Camera & Drone Operator in Portugal
Camera & Drone Operator in Portugal for Visiting Crews
I’m a Porto-based camera operator and drone pilot. Visiting crews hire me to shoot, fly, and take care of the ground work: filming and drone permits, location scouting, and a small local crew when needed. Recent work for Viking.TV and Estate Media, from the Douro to the Algarve.
What I do
Camera operator
I join your team and shoot to your director’s brief and look: interviews, talent, b-roll. Sony FX30 with fast zooms and primes from 10 to 105 mm, DJI RS3 gimbal and wireless lav mics.
Drone operator
Licensed pilot for aerials over cities, coast and rivers, including from a moving boat.
Filming and drone permits
City halls, marinas, the maritime authority and restricted airspace. I request, follow up and confirm, so your shoot days aren’t lost to paperwork.
Location scouting
I scout before you land and send photos, access notes and timings for each spot.
Local support
For small teams I handle the local side: Portuguese on the phone, schedules and contacts. When the job needs it, I bring a second camera, an assistant, sound, a gaffer, a driver or a translator from my network.
Recent productions
Viking.TV – “The A–Z of Wine with Shehnaz”
Eight days aboard a Viking river cruise on the Douro as the series’ drone operator, from Porto to the vineyards and back. I secured about 35 flight permits for the route and launched and landed the drone from the moving ship. Presented by wine expert Shehnaz Hansraj. Viking has since brought me back for more filming in Porto.
Estate Media – Algarve real-estate series
Camera, drone and local ground work for Beverly Hills-based Estate Media, filming Josh Flagg and Tracy Tutor in Lagos and Vilamoura. Three days of permits and scouting, then six shoot days with my crew of three, across golf resorts, beaches and the old town.
Also trusted by Legends, Ithaka and FC Porto for the FC Porto stadium works, and by brands filming with their suppliers in Portugal.
What producers say
How it works
Send the brief. Dates, locations, crew size and what you need from me. I reply within one working day with questions and availability.
Quote and booking. An itemised quote: prep days, shoot days, crew, kit and permits. A retainer confirms the dates.
Permits and scouting. I request every permit, scout the locations and send you a shared plan with timings and contacts.
Shoot days. I run the local side on set, so you can focus on the story.
Delivery. Footage backed up on location and delivered by download link, or edited if you need it.
FAQ
Do you work outside Porto?
Yes. I’m based in Porto and film across Portugal: the Douro Valley, Lisbon, the Algarve and everywhere in between. I am also available to film all across Europe and even in the rest of the world.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, because some permits take time. I’ve set up a six-day, multi-location shoot with all its permits in a few weeks, so ask even if your dates are close.
Can you fly the drone over beaches, the sea or from a boat?
Yes, with the right permits, which I arrange. On both the Viking and Estate Media series I launched and landed from moving boats.
What do you charge?
Every production is quoted on its brief. The contact form asks for a budget range, so I can propose the right crew and kit from the start.
Can you also edit?
Yes. I can deliver raw footage only, or edit and colour grade.
Which languages do you speak?
Portuguese is my mother tongue and I work in English every day. I understand Spanish well and some French.
Filming in Portugal soon?
Send me your dates, locations and what you need on the ground. You’ll get questions, availability and a plan within one working day.
Portuguese time (UTC+0, UTC+1 in summer)
