The beginner’s guide to getting the best photos during your helicopter flight

The beginner’s guide to getting the best photos during your helicopter flight

A helicopter flight is a memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience many cherish. When flying up high above Sydney and the surrounding regions, you will discover some of the most picturesque landscapes in the world.

Whilst flying, many of our passengers like to cement the exclusive views through film and photography. Not only is this a visual way to share your experience with loved ones, but it makes the freedom you felt up in the sky easy to remember.

The best part? You don’t need to be an experienced photographer to get some breathtaking images from your trip! You just need a few simple tips to help you get the best shots.

To make the most of photo opportunities during our helicopter flights, read below for our tips.

sydney helicopters

Choose the right time of day

If you are adamant about getting gorgeous pictures during your tour, make sure you consider the time of the day you book your helicopter flight.

Offering soft lighting, some of the best photo opportunities during your flight can be found during golden hour in the late afternoon before sunset. This won’t just flatter the scenery, but it can create an awe-inspiring backdrop when capturing the sky.

Otherwise, late mornings are also recommended. While midday provides a strong light source, it isn’t as soft as the prime times mentioned above, impacting exposure levels.

Opt for dark clothes

Yes, even your clothes should be considered when taking to the skies. To minimise reflection, we recommend wearing all-dark clothing.

Ideally, wearing dark full-length items is recommended. When wearing light clothes, the colours may be reflected in the helicopter’s windows, interrupting and making their way into your photography. Wearing dark clothes will limit the chance of this happening.

Sydney Helicopters

Have your camera ready to go

Once you get onto our aircraft, you will want to make sure you have your camera ready to go. This means having it turned on, set up and ready for action!

There is nothing worse than rushing at the start of your flight to get the camera ready! By having your camera prepared on standby, you will get more photo opportunities and have less chance of missing certain angles and locations. This is most critical during our scenic flights through Sydney.

We recommend optimising your camera settings before take-off and charging your phone or camera to total capacity prior to your flight.

Sydney Helicopters

Hold your camera properly

Communication is key! During your helicopter experience, we strive to deliver customer satisfaction. Our pilots are professional and reliable, so please inform your pilot if you have a question or want to take a particular picture.

Our team has been flying the Sydney skyline since 1985. We are experts in our trade and can give you tips for popular photo opportunities. Plus, we can accommodate requests where we can if you have a certain point you want us to slow down for photo opportunities.

Talk to your pilot

Communication is key! During your helicopter experience, we strive to deliver customer satisfaction. Our pilots are professional and reliable, so please inform your pilot if you have a question or want to take a particular picture.

Our team has been flying the Sydney skyline since 1985. We are experts in our trade and can give you tips for popular photo opportunities. Plus, we can accommodate requests where we can if you have a certain point you want us to slow down for photo opportunities.


Now that you’ve read through our tips, make sure to book your trip! Think about where and what you want to see most while in the sky to get the best pictures.

Alternatively, for official footage, we offer airwork services for photography and filming purposes. Whether you need images for a portfolio, website or birds-eye footage for a film or video, we provide you with the best result using our equipped aircraft.

To find out more about our services, visit our website. Alternatively, you can also enquire about our tours, services and more by giving us a call on (02) 9637 4455.