San Francisco photographer Carl Costas’ good friend and fellow commercial photographer Keith Sutter referred Carl to Landmark Construction when Keith was unable to work their next assignment. Carl was in the process of transitioning from 3D Robotics back to DJI Drones when the construction company called him saying they had some work they needed him to photograph. Landmark was looking for industrial and drone photography of their workers building a state-of-the-art smart school in the community of Daly City, California.
To start the project off, Carl needed to build trust with Landmark. He started the conversation with things like his background in remote flight, his FAA commercial certification, and his comprehensive insurance policy, which tends to allay fears and get him to a point where they can begin talking about their needs.
Every gig that comes in the door is challenging in different ways. That’s part of the appeal. The first and arguably the tallest hurdle with this and projects like it are safety and regulations. I reference resources like SkyVector, for aeronautical maps, HoverApp, for on-site GPS data, as well as satellite images, local weather forecasts, and real-time radar information. I also like to walk the site before the day we fly, if possible.
Keith loaned Carl one of his drones for the upcoming project, as Carl was in the process of upgrading his own drone and would not have his new equipment in time for the shoot. For Carl, Keith’s trust and willingness to lend him a drone was the ultimate act of friendship, and an act he will not soon forget.
For Carl, it’s not putting the drone in the air or unlocking the three-dimensional puzzle that’s the hard part. There are manuals and a host of Youtubers out there that can teach you how to pilot a small plane in a relatively short amount of time. For him, what takes time is earning trust and putting the client and subjects at ease. Clients want someone who can help rather than hinder the progress of a multi-million dollar construction project. To have someone like Carl with a background in remote flight and a FAA commercial certification is a valuable asset to any client looking to take their photography or video needs to the next level.
One of the things I’ve learned about working in this sector is that large scale construction is a symphony of moving parts, my job is to do my one thing and do it well.
Because Carl took his time developing a trusting relationship with Landmark, he was able to have an enormous amount of creative control. Additionally, the guys he mingled with in the field couldn’t have been any cooler. Carl loved to be around these men who had decades of experience building things with their hands, at all hours, rain or shine.
Landmark Construction was pleased with the results of the project and has recognized Carl’s experience in the industry. Regardless of the fact that he’s nestling cameras in the mud under a convoy of cement trucks or buzzing around their workplace with drones, the phone is still ringing, jobs keep coming in, and he’s even able to grab a smile from the grumpiest of construction workers.
Carl had a great experience with Landmark Construction, and they continue to call him for assignments.
See more of Carl’s work on his website.
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