The Photographer’s Guide to Taking a Helicopter Flight

Kauai’s cliffs, waterfalls and coastlines offer extraordinary subjects for aerial photography. The flight you choose—and how you prepare—will shape the photographs you bring home.

Start by comparing the cabin, door configuration and flight duration. Our Hughes 500 doors-off flights, private helicopter flights and airplane tours offer different perspectives.

Doors-off vs. doors-on: why it matters

Doors-off flights remove glass from the doorway between you and the scenery. That means you are not photographing through window reflections, scratches or smudges in that direction. It can be a compelling option if photography is central to your plans.

Wind and vibration still affect the shot. Stay seated and restrained, keep your body and equipment where the crew instructs, and secure approved cameras or phones before departure. Follow the selected flight’s rules for loose items and camera equipment.

Photographing through a window

You can also take memorable photographs on an enclosed helicopter or airplane flight. Plan for reflections and changing angles rather than expecting every window view to be clear of glare.

• Wear dark clothing to reduce your reflection in the glass.
• Try a different shooting angle when glare appears.
• Keep the camera clear of the window so aircraft vibration is not transferred directly to it.
• Follow crew instructions about equipment, straps and where you may hold your camera.

Helicopter vs. airplane photography

Airplane tours offer broad, panoramic views of the island’s coastline, canyons and valleys. Our featured shared Airvan and private Cessna flights provide window seats, with different cabin sizes for your group.

A helicopter offers another perspective, including doors-off choices. Your view changes with the aircraft, seat, route and conditions. A sightseeing flight does not promise a hover or a particular photographic angle.

Use our airplane-versus-helicopter comparison to decide which experience suits the images you want to make.

Prepare your camera before takeoff

• Charge your battery and check that you have enough storage.
• Set a sufficiently fast shutter speed for a moving aircraft and adjust for the available light.
• Choose simple settings you know how to use, so you can spend more time enjoying the view.
• Ask which cameras, lenses and securing methods the operator permits.
• Avoid changing equipment or handling loose accessories during the flight.

Light, cloud cover and wind vary through the day. An early departure is not a guarantee of better photographs or smoother conditions. Ask about the available flight times and choose one that fits your plans.

Allow time for different views

A longer flight can provide more opportunities for scenic turns and views from different sides of the aircraft. Read the case for a full 60-minute flight if you are comparing durations.

Na Pali, Waimea Canyon and Kauai’s interior can be beautiful subjects, but routes and visibility depend on weather and pilot discretion. Enjoy the scenes available on your flight rather than relying on a guaranteed photograph of one location.

See the coast from another angle

If you would like an ocean-level perspective as well, explore Na Pali dinner cruises or Na Pali snorkel tours. Water and air excursions offer different ways to appreciate the coastline.

Compare our Kauai flight choices and current departures, or call 888-508-9948 with questions about a photography-focused trip.