Fstoppers Post: If You're Flying a Drone in a National Park Without a Permit, You're Hurting the Industry

In this article for Fstoppers, I discuss how the National Park Service in the United States is one of the few organizations with clear policies regarding the use of drones, or small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS) on their property. There are some pilots who ignore these rules, and it makes doing business as a licensed operator very difficult. Be sure to read the comments for some very interesting speculation about future developments, changes, and what other people see as a solution.

Fstoppers Post, EditorialMike WilkinsonAugust 7, 2017aerial, drone, video, dji, inspire, suas, mike wilkinson, wilkinsonvisual, faaComment

2016 and the Cost of Running a Video and Photography Business, By the Numbers

As a filmmaker & photographer, you might only see pressing the big red RECORD button on my camera and setting up a few lights, but trust me when I say there is a lot that goes in to what it takes for me to have even gotten to that point. Business costs, time, maintenance, training, are just a fraction of what it takes myself, and other working professionals, to operate legally and at a standard of quality that enables us to (try) and make a living.

BusinessMike WilkinsonFebruary 8, 2017business, wilkinsonvisual, mike wilkinson, kentucky, lexington, video production, filmmaking, photographyComment

Fstoppers Post: Thinking Of Crowdfunding Your Next Video Project? Learn From My Failed Attempt

During its 30-day run, and weeks of planning that went into it beforehand, I got my own crash course in fundraising and marketing while trying to raise $10,000 through Kickstarter for the Ascending India project. I’ll share what I learned in this article.

Ascending India: The Documentary That Almost Didn't Happen

The documentary project Ascending India that I had been working on for the past 6 months, and spent countless hours planning, fundraising, hosting a kickstarter, shooting clips for, and preparing to travel to India to complete? I was denied entry into the country, and a film that would stand to benefit the country of India was almost ruined from their own actions. I share my story inside.

Istanbul Travel Blog

Article by Eleanor Shelton

I had the privilege to accompany a tour arranged by The American Friends of Turkey. The tour was 10 days of both Istanbul and the western coast, two distinctly different feels of the country, both extraordinary! Istanbul was beautiful, old, new, growing, or rather, bursting. I was surprised at how little hassle I got in the touristy areas (some to be sure) and how lovely the Turkish people are. <br>

For the full article, head over to Eleanor's personal blog.

Trip ReportEleanor SheltonDecember 13, 2013travel, turkey, istanbul, eleanor shelton, mike wilkinsonComment

Fstoppers Post: Review of the Aviator Carbon Fiber Travel Jib

My passion is shooting outdoor lifestyle and documentary projects, and those shoots often require me to be on the go and in remote areas. Historically, getting an expensive jib or crane in those locations was not possible. With the Aviator Carbon Fiber Travel Jib, taking a jib into the field is not only possible, but easy for everyone. I reviewed this piece of equipment in a video and written article for fstoppers.com.

Fstoppers PostMike WilkinsonDecember 2, 2013fstoppers, review, gear review, video production, mike wilkinson

Ascending India, A Documentary Film Project

About a year ago, I met with an climber friend of mine who happens to be originally from India. He pitched to me the idea of creating a film that highlighted the climbing areas in India. That seed grew, and eventually sprouted into a story about his quest to bring greater awareness and access to the rock climbing scene in India.

Ascending IndiaMike WilkinsonOctober 14, 2013ascending india, video production, jakob skogheim, mike wilkinson, kickstarter, documentaryComment

Hoppin Around At Summer Beerfest 2013

What do you do when asked to shoot photos to document a microbrew beer festival? You pack your bag and ask where to park!