Drone Filming in Portugal
Drone Filming in Portugal
Aerial cinematography by a Porto-based drone pilot, from the Douro to the Algarve and the Azores. I plan the flights, request the permits and fly, so you get the shot without the paperwork.
What I film from the air
Tourism and travel
Landscapes, towns and coastline for tourism boards, tour companies and travel creators.
Real estate and hospitality
Villas, hotels and resorts in their setting: the view, the coast and the neighbourhood around them.
Brands and events
Product launches, regattas, sports venues and corporate events, filmed from the air and on the ground.
TV and online series
Aerial coverage for visiting crews, as the dedicated drone operator or as part of a larger shoot. See also camera and drone operator for visiting crews.
Flying where it’s hard
From moving boats on the Douro, the Seine, the Danube and the Mincio, from the deck of a river cruise ship, from inside a moving car in Tuscany, over the Algarve cliffs and close to buildings in Porto’s historic centre.
Permits handled
I check every location and request the permits each flight needs, from town halls to the maritime authority. For Viking, that meant about 35 permits along one river.
Recent aerial work
Viking.TV – “The A–Z of Wine with Shehnaz”
Eight days on Viking’s Douro cruise as the series’ drone operator, filming the river, the terraced vineyards and the ship itself, launching and landing from the moving deck. A year later I was back on the river for the naming of Viking Gyda. Read the case study →
Estate Media – Algarve real-estate series
Coastline, beaches and golf resorts from the air for Estate Media’s Algarve series with Josh Flagg and Tracy Tutor, with drone permits over the sea and the beaches. Read the case study →
More from the air: Legends and FC Porto (the Estádio do Dragão works), Untold Italy (five tours across Italy), Terceira, Azores From Above and Cork with Leyla Kazim. I’ve flown professionally in Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Ireland.
What producers say
How it works
Send the brief. Locations, dates and what the footage is for. I reply within one working day.
Quote and booking. An itemised quote: flight days, locations, permits and edit. A retainer confirms the dates.
Plan and permits. I check each location, request the permits and plan the flights around the light and the weather.
Fly. On the day, I fly alone or as part of your crew, and film on the ground too if you need it.
Deliver. Raw 4K files, or an edited, colour-graded film, on the date we agree in the quote.
FAQ
Do you handle the drone permits?
Yes. I check every location and request what each flight needs. Some places, like areas near airports or military zones, need more time, so tell me about them early.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can, but short notice is often fine. I’ve confirmed shoots the day before, and Estate Media’s Algarve series went from first email to first shoot day in about three weeks. Some locations need longer for permits, so send the places first.
Can you fly over the sea, beaches or from a boat?
Yes. I’ve filmed from moving boats on the Algarve coast, on the Douro, on the Seine in France, on the Danube from Budapest to Germany and on the Mincio in Italy, and launched the drone from a river cruise ship on the Douro.
Can you also film on the ground?
Yes. I’m a camera operator too, so one person can cover both, or I join your crew as the drone pilot.
Do you deliver raw footage or an edited film?
Either. Viking took the raw files; most brands and tour companies get a finished, colour-graded edit.
What do you charge?
It depends on the days, the locations and the permits. Send the brief and I’ll reply with an itemised quote.
Do you fly outside Portugal?
Yes. I travel for productions across Europe, and I can look into flying outside Europe too: tell me where and when.
Planning an aerial shoot?
Send me the locations, the dates and what the footage is for. I’ll reply within one working day with questions and availability.
Portuguese time (UTC+0, UTC+1 in summer)
