Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Paul Royle-Grimes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Paul, appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

One of the biggest trends in drone services is construction monitoring. Although drones have been used for this over the past five years or so the new and creative ways that drone videographers are creating cut, polished and edited content in order to maintain the attention of the client throughout the length of the content. Five years ago a drone operator would turn in hundreds even thousands of photos that would have to be sorted and curated after delivery by the client. The modern operator understands that the content needs to be immediately consumable. This changes how the operator sets up their shots and tells a story about the property.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have been a photographer since the late 1980’s. About nine years ago I saw my first drone and immediately could see the use cases and the commercial value of the platform. I started flying for money after obtaining my Part107 in the first batch of testing and I have not looked back. It is a significant part of the future economy and I am excited to be on the leading edge of the drone services space.
Elevation is a full service photography and videography business so I strive to give my clients a complete content package including tripod and handheld imagery combined with the highest quality drone content. Because of this I understand the need for the drone shot before I fly it. The product is therefore a consistent and complete package. This is different from people who are photographers that just bought a drone or drone operators who cannot take a great photo.
Synergy.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Elevation is my third business that I have started or owned. I owned a landscaping company that failed because I could not compete in price and remain profitable. I also owned a fishing tackle business that grew out of control and I had no way to scale so I could no longer fulfill orders.
I have been very purposeful in how I have built Elevation Ltd. I want to take what I learned and move forward with wisdom and strategy.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

Elevation was my side hustle until I retired from teaching for 28 years in Colorado public schools. I wanted to build it in a way that I did not loose passion for the work nor the vision for what I would like it to become.
I have been careful to make sure I only take on enough work that I can devote my full attention to my clients and their needs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://elevationuas.com
• Instagram: @roylegrimes
• Youtube: Paul Royle-Grimes

Image Credits

I have the rights as I am the photographer.