The technology:
High-altitude photographs taken from aircraft or helicopters. Wide coverage, large-area documentation, and base images for aerial integration with 3D rendered buildings.
Aerial photography is taken from fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters at altitudes where a drone cannot legally or practically fly. The advantage over drone photography is coverage — a single aerial photograph can capture an entire district, a large infrastructure site, or an urban block in one frame. We work with contracted pilots in Hungary and source reliable local operators for projects abroad.
What aerial photography is used for
Documentation of large sites — airports, logistics parks, industrial zones, large residential developments. A single overflight can capture the complete context that would require many drone flights to cover.
Base images for aerial integration — the most common use is as the starting point for Aerial Integration, where a proposed building is rendered and composited into the real aerial photograph. Aerial photographs shot with a specific project in mind are framed and exposed with the integration in mind — we know where the building will go and plan the flight accordingly.
Master planning context — showing existing conditions across a large area for urban planning, environmental impact, or master plan presentations.
Progress documentation — periodic overflights of large construction sites at consistent altitude and orientation.
How a shoot is planned
For integration projects specifically, we plan the flight before commissioning it. We position a virtual camera in the 3D model of the site, find angles that show the proposed building most effectively, and define the altitude and flight path from that. The pilot captures those specific angles, which then become the compositing base. This avoids paying for aerial photography that turns out to be unusable for the integration.
For pure documentation, we define coverage requirements and altitude range, and the pilot uses professional judgment on the day based on conditions.
In Hungary we coordinate with our own trusted pilots. Abroad, we source local operators with appropriate certifications and equipment.
What we need from you
| Location | Site coordinates and the extent of the area to be covered. |
| Purpose | Documentation or integration base? The answer determines how the shoot is planned. |
| Required angles | For integration: we define these from the 3D model before the shoot. For documentation: any specific viewpoints to prioritize. |
| Timing | Time of day and season affect shadows and lighting. Sun angle for integration must match the intended render lighting. |
| Restrictions | Flight restrictions, controlled airspace, or any access considerations affecting the area. |
Related techniques
For precise lower-altitude views of specific buildings with more flexible positioning: Drone Photography
For compositing a proposed building into the aerial photograph: Aerial Integration
