Meet BG Boyd | Tucson Drone Photographer/Videographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with BG Boyd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi BG, what role has risk played in your life or career?
As a drone operator, this is a big one. Risk and safety are a big part of getting certified by the FAA for Part 107. I see lots of videos on social media where people (who claim to be Part 107 certified) engage in very risky behavior, and frankly probably against Part 107 regulations.

In my humble opinion, operating a flying camera with propellers spinning at 12,000 RPMs is not the place to take risks. For example, if you risk flying the drone 3 miles away from your location (against Part 107 rules) into a metro area with many heliports, you will not be able to hear or see if a manned aircraft (most likely a helicopter) is near your drone. You risk colliding with the aircraft which can and cause all kinds of death and destruction. Is it worth that risk for a few hundred likes on the gram? No.

Another example … you are making a hyperlapse over a crowded highway (against part 107 rules) and some kind of malfunction causes the drone to fall from the sky, hitting a car’s windshield. The driver of that car, going 80 mph, freaks out and cuts their steering wheel and collides with another vehicle, which collides with another, and you end up with a Final Destination level pile up.

So, I do not take risks when it comes to flying drones.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I make photos and videos of from around southern Arizona using a drone. I was a “ground” photographer first so I already had the “eye” for what makes a good photograph, such as how to compose shots and use a camera in manual mode. So when I got the drone, it took my photography to a new level. I was able to use my existing knowledge as a photographer and take photos from a new angle. Also, decades of playing video games probably helped a little.

If you are going to operate a drone, especially in a city like Tucson with two airports and multiple heliports, you really should learn the rules. If you are going to operate commercially, like I do, you need to become certified with the FAA. It was easy and I recommend everyone that asks me about it to do it.

Anyone reading this can feel free to contact me about getting started and I can point you in the right direction and answer any questions you may have.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Arizona Beer House for a great selection of local craft beer and food trucks. Also, and probably not in the same day, Craft/Transplant Pizza, also for a great selection of local beer but also amazing Detroit style pizza.

One day we’d have to go Downtown and check out all the murals and maybe poke our heads in Pueblo Vida … for some amazing craft beer.

I’m also a fan of wildlife and nature, so probably the Desert Museum and definitely the raptor free flight. If it’s not summer time, probably a hike at Saguaro National Park. The Air and Space Museum is cool too.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
When I was asking questions about drones in a facebook group, Dean Kelly of SkyPod Images messaged me and gave me his number and invited me to call. I called him and asked some questions and he was super knowledgeable and helpful. Since then, we have become friends and discuss all things drones often.

Website: bgboydphoto.com

Instagram: instagram.com/bgboydphoto

Twitter: twitter.com/bgboydphoto

Facebook: facebook.com/bgboydphoto

Youtube: youtube.com/bgboydphoto

Other: tucsonazmurals.com

Image Credits
BG Boyd