Drone Photography Graeme Taplin

16/08/2026

Sunday’s forecast for misty conditions came true, with a layer of mist settling across the South Norfolk countryside.

Around 5:30am, I launched the drone to fly above the mist and capture the sunrise as the early light reflected across the farmland landscape.

It made for a beautiful and atmospheric start to the day. 🎥

15/08/2026

St Benet's Abbey, Norfolk Broads.

An image I rediscovered this week for a 'Reflections' theme 📷. Entitled: "When we used to have rain in Norfolk"

In late 2019, the meadows around the Abbey were flooded for weeks.

Visit Norfolk Broads National Park Met Office

10/08/2026

Recently, I had the opportunity to photograph and film the sunflower fields at Westgate Farm in Walsingham, North Norfolk.

Alongside barley and wheat, the tenant farmers grows 30 acres of sunflowers and reports they are having the best crop in 5 years. Around 3 million seeds were planted with the sunflowers eventually harvested in October and sold for bird seed.

The public are invited to visit the fields and pick their own flowers, and for the second year running, I’ve taken the opportunity to capture this incredible sight, with the field to myself. 📷

It’s an awesome, colourful view across the landscape, both from the air and at ground level. The combination of the vast fields, thousands of sunflowers and the early morning and evening light makes it a pretty spectacular place to photograph.

A short video from this year’s sunrise and sunset visits. 🌻

06/08/2026

This summer marks 10 years since I founded Drone Photography Ltd.

What started with photographing residential properties has grown into a business that now captures everything from farms and country estates across the UK for marketing campaigns to complex engineering projects high above the streets of the City of London.

One of the many highlights has been photographing and filming Novum Structures Europe's UK impressive ETFE rooftop and interior installations, where every project brings its own planning and logistical challenges. More recently, I've had the opportunity to provide aerial drone footage for the BBC drama series Lynley, produced by Playground Entertainment, as well as filming a of Cornwall farm estate in Herefordshire on behalf of Ceres Rural.

The variety of projects that come my way is one of the things I enjoy most. No two weeks are ever the same, and every assignment presents a new challenge.

A huge thank you to all the clients, collaborators and friends who have trusted me with their projects over the past decade.

Here are a few random highlights from the last 10 years. Here's to the next 10!

• Sandsend sunrise while photographing the four seasons for Mulgrave Estate, North Yorkshire.
• Victoria House, Bloomsbury Square, London – photographing NOVUM Structures UK ETFE rooftop installation.
• Capturing the beauty of the Danby Moors for the Dawnay Estates Ltd, North Yorkshire.
• Kings Quarter, Gloucester – photographing a Novum Structures project - the link bridge connecting Kings Square to the Forum development.
• Sunset over rolling farmland on a Duchy of Cornwall farming estate in Herefordshire.
• Providing aerial drone footage for the BBC drama series Lynley, produced by Playground Entertainment.

23/07/2026

Commercial drone photography is never just about turning up, launching a drone and pressing record.

Every flight in central London airspace requires careful planning, co-ordination and approval, long before the drone ever leaves the launch point.

Over recent months, I've photographed and filmed several UK projects across central London. They include ETFE System installations at Victoria House Bloomsbury Square and 90 The Acre Covent Garden, and an impressive Glazed Atrium Skylight and Glazed Lift Shaft at Marylebone Square.

These projects are unique because they require me to launch the drone from the building rooftop. This is essential to maintain visual line of sight with the drone while monitoring the surrounding airspace, as well as keeping an eye out for London's ever present gulls!

Here's a typical timeline of what happens behind the scenes before a single image is captured:

2–3 months before the photo shoot
The process begins by contacting the building management team to obtain facility approval to photograph and film the rooftop installation. This involves providing details including:
• CAA commercial drone authorisation and operator IDs
• Public liability insurance
• Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS) submission schedule
• Proposed dates, times and duration
• Rooftop access requirements
* Once reviewed, the project receives initial approval.
* Check for NOTAM and temporary airspace restrictions

2–3 weeks before
I carry out a site visit to inspect the rooftop, assess potential risks and establish a safe flight plan. The formal documentation is then submitted, including:
• RAMS
• Contractor's permit application
• Preferred filming date and time
* Check for NOTAM and temporary airspace restrictions.

