelago to Wagga Wagga
  • Aerial News footage for Sapphire Coast Tourism showing the inaugural arrival of the P&O Pacific Princess into Twofold Bay - broadcast on Channel 4 News
  • 17 min documentary DVD for the Canberra Railway Historical Society, Paperchain Bookstore and Australian Capital Tourism tracking the progress of vintage steam locomotive 1210 on a special journey from Canberra to Royalla and return
  • Aerial filming of the landscape at the location of the new Canberra ‘International Arboretum’ for use by landscape designers
  • Aerial photography for Audi Cars for an international edition Audi magazine article featuring the new Audi Cabriolet
  • Aerial filming for Canberra Off Road Cyclists and SBS of the start of the Mont Australian 24 hour Mountain Bike Endurance Race in the Cowan Forests
  • Aerial photography of the Australian High Court, National Gallery and Reconciliation Place for a firm of architects
  • 3 hours of aerial photography of over 40 sites for Queanbeyan City Council
  • Aerial photography of Floriade for Australian Capital Tourism
  • Aerial photography for firm of developers on progress of new building developments in Gungahlin
  • Aerial filming and photography of Geoscience Australia Buildings for use by the organisation in publicity materials
  • Aerial photography of the Ulysses Motor Bike Club annual gathering and parade held in Canberra
  • Photography of rural properties for owners and photography of properties for estate agents
  • Aerial filming of the Canberra Hot Air Balloon Festival for a TV documentary broadcast nationally
  • Aerial filming of the ACT water catchment and dams water crisis for WIN Television News - broadcast that evening

Please contact us on 0412 066766 if you would like to discuss your project.