Pole Aerial Photography for Listing Homes

Pole Aerial Photography (PAP) is just attaching your camera to a pole, hoisting it up and taking a video or picture. It can dramatically improve pictures. Being in Real Estate I particularly like to use it for front and rear elevations.

It also has potential in tight spaces as well as creating a different perspectives in many settings.

While well suited for Real Estate it’s certainly not limited to it. I photographed an entire wedding with a PAP set up. There were 2 other photographers shooting but a few of mine were the couples favorites like this moment.

Most people think that PAP is out of there price range but I’m here to tell you that you probably have most everything you need to get started in your garage with the exception of one relatively inexpensive piece of equipment called a Pole Pixie. You can order the Pole Pixie from http://www.polepixie.com . They’re around $30. They also have a full line of Professional PAP systems.

Next you need a pole. A standard painter, window washing pole with a threaded tip. Even a lot of mop or broom handles would work. I personally prefer the Mr. LongArm Window Washing Pole because it’s very sturdy, easy to extend and extends to 18 feet giving me up to 22 feet of possible height. I think I got mine at Lowes or Home Depot.

The last thing you need to get started is a camera. You can even use a cell phone. just get an extra case for it and glue the appropriate not to it.

That’s it you’re ready to PAP. Screw your Pole Pixie to your Pole, screw your camera to the Pole Pixie, set the camera to 5 or more second delay, hoist and bingo. Your shooting blind so just repeat the process until you get the desired results. Excluding the camera the whole set up is well under $100.

You’re probably going to want to expand on this system eventually. Adding a head from a tripod is an excellent addition that can cost nothing or next to it. If you already own a tripod just remove the head and mount it to the Pole Pixie and then mount your camera. It will give you a lot of flexibility in adjusting the angles for the best shot possible. If you don’t own a tripod check your local Goodwill or Thrift Store. I scored a great head on an otherwise broken tripod for a couple of bucks. If your shooting with a DSLR you probably will want a remote shutter trigger. I got a Vello wireless that has served me well at B & H Photography. The only thing I don’t like about it is it fits into my flash shoe and disable my flash. They’re around $60. If you’re using a cell phone I’d recommend getting a wide angle lens adapter. Eventually I’m going to get some way to interface my DSLR to my ipad so I can see what I’m getting from the ground. It would be nice to have a smart phone app for it.

My current Pole Aerial Photography System:

Canon T2i

Canon 10-22 Ultra Wide Angle Lens with Image Stabilization

Mr. LongArm Pole extendable to 18′

Standard Pole Pixie

Vello FreeWave Wireless Remote Shutter Release