After trading in the L-plates for a drone equipped with a top camera, a driving instructor is looking to combine his two passions into a new business venture.

Pairing his love of photography with an interest for flying, Geoff Watkins launched his aerial photography businesses in the autumn.

The father-of-two has shot stunning views of Medway landmarks and says he’s looking forward to taking the next steps.

“I’ve been flying drones for a number of years now. It’s always something I’ve enjoyed doing and enjoyed photography,” he said.

“I thought recently I’d like to turn that into a business and start using the drone commercially and make a thing of it.

“There’s all kinds of things you can do. A lot of work can be inspections of buildings, roofs, insurance claims and I’d like to get involved with more of the photography side of things.

“So if somebody owns property or land and wants nice pictures from a different perspective, then a drone is a good way of doing that.”

Geoff, of Pembroke Gardens in Parkwood, has been a driving instructor for 15 years but is planning to make Aerial Imaging South East his new full-time job.

The 37-year-old says “a mix of a love of photography and a love of toys” put him on course to his career change.

He started taking pictures of various places including Rochester, Chatham Maritime and Upnor Castle.

“I live here and it’s my local area and there’s so much history here; historic buildings with stories to tell,” Geoff added.

“It just lends itself so well to taking pictures and telling the story and seeing things from a different perspective you wouldn’t normally see.

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“They came together really well with drones. I got my first drone about five years ago and I never looked back. I enjoy flying it and creating pictures and videos.”

But Geoff has had to undertake several tests – including theory and flight tests – to gain a commercial drone pilot’s licence which means he’s able to take more specialist images.

“I’m not just a hobby flier. I’ve done a lot of tests to do this, it takes a long time,” he added.

Geoff says he welcomes ideas and requests of what to photograph and film next.

He said: “I’m happy to do what I can and show the people the area they’ve been living in just in a new way.”

Drones weighing more than 250g must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority and pilots flying them are required to pass a theory test.

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