Business & Tech
Business Spotlight: Soaring Above with DragonFly Aerial Media
Milford resident Jeff Becker recently opened his own company that offers low-altitude, high definition video and photography services using remotely controlled aerial vehicles.
It's not often that you can take an avocation, and shift and turn that passion into a viable vocation — but that's just what Jeff Becker has done.
The Milford resident recently opened his own small business: DragonFly Aerial Media.
The company offers low-altitude, ultra high definition video and photography services using remotely piloted unmanned aerial vehicles.
"Basically, what they are are expensive remote controlled helicopters with a high-definition camera attached to it," Beck told Patch during an interview at Cafe Atlantique in Milford.
"And now, I'm building them myself," he said. "And I tune and test them, and configure all the software."
'Nothing Like This'
Sounds pretty cool, right?
Well it is — just take a quick tour through the small gallery above of DragonFly's photos of Milford — and in addition to the innovative and fun technology used for the work, the images Becker is able to capture are often absolutely eye-catching.
"Everyone has a camera, but there's nothing like this," he said.
'The Grandeur'
But, in addition to its visual impact, aerial photography also has numerous business and practical applications, as well.
For example: high-end residential and commercial real estate marketing, documenting the details and progress of a construction project, resort and campus tours, private outings and events, as well as a whole host of other applications, Becker said.
"It's really things that ground-based photography can't capture or grasp the grandeur of, or just physically show," he said.
Becker added that pretty much if it can be photographed, he's game.
"Essentially, I can fly [one of the vehicles] up into the air, and in just a few minutes show what you want to show," he said.
Career Change
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Before starting Dragonfly, the Monroe native had a successful career in the residential technology industry. And his aerial photography and cinematic work was just a passionate hobby.
But then, as his personal projects became increasingly more advanced and refined — including his cinematography and video editing skills — he began getting requests from family and friends for special projects.
"More and more people started to approach me and see if I would provide these services for a fee," Becker said. "And I started doing that more and more."
'I Better Do It Now'
Finally, last year, he was contacted by New Haven Magazine for some work. And from that point on, Becker said he knew it was time to make a career change.
"I was married in the summer. And I thought to myself, 'if Im going to make a move, I better do it now,'" he said.
Becker added that throughout much of the fall, he spent his time carefully and cautiously creating a successful business plan he felt comfortable in implementing.
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"And then, I left my full time job in January," Becker said.
'It's Exciting'
Because he was finally able to create for himself the perfect professional niche that has allowed him to combined his love for the visual arts, electronics and being outdoors.
"It's a very odd marriage of very different skills — including piloting the vehicles and the photography itself — that I was able meld together," Becker said. "It's exciting."
More Information
For more information about DragonFly Aerial Media, email jbecker@DragonFlyHD.com, call 203-520-0242, visit the company online at DragonFlyHD.com and follow DragonFly's Facebook page.
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