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CAA Authorised Drone Pilot

With over 8 years of flying and 15 years of post-production experience, (cutting brand-funded, commercial and cinematic projects), I know exactly which aerial shots work best.

I have a lot of experience flying drones in Central London and other hard to reach areas such as airport FRZs. For these projects I liaise with NATs (the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services) and the PaDP (Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection), a specialist unit of London’s Metropolitan Police.

Getting permissions, permits and paperwork processed doesn’t have to be hard work, but can take time, so do send in your requests with as much notice as possible. If you know the postcode, I can run checks and let you know if there are any restrictions in place.

Footage will be supplied high-res (5.1K or 4K), unedited or edited and ready for your platform, set in an easy and stress free workflow that works for you.

Contact me with details of your project for an immediate quote and a breakdown of the workflow, from planning the shoot to uploading the finished product.


You can read about a case study of my on-location drone workflow in this
Definition Magazine Feature for Samsung.

I'm also featured in the Top 9 London Drone Pilots on Wedio.com.

Mavic 3 Pro

Commercial

I've covered commercial projects from News Clips for BBC, ITV and Sky to Channel 4's annual Super Hero Triathlon, Festivals, Brand-Funded Promos, Documentaries and Real Estate.

Architectural

The other sectors I cover includes - Architectural Surveys, Construction Projects and Council Planning.

  • "Never have I dealt with such professionalism on the ground. I can’t thank you enough for the incredible effort".
    Hannah Emerson-Thomas - Newsroom Editor - ITV

  • "Jake’s expertise in drone photography has elevated our projects numerous times, and to top it off - he's super easy to work with".
    Sonia Singh - Producer - Dezeen

  • Jake brings that extra level of professionalism that raises the bar for your aerial requirements.
    Jim Meehan - Aerial Imaging Tech - SkyHeld Cameras

  • Jake is a life-saver. An endless source of creative input, energy, dedication and positivity.
    Dan Hammersley - Managing Director - Hold Your Fire

  • Jake makes every video project a breeze.  Victoria Cairns - Creative Director, Ink & Air Productions

  • Creative, Flexible, Unflappable, Jake was a pleasure to work with.  Clare Sutton - Video Production Executive - MCM Creative Group

  • Jake brought a brilliant energy to a super challenging brief.
    I can't appreciate enough his adaptability and organised logic. Dani Greenwald - Lead Creative - Visit Britain / AYS

  • Jake picked up a project at the last minute and delivered exactly what the client required.
    He’s responsive, adaptable and supported us throughout.  Simeon Klein - Producer - Kids Industries

  • We have really enjoyed working with Jake here at digital:works. Nothing seems to be too much trouble. Sav Kyriacou - Senior Producer - digital:works

  • If you’re not sure what you want, hand your project to Jake and watch what happens.
    If you do know what you want, it’ll end up far better than expected. Michael Redwood - Director

Workflow & Kit

Once I have some basic information about your needs, I will quote you a competitive half day-rate which includes all background checks, communication with NATS, Heliports and the PaDP Police unit (for central London shoots) where necessary, risk assessments, kit and up to £10m public liability insurance.

Once the shoot is complete, footage can be supplied immediately, uncut, trimmed or fully edited and graded, ready for your platform. (Platforms include websites, YouTube, Instagram, broadcast etc).

Contact me with details of your project for an immediate quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have the legal requirements?

Yes, I have an Operational Authorisation from the CAA. This means I will comply with strict safety regulations for drones over 250g. You can request a copy of my Operational Authorisation here.

Do you have correct insurance?

Yes, as part of the CAA requirement all commercial drone operators need insurance. Mine is fully compliant with the European law EC 785/2004. This can be provided on request.

Can you send me an accurate quote?

Yes, I will email a form requesting details about the site, the project and the time and travel needed. After checking that the site is safe to fly from I can give you an accurate quote for my services.

Are there any hidden costs?

No, the quote would detail all of the possible costs inclusive. I would give you the clear option of opting in to any additional services, such as video editing or additional filming.

Do you have any conditions?

Only related to weather. If the job is booked with an outlook of good weather and the weather suddenly turns bad, I can allow a rebooking. However, a small deposit would need to be paid.

How long does a shoot take?

Drone operations will be fully planned and usually cover the necessary shots in 2-4 hours. Time will be allowed for footage to be reviewed in order to cover any remaining shots, or re-takes.

Does the job include photography

The job would normally be specified as a photography job or a filming job, however the two can quite easily merge. It would be best to focus on one and then the other where possible.

Can you do the video editing?

As I am a seasoned video editor, I can cut the video, even on location where necessary. My rates for editing will be tailored for your need, from a basic hourly rate to a full day rate for a polished edit.

What equipment do I use?

I operate a DJI Mavic 3 Pro and Mini 4 Pro. These UAVs require one operator, though it’s always helpful to have an observer once they have been briefed.

Can you film in Central London?

Yes, I have experience filming in central London. Some areas require an NSF request with NATS and communication with Police Ranger Control (PaDP), but in most cases the flights are straightforward.

Do you shoot internationally?

Yes I am able to travel where drone regulations and insurance can be covered by my paperwork. Drones of this size are very easy to transport and are ideal for remote filming locations.

Can you film indoors?

Yes, it is possible where space is available to safely film indoors. This can include conference rooms, warehouses, museums and hotels. Please give as many details as you can when you get in touch.