Question 1

Where is Aether Aerial based, and what regions do you cover?

Accepted Answer

Aether Aerial is based in Los Angeles, California. The principal service area runs the length of the California coast — from Big Sur, Carmel, Pebble Beach, and Monterey on the Central Coast, through San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, Santa Barbara County (including Montecito, Santa Ynez, and Solvang), Ojai, greater Los Angeles (Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Hidden Hills, Hollywood Hills), Orange County (Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Pelican Hill, Monarch Beach), the desert (Palm Springs, La Quinta, Indian Wells, Joshua Tree, Temecula Valley), and the San Diego coast (La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, Coronado), down to the Mexico border and Baja California (Valle de Guadalupe, Rosarito, Ensenada). International destination commissions are welcomed.

Question 2

Do you photograph weddings at specific luxury venues like San Ysidro Ranch, Rosewood Miramar Beach, or the Resort at Pelican Hill?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Aether Aerