Sean Wilkes: Livin’ the Drone Life

Photographer and videographer Sean Wilkes is a dab hand at flying drone aircraft and Denison’s man-in-the-hot-seat when it comes to getting that perfect shot. He let FRANK behind the scenes to learn about technique, retrieval and the occasional injury.

WHAT ARE THE COOLEST IMAGES YOU’RE LOOKING TO ACHIEVE WITH THE DRONE?

My goal is to create content that taps into the emotional side of a buyer. That requires capturing the boat running on plane, in her element, up close and personal. Flying low just off the water is one of my favorite angles to keep the viewer engaged.

WHAT’S THE MOST MEMORABLE PLACE YOU’VE SHOT DRONE FOOTAGE?

Monaco. It’s mesmerizing. The way the mountains fall into the sea is unlike anywhere I have been. And you’re likely to see some of the most amazing yachts on the planet.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES WHEN OPERATING A DRONE ONBOARD A YACHT?

Mother Nature is challenging. When the seas are churning and the wind is ripping it makes the entire process more difficult. When shooting any sailboat or catamaran, the running rigging limits the available space for take-off and landing. Center consoles and sportfish yachts, although easier in that regard, require flying the drone at high speeds making it less maneuverable and more susceptible to wind. Superyachts can present different challenges. If you are near the bow attempting to shoot the stern, the drone may lose signal due to all the metal and fiberglass in between the drone and controller. The biggest challenge is being ready for anything.

ARE DRONES HARD TO FLY?

With proper training and practice drones are not hard to fly. Most of them use GPS to provide real time positioning and speed data. If the pilot decides to let go of the controls for any reason, when properly connected the drone will immediately stop and hover in place, even pitching itself into the wind to maintain that position. This system also allows for more enhanced safety features like avoiding fixed obstacles and returning to the take-off or controller position if signal is lost.

DO THEY CRASH A LOT?

Most drones crash due to pilot error. Malfunctions certainly occur, but as technology improves, failures stem more from the operator. Either they aren’t proficient with the controls or they are pushing the drone to the very limit of its capabilities. Most people want to open the box and start flying without reading the manual or doing any preparation beforehand – a recipe for an expensive disaster.

HAVE YOU LOST MANY DRONES?

Yes, and it’s heartbreaking. A few years back, we were filming a big sailing catamaran in the British Virgin Islands. On the last day of shooting, we attempted to send a drone underneath the boat in between the hulls. The maneuver was not successful. Fortunately, the water was shallow and clear enough to see the bottom. We searched for a stressful amount of time until one of the deckhands finally spotted it. Without hesitation, he dived down to about 20 feet, grabbed it off the sea floor, and brought it back. The drone itself was beyond repair, but we were hopeful that the images and video were salvageable. After rinsing the SD card with freshwater and prayer, every single file was recovered.

DO AIRSPACE RESTRICTIONS MAKE IT TRICKY?

Using the drone’s mobile app, even while flying, I can easily view the exact circumference of every restricted air space. This allows me to create a plan, if necessary, to avoid them. If I accidentally approach a restricted area, my drone will stop short and not allow me to fly into that space. If I happen to be in a restricted area attempting to take off, the drone will not even allow me to start the motors. Thankfully, I don’t have to worry about this too often because we normally shoot in open water.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN INJURED WHILE OPERATING THE DRONE?

Yes, for sure. On a few separate occasions while landing the drone my fingers and hand have been clipped by the props. It was only some minor cuts, nothing too serious. I just wrapped it up and kept going. The show must go on, and flying low just off the water is one of my favorite angles to keep the viewer engaged.

“Mother Nature is challenging. When the seas are churning and the wind is ripping it makes the entire process more difficult.”

HOW FAR WILL YOU GO TO GET THE PERFECT SHOT?

If I have good satellite connection, I’ll put the drone in risky positions without hesitation…provided I’m not jeopardizing the safety of the crew or the yacht. This goes back to knowing the limitations, being confident in yourself, and relying on experience. CAN DRONES BE USED UNDERWATER? There are drones out there that can be used underwater. It seems we are still in the early stages of that technology, but I’m excited to see the progression. Exploring the world beneath the water line has always been a noble pursuit. Personally, I don’t have experience in that category.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE IMAGE YOU’VE TAKEN WITH THE DRONE?

I was shooting images for a Sunseeker 82 Predator a few years ago. The captain and his girlfriend kindly posed for a few shots on the bow towards the end of the shoot while the broker kept us on a safe heading. The image is directly overhead and really shows the scale of the space and encapsulates what yachting is all about; getting away from it all and spending time with the people you love most.

IF YOU COULD TAKE FOOTAGE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

New Zealand. I went in 2020, but the pandemic cut our trip short. I want to go back and explore both islands. The landscapes are legendary with endless opportunities for drone footage. It’s an easy place to fall in love with. My goal is to create content that taps into the emotional side of a buyer. That requires capturing the boat running on plane, in her element, up close and personal.