What Is the Photography Flight, and Who Is It For?
Sky High Helicopters offers a customizable Photography Flight for aerial work over Santa Barbara, including real estate shoots, film production sequences, and fine-art landscape photography. If you’re a photographer, we can customize the flight around your project and shooting needs. The flight starts at $249 for six minutes and seats up to three passengers. Flexible routes may cover the Santa Barbara coastline and Ventura County mountains. Call ahead to discuss your project before booking.
Unlike a traditional sightseeing flight, Sky High’s Photography Flight is designed specifically for photographers, filmmakers, and creative professionals who need aerial access for a project. The experience offers greater route flexibility and is planned around the needs of your shoot. Sky High describes it as ideal for professional-grade real estate photography, cinematic production sequences, and fine-art landscape photography.
Santa Barbara Aerial Shoot Checklist
Before booking, work through these details:
Shot List. Identify the properties, landmarks, coastlines, or landscapes you want to capture before you call. Sky High can use that information to discuss possible routes and timing with you.
Clothing. Wear dark-colored clothing. Light colors can reflect off the cabin windows and create unwanted flare in photographs. This applies to everyone in the aircraft, not only the photographer.
Timing. Tell the team if your project requires particular lighting, such as early-morning light, an evenly lit midday property, or warmer late-afternoon conditions. Available timing will depend on scheduling, weather, and operational considerations.
Equipment. Bring the camera gear or mobile device you plan to use. Sky High does not provide photography equipment for the flight.
Passenger Count. Each aircraft carries a maximum of three passengers. Plan your crew and equipment needs with that limit in mind.
Private or Shared Flight. Sky High fills available seats to keep standard flights accessible. If your production requires exclusive use of the aircraft, ask about a private charter when you call.
Where Does a Helicopter Outperform Drone Coverage?
Drones work well for detailed, property-level images. A helicopter can often provide broader geographic context, showing how a listing relates to the coastline, surrounding hills, harbor, or city.
That context is especially useful for high-end properties in Santa Barbara and Ventura County where location is a major part of the sale. Drone footage can document a property in detail. Helicopter footage can place it within the wider Southern California landscape.
Aircraft operations and available routes remain subject to weather, airspace, safety, and pilot approval.
What Kinds of Projects Use This Flight?
Sky High describes the Photography Flight as suitable for real estate photography, cinematic production sequences, and fine-art landscape work. Flexible route options cover the Santa Barbara coastline and Ventura County mountains. The team can discuss the available path with you before takeoff.
A production crew might use the flight to capture aerial plates across the Southern California coastline. A real estate agent might need wider images that show a property in relation to the ocean or surrounding hills. A fine-art photographer may use the flight to access coastline and mountain perspectives that are difficult to capture from the ground.
The route, timing, and aircraft arrangement depend on the project, operating conditions, and Sky High’s approval. Share those requirements early rather than trying to solve them on the day of the flight.
How Do You Book It?
The Sky High Photography Flight can be booked by contacting the team directly. Because every project has unique route, timing, and photography requirements, it’s a good idea to discuss your goals with Sky High before reserving your flight.
Send Sky High your shot list before booking. The team can discuss timing, possible routes, passenger requirements, and whether your project needs a private aircraft.
Book the Sky High Photography Flight or call (805) 364-3296. You can also explore Sky High Specialty Flights or contact the Sky High team directly.
Plan Your Aerial Photography Shoot
Whether you’re photographing a luxury property, filming a production, or capturing Southern California’s coastline from above, Sky High’s Photography Flight is designed around your project’s needs.
Book the Sky High Photography Flight or call (805) 364-3296 to discuss your shot list, timing, and aircraft needs before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Photography Flight be used for film and video production? Yes, Sky High specifically lists cinematic production sequences as one of the primary uses for the Photography Flight. Routes are flexible across the Santa Barbara coastline and Ventura County mountains, and are planned around your project before the flight. If you need specific angles, altitude, or multiple passes for a production, call ahead with your shot list so the team can discuss what’s possible before you book.
Can I customize the route for my shoot? Routes are flexible across the Santa Barbara coastline and Ventura County mountains. Call Sky High with your shot list before booking.
What should I wear to reduce glare in my photos? Dark clothing. Light-colored clothing reflects off the cabin glass and shows up as flare in shots. This applies to everyone on the flight.
Can I book the aircraft exclusively for my production? Yes — private charter arrangements are available. Ask when you call.
Is there a weight limit? The maximum per-passenger seat rating is 300 lbs. Sky High weighs each passenger before the flight as part of its standard operating procedures.
Is there an age limit? No age limit. Children under 23 months fly free as lap children.