Metro Detroit · Photography / Video / Aerial
Detroit Drone Photography + Aerial Video
Aerial photography and video for broadcasters, production teams, brands, destinations and properties. FAA Part 107 pilot Chris Ahern combines Detroit knowledge with careful flight planning and experience working alongside major production crews.
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Detroit from above. Original aerial photography by Chris Ahern.
Drone services for production, destinations and property.
Broadcast + production
Aerial photography and cinematography for television, documentaries and commercial productions. Plan the shot list, capture format, frame rate and production handoff before the flight.
Destinations + brands
Cityscapes, landmarks, waterfronts and events captured for destination libraries, campaigns and commissioned projects.
Property + development
Aerial context for buildings, sites and developments, with photography and motion available within the agreed assignment.
Credited aerial work. Production experience on the ground.
Chris’s aerial contributions include ESPN Monday Night Football, PBS Detroit’s Holidays at Hudson’s and WDIV’s Detroit Tree Lighting coverage. Separately, he brings more than a decade of field utility experience with Fox Sports, CBS Sports and other major production teams.
Explore published work and production credits →
Aerial view of the 2024 NFL Draft stage and crowd in downtown Detroit
Aerial photograph of Detroit Tree Lighting crowds and the illuminated Campus Martius ice rink
Aerial production experience you can review.
ESPN Monday Night Football
Chris supplied credited aerial footage of the Gordie Howe International Bridge for the Detroit Lions–Tampa Bay Buccaneers broadcast on October 20, 2025.
View the Monday Night Football aerial credit →WDIV Detroit Tree Lighting
Live aerial coverage of Campus Martius Park for WDIV’s November 21, 2025 Detroit Tree Lighting broadcast is part of Chris’s aerial production work.
Watch the WDIV Tree Lighting coverage →For a commissioned production, share the flight location and delivery requirements. For an existing Detroit skyline, landmark or seasonal view, explore photo and drone footage licensing. More broadcast work appears in the 2025 production credits.
From the first conversation to final delivery.
01 · Define the aerial assignment
Share the exact location, filming window, intended shots and how the footage will be used. Include the producer’s delivery specifications and any ground-crew requirements.
02 · Plan the flight and access
Review the location, airspace, permissions, weather, launch area and crew coordination. Agree on workable alternatives when conditions affect the original plan.
03 · Deliver to your workflow
Receive photographs or video in the agreed resolution, recording format and delivery structure, whether the next stop is an edit suite, broadcast team or marketing library.
Questions before we get started.
Are you FAA Part 107 certified?
Yes. Chris is an FAA Part 107 remote pilot. Each assignment is assessed for airspace, access, operating conditions and any necessary authorization.
Can you cover major events or restricted locations?
Share the location and production details early. Feasibility depends on the airspace, restrictions, site access, permissions and operating plan. A booking does not guarantee authorization.
What formats can you provide?
Photography and video capture up to 6K are available depending on the equipment and assignment. Discuss resolution, frame rate, recording format, color workflow and delivery requirements before the shoot.
Can we license existing footage?
Yes. Chris’s Detroit and Michigan archive is available for licensing inquiries. Describe the subject, intended use, distribution and required format.
What happens if the weather changes?
Weather and operating conditions are reviewed for each flight. Scheduling alternatives and the scope of any ground coverage are discussed during planning.
Let’s plan the right coverage.
Send the location, shoot date, aerial shot list and production specifications to plan a Detroit or Michigan drone assignment.
START AN INQUIRY ↗Based in Canton, Chris provides drone photography and aerial video in Detroit, Ann Arbor and across Michigan, with each location and flight window assessed during planning.
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