Airspace coordination also takes place with the Metropolitan Police Service Film Unit, who are provided with the planned flight details and operating window. A CAD reference number is issued for the day, helping to prevent unnecessary reports from members of the public who spot the drone overhead.

1 week before
Final approvals are in place and with a bit of luck, the weather forecast is looking favourable. Preferably light wind and sunny conditions.

Shoot day
During the warmer months, I aim for an early rooftop start to avoid the worst of the heat and make the most of the calmer morning conditions.

The result
Successful photography 📷 and video 🎥 of another impressive NOVUM Structures UK Europe ETFE installation.

Professional drone operations are about far more than flying. Most people only see the finished aerial image, but the planning behind every flight is often the biggest part of the job.

Were you surprised by how much preparation is involved?

04/07/2026

A brief reflection on the first six months of 2026.

It's been a busy and rewarding start to the year, with a mix of challenging and exciting photography and filmmaking projects for clients. Discovering new locations across the UK, and returning to some familiar landscapes abroad.

Image 1: The Thames Estuary at low tide – my annual winter visit to Southend-on-Sea Essex to capture the stranded boats at sunrise.

Image 2: Vestrahorn at sunset during my annual winter photography tour of 's south-east coast.

Image 3: Spring arrives in Blickling Woods , capturing the famous display of English bluebells.

Image 4: Photographing and filming the potato planting on a Norfolk farm for &Co Rural LLP Kings Lynn office, creating imagery for their marketing campaign.

Image 5: A trip to Herefordshire to photograph and film a beautiful rural estate for Ceres Rural – an opportunity to work in a completely new location.

Image 6 & 7: The dome at Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre University of Oxford provided the setting for another fabulous project with NOVUM Structures UK.

I'm looking forward to what the next six months will bring, including trips to Australia, Snowdonia and the Anglesey coast, more exciting projects with Novum Structures, and plenty more opportunities to explore, create and tell new stories.

Here's to a great second half of 2026 📷 🎥

31/05/2026

Well worth the sunrise outing to capture this photo 📷

🌟📸 Competition Top 4 Highlights 🏆⁠
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🥇 Congratulations Drone Photography Graeme Taplin‬⁠
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23/04/2026

Shingle Street on the Suffolk coast has been a favourite photography location of mine for the past five or six years. The landscapes and seascapes are unmistakably Suffolk - raw, atmospheric, and constantly shifting with the seasons. I keep finding myself drawn back to capture its character throughout the year.

This 60 seconds video is an outtake from a short film showcasing the four seasons at Shingle Street - coming soon 🎥 .

If you’re looking for distinctive visual content for your website or creative campaigns, feel free to get in touch.

17/04/2026

One of the most interesting filming projects I’ve worked on recently was for Hellesdon Dental Care in Norwich, Norfolk…..who also happen to be my own dentists!

The brief was to produce a series of promotional videos alongside a portfolio of photography to support the launch of a new website and ongoing social media content.

I collaborated with Norfolk based filmmaker Alex Irven of Fire Pit Media. Alex developed the storyboard, led the main camera work and editing, while I handled mobile gimbal footage, drone shots, and the photography shoots.

Having worked together for over 8 years, often providing aerial drone footage for Alex’s film projects, it was great to combine our specialist skills again to deliver something truly high quality for the client.

Following an initial meeting with Chris, Gerogette and the team at the practice, we completed filming over a full day. The final output included:

• A 2 minute flagship video for the website
• 3 videos highlighting key personnel and technology
• 2 additional edits tailored specifically for social media platforms like Instagram.

This was a unique and rewarding project and a great collaboration once again.

We were also delighted to receive this feedback from the client:
“To Graeme and Alex, thank you for all your dedication and excellent photography and filming. You’re the best!
With kindest regards, Chris, Georgette and the Hellesdon Team.”

If you're planning a website launch, rebrand, or simply want to elevate your visual content to showcase your business, please get in touch.
E: [email protected]