Pace Woman Sees a Whole New World From Above

By  Clairen Reese, 'Pensacola News Journal' (FL)

Pace, Fla., resident Amy Hartsfield decided to start an aerial photography business after becoming a licensed pilot seven years ago. “After becoming a licensed pilot in 2002, a whole new world of photography opened up for me,” she says. “It was rare that I ever flew anywhere without a camera in the cockpit. … The seed was planted. I realized that I could turn my two passions—for flying and photography —into a business.” She became a member of the Professional Aerial Photographer’s Association while planning her business, which specializes in high-quality custom aerial photography throughout the North Florida, South Alabama, and Southern Mississippi regions. Hartsfield’s company has a network of photo pilots that can arrange services anywhere in the United States and many places across the globe. Hartsfield says she leaves piloting to others while she is on photography duty, and relies on a team of pilots that includes Chip Mapoles of Mapoles Aviation. Hartsfield originally took flying lessons to challenge herself, and now her 18-year-old son is pursuing a private pilot’s license.

June 16, 2009