In a class of his drone
TV, property and more in sights
The drone photography business Tom Watson started four years ago has evolved, but so has its owner. After a twoyear stint in Sydney, the airline pilot and founder of Droner has returned home to Cairns with plenty of new ideas, tips and tricks he has picked up in the big smoke. “We’ve probably lost a few clients at the lower end but we are looking at more different and specialised projects,” he said.
THE drone photography business Tom Watson started four years ago has evolved, but so has its owner.
After a two-year stint in Sydney, the airline pilot and founder of Droner has returned home to Cairns with plenty of new ideas, tips and tricks he has picked up in the big smoke.
But the biggest challenge, Mr Watson said, was the fact “everyone had a drone now”.
“You can buy drones at Harvey Norman now and what’s happening is even some of the specialised drones are a lot more common,” he said.
“We’ve probably lost a few clients at the lower end but we are looking at more different and specialised projects.
“Our business has changed a bit and we now work with businesses who want to integrate drones into their operation.
“There are so many drones out there which can do different things. And there are so many uses for them now.
“We can help give them some basic training on how to use drones.
“We did the television series The Secret Daughter with Channel Seven while we were in Sydney.
“We’re hoping to pick up a few more projects in television and movies.
“There is the movie in Cape Tribulation, Crystalbrook is going gangbusters, so they might need some help there.”
Mr Watson gained plenty of experience shooting for yet-tobe constructed buildings in Sydney, including taking pictures of potential views for future apartment owners.
“We did a job in North Sydney on a building that hadn’t been built. We were shooting different angles, superimposing how the building would sit,” he said.
“It was interesting. It is all part of gaining more experience.”
At the moment in Cairns, Droner has a “bit of real estate work, a survey at a quarry site and a roof inspection at Kuranda”. There is another project Mr Watson is set to release next month but for the moment it is top secret.