Aerial Photography and Videography

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Raf Willems, Photographer of Drone-LasVegas, located in Las Vegas, NV, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Our company Drone-LasVegas is focused on shooting photos and videos for a diverse range of customers. We work a lot for TV stations and production companies in Europe. They often come to Vegas with a film crew, but they are not allowed to fly a drone in the USA. I am from Europe and still have my contacts there. The fact that I speak their language is also an advantage. My background as an advertising photographer makes that we work a lot for advertising agencies. We also sell fine art prints. And we deliver aerial imagery for feature films but also high-end real estate, architects, construction 3D renderings, music videos, and during live events.

Tell us about yourself

I started working as a photographer about 25 years ago, and since then, I’ve been working with many advertising agencies from Europe, South Africa, and Brazil. So I’m used to being my own boss; I’ve always liked the freedom of working on a freelance basis. In 2013, when drones were still a new technology, I’ve opened my first drone photography business in Brazil, and since then, we kept growing and moved to the USA. I am a photographer with a drone; I use drones as a tripod to put my camera in a certain place. A lot of the competitors are drone operators who take pictures. I am a photographer using a drone. That is different. For me, it’s all about lighting and composition; I use the drone to get a certain shot. It’s a lot more than just flying and clicking.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

It’s very rewarding to see our images on billboards, in magazines, in films, and on TV. My work is shown in exhibitions, museums, and art shows. The variety of publications gives us so much positive feedback, from advertising clients to people who have a big art print in their living room. It’s great when you can make a living doing what you love. We won numerous international awards for photography and film over the years.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

The work of a business owner never stops. When I go home after a whole day of shooting, I always bring the work with me. There is a lot of post-production work to be done, and at the same time, I am preparing for the next shoot. A lot of shoots have to be done on the weekend and sometimes at night. Sometimes you have to travel a lot and work in the heat or in the cold. There is also a lot of paperwork involved, authorizations, insurance, etc. It can be tough, mentally and physically. My house is always full of equipment, flight cases, cables, disks, and prints. My wife is not very happy with that, lol.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Always adapt to new technologies. I made the switch from analog to digital photography pretty quickly. I started to work with drones as soon as they could carry a decent camera. I realized that drones could help me to show my subject in a unique way, so I immediately jumped on it. Every new technology brings new opportunities.
Look for a niche. Always be a step ahead. Clients will love it when you can give them something unique.
Never forget what you are passionate about. Just do what you love to do.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://drone-lasvegas.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DroneLasVegas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rafwillems72/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafwillemsphotography/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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