Aerial Photography - A creative, cinematic way to showcase gardens, events, and architecture


There’s something about seeing a place from above that just hits differently. It’s not a view most people get - but when they do, it suddenly all makes sense. Whether I’m flying over the Chelsea Flower Show or inside a gritty venue like Manchester’s Mayfield Depot, drone photography offers a whole new perspective.


I’m Lee, a CAA-certified and fully insured UK-based photographer and drone pilot with over 15 years of experience. I work closely with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), capturing imagery for their gardens and shows across the UK - from RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Palace to Bridgewater, Wisley, Hyde Hall, Harlow Carr, and Rosemoor.


While I’m based in Hertfordshire, I work all over the UK and beyond, shooting aerial photography for commercial clients, events, gardens, and tourism campaigns.

 

 

Working with the RHS: Gardens and Shows from Above


One of the best things about working with the RHS is how varied their events and locations are. From formal gardens to bustling flower shows, every space has its own story to tell - and the drone helps tell it.


Events I’ve covered include:

  • RHS Chelsea Flower Show
  • RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
  • RHS Urban Show at Mayfield Depot, Manchester
  • Seasonal events at RHS Wisley, Hyde Hall, Bridgewater, Rosemoor, and Harlow Carr


Drone shots here show the scale, symmetry, and structure that are hard to appreciate from the ground. They’re ideal for press coverage, marketing campaigns, or even internal planning.

 

Aerial view of a winding garden path through vibrant yellow and purple flower beds in a public botanical garden.
Aerial view of Hampton Court Palace with its formal gardens and reflective pond on a sunny day with clouds.

 

Indoor Drone Photography: Making the Impossible Possible


Indoor drone photography is a bit niche - but that’s what makes it special. Not every space can be flown in safely, but when the conditions are right and the pilot knows what they’re doing, the results are brilliant.


A great example is the RHS Urban Show, held inside the industrial shell of Mayfield Depot in Manchester. The contrast between the gritty backdrop and lush plant installations made for some striking images - and the drone gave a sense of layout that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.


Indoor drone uses:

  • Venue marketing & walkthroughs
  • Urban art spaces or architecture
  • Installations and exhibitions
  • Large interiors with structural features


 

Illuminated indoor garden space with dramatic red and white lighting casting shadows through plants and geometric structures.
Indoor urban garden space with string lights, wooden planters, and industrial decor in a converted warehouse setting.

 

Golden Hour & Sunset Drone Photography


Let’s talk about light. That sweet spot just before sunset - or just after sunrise - transforms any location. The tones are warmer, the shadows longer, and the whole scene becomes more cinematic.


I’ve captured a number of RHS gardens and showgrounds at this time of day, and it’s one of my favourite ways to shoot. The drone gives me the height, and the golden hour gives me the atmosphere.


This is especially popular for:


 

A scenic aerial panorama of terraced community gardens with winding pathways under a bright blue summer sky.
Aerial panoramic view of winding pathways through a lush botanical garden with vibrant greenery and landscaping.
Aerial view of winding garden paths leading to a large greenhouse surrounded by lush landscaping and colorful flower beds.

 

Why Drone Photography Works: Context, Scale, and Storytelling


From the air, you get a better feel for how a place fits together. It shows:

  • The flow of people at an event
  • The design and symmetry of gardens
  • The scale of a space in its surroundings
  • The relationship between buildings, paths, and green spaces


It’s not just about “wow” shots - though you get plenty of those. It’s about using images to tell a story and give people a sense of place. I often pair drone shots with ground-level photos and short videos to create a complete visual package.

 

Aerial panoramic views of outdoor festival grounds surrounded by green trees and open fields in summer.
Aerial view of a circular garden with curved pathways and multiple planting beds next to a modern white building.
Aerial view of residential neighborhoods with green fields and geometric patterns of houses and trees seen from above.

 

RHS Glow: Aerials in the Dark


In the lead-up to Christmas, RHS Gardens are transformed into magical winter light trails for RHS Glow. These are some of the most atmospheric events of the year, with thousands of lights winding through carefully designed gardens.


Capturing them from the air is a delicate process - not just technically, but visually. You need the right time, exposure, and composition to make the trails pop. I also shoot these events from the ground to pick up the finer details, faces, and reactions.


While RHS Glow is an RHS-led production, I’ve loved being part of the visual storytelling team, documenting the magic responsibly from both the ground and the air.


 

Colorful illuminated trees and pathways create a magical nighttime display at a garden festival.
Aerial view of a vibrant nighttime festival with colorful lights illuminating trees and vendor booths in a dark landscape.

 

Commercial, Tourism & Architectural Use Cases


Outside of event work, I also shoot drone photography for:


While this blog mostly shows my work with the RHS, I regularly provide drone images for client websites, brochures, social media, and internal documentation.

 

 

Ground Photography? Yes, I Do That Too.


Drone photography is a great tool - but it works best when combined with considered, high-quality ground-level shots. I often offer both as part of a package, so clients get the best of both worlds.


If you’ve got a garden, event, campaign or space that deserves the full visual treatment, I’d love to hear about it.

 

 

Let’s Fly


Whether it’s a garden in Hertfordshire, an exhibition in Manchester, or a tourism campaign in Europe, I bring creativity, care, and over a decade of experience to every shoot.


If you’re looking for a CAA-certified and insured drone photographer for events, gardens, architecture, or tourism content, I’d be happy to have a chat.


👉 Get in touch to check availability, request a quote, or chat through ideas.

Or head to the portfolio to see more examples of my drone work in action.

 

 

See more of my RHS Drone work here 👇

 

Panoramic view of a community garden with winding paths and raised planting beds surrounded by trees on a sunny day.
Colorful nighttime illumination display transforms a garden landscape into a magical wonderland of lights and reflections.
Aerial view of a historic Tudor-style mansion with manicured gardens, reflecting pools and stone pathways in England.
Aerial view of a winding garden path leading to a modern greenhouse structure surrounded by colorful flower beds and trees.
Aerial view of a long waterway with red pontoon boats and covered pavilions along tree-lined banks on a sunny day.
Aerial view of a bright green sports field surrounded by symmetrical rows of houses and trees in a suburban neighborhood.
Aerial view of winding garden paths through colorful flower beds with a white building in the background.
Aerial view of a night festival with colorful lights illuminating trees and vendor stalls in a dark outdoor setting.
Aerial panoramic view shows an outdoor concert venue with amphitheater seating surrounded by lush green forest.
Aerial panoramic view of a circular community garden featuring raised beds and greenhouse structures.
Aerial view of a circular architectural structure with a glass dome centerpiece surrounded by geometric concrete sections.
Aerial view of winding road through autumn trees and green fields in rural countryside landscape during fall season.
Aerial view of a beautifully landscaped garden park with winding paths, flower beds and green spaces in a rural setting.
Dramatic lighting illuminates a garden path at night with red and white spotlights creating ethereal shadows and patterns.
Panoramic aerial views of an agricultural landscape with curved green terraces and scattered buildings on a sunny day.
Indoor night market with string lights illuminates vendor stalls and yellow shipping container walls in an urban setting.
Aerial panoramic view of Nordkirchen Castle with its reflecting pond and manicured gardens in Germany.
An elevated view of a winding garden path through landscaped rock gardens with trees at sunset.
Aerial view of a charming canal village with traditional brick houses and green gardens in rural England on a sunny day.
Panoramic view of a community garden with winding paths and raised planting beds surrounded by trees on a sunny day.
Colorful nighttime illumination display transforms a garden landscape into a magical wonderland of lights and reflections.
Aerial view of a historic Tudor-style mansion with manicured gardens, reflecting pools and stone pathways in England.
Aerial view of a winding garden path leading to a modern greenhouse structure surrounded by colorful flower beds and trees.
Aerial view of a long waterway with red pontoon boats and covered pavilions along tree-lined banks on a sunny day.
Aerial view of a bright green sports field surrounded by symmetrical rows of houses and trees in a suburban neighborhood.
Aerial view of winding garden paths through colorful flower beds with a white building in the background.
Aerial view of a night festival with colorful lights illuminating trees and vendor stalls in a dark outdoor setting.
Aerial panoramic view shows an outdoor concert venue with amphitheater seating surrounded by lush green forest.
Aerial panoramic view of a circular community garden featuring raised beds and greenhouse structures.
Aerial view of a circular architectural structure with a glass dome centerpiece surrounded by geometric concrete sections.
Aerial view of winding road through autumn trees and green fields in rural countryside landscape during fall season.
Aerial view of a beautifully landscaped garden park with winding paths, flower beds and green spaces in a rural setting.
Dramatic lighting illuminates a garden path at night with red and white spotlights creating ethereal shadows and patterns.
Panoramic aerial views of an agricultural landscape with curved green terraces and scattered buildings on a sunny day.
Indoor night market with string lights illuminates vendor stalls and yellow shipping container walls in an urban setting.
Aerial panoramic view of Nordkirchen Castle with its reflecting pond and manicured gardens in Germany.
An elevated view of a winding garden path through landscaped rock gardens with trees at sunset.
Aerial view of a charming canal village with traditional brick houses and green gardens in rural England on a sunny day.