Drone Photo Workshop – $575

Instructor Bio

Isaac Crabtree has been teaching science at Greenville High School for the past 12 years, and while he has always been interested in taking pictures, it wasn’t until he flew a drone for the first time in 2017 that his interest in technology and the outdoors were combined into a passion for aerial photography. As a life-long learner, Isaac quickly dove into the “University of YouTube,” where he began to understand the connection between the art and science of photography.

Isaac loves capturing the rugged beauty of northern Maine from a new perspective. Aside from being just plain fun to fly, he loves the freedom offered from a drone. Isaac enjoys the places aerial photography takes him. Whether a pre-dawn hike to the top of a mountain for a sunrise flight, or a long dirt road to capture a generations-old family camp, aerial photography has allowed him to explore parts of our state many will likely never see.

Since 2017, he has flown nearly a thousand miles over hundreds of hours. His photos have been featured across numerous social-media platforms, in print, and in galleries. He is a two-time finalist in the Maine Outdoor Film Festival’s Broke and Stoke competition. Isaac lives in the Moosehead Lake region with his wife and daughter. He loves exploring Maine and sharing the beauty it has to offer from a different perspective.

“The Down East drone workshop exceeded my expectations. Instruction was top notch, locations were beautiful, and Down East arranged for some great weather. I recommend the workshop for anyone interested in drone photography. Sign me up again!” – Lawrence L

Workshop Description

Are you new to aerial photography or would like to take your aerial photography to the next level? Learn to fly, photograph, and edit with Isaac Crabtree, of North Woods Aerial. These workshops will be focused on the picturesque midcoast of Maine, with sunrise and sunset flights planned in the Camden and Rockport areas, where we will attempt to capture unique vantages of some iconic Maine imagery. There will also be classroom time focused not only on planning, shooting, and editing, but also on some of the nitty-gritty where it comes to flying commercially (and legally). As a full-time teacher and part-time aerial photographer, Isaac is excited to merge his two passions to help you hone your skills in this fun and developing photographic art form. The schedule for the day begins well before sunrise, where we will meet at the best location given weather conditions. Each participant will have a chance to fly their drone with one-on-one guidance. We will then head to the classroom for editing, discussion, and critiques. After lunch and a break, we will meet at a second location to plan and execute a golden hour and sunset shoot. Lessons are limited to 5 people.

“Issac, the instructor, was amazing! Very individual attention to each person and their experience level.” – Elizabeth S.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lot of experience or expensive gear to take this workshop?

A lot of experience is certainly not needed. Modern GPS camera drones have quite intuitive flight controls and a person can go from having never flown to being comfortable taking pictures in just a few minutes. Those with more experience will be able to expand on their knowledge base and take their skills to the next level. As for gear, drones have a wide range of prices and capabilities. A fully kitted out Mavic 2 Pro can cost around $3,000 (similar to a full-frame DSLR with a kit lens), but a base model such as the newly released Mavic Mini ($399) is a reasonable starter drone that would suffice for this workshop.

What does the workshop schedule look like?

The schedule will be open to weather conditions and will be finalized at the group dinner the night before the workshop. However, assuming perfect conditions, we will meet an hour or so before dawn in the field for a series of one-on-one flights. Then we will head to breakfast and return to the classroom for discussion, editing, and critiques. Break for lunch and a rest and then head back out into the field to a new location for golden hour and sunset flights.

What about transportation?

Participants are responsible for their own transportation. We encourage carpooling to reduce our environmental footprint, and also to park at locations with limited spaces. If you prefer to drive yourself, you can do so.

What about lodging?

Maine is a popular place and many hotels and B&B’s fill up fast. We ask that you stay close to our predetermined morning meet-up location.

What should I wear?

Summertime on the Maine coast is quite unpredictable. We also like to layer, which usually means a base layer of synthetic, fast-wicking material, a warm fleece or soft shell, and a down jacket for cool mornings. Insect repellant can also be a lifesaver as you will have both hands occupied while flying. Other suggested items are found below.

• Insect and tick repellant
• Waterproof outerwear
• Two hats: one for warmth, the other for sun protection

Should I be concerned about ticks?

Yes. All outdoor activities in New England carry the risk of picking up these nasty hitchhikers. Please use bug repellent that you can apply to your skin, or even better, permethrin, which you apply to clothes you plan on wearing in the field. Also, give yourself an extensive review when you get home at night to check for ticks.

What happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate?

We will hold the workshop rain or shine. In the event of wet weather, we will wait for a break in the rain to head out for flights. Some of the best light and conditions come right after a storm rolls through.

Should I bring a laptop?

Yes. We recommend you bring your laptop to follow along during classroom time and to take notes. We will be both editing and critiquing (for those participants comfortable with it) in the classroom. A microSD card reader will also be necessary to get the files from your drone to your computer.

What camera equipment do you recommend I bring?

You will need a drone and whatever that model requires to operate, generally a smartphone or tablet along with the remote.

Cancellations

The payment is 50% refundable in the event you have to cancel, as long as the cancellation is made 21 days before the trip. After that time, your payment is non-refundable. Alternately, 100% of your payment will be refunded if a replacement can be found prior to the trip.

This workshop needs a minimum of three participants. In the event the minimum is not met, we may cancel or offer to move you to a different workshop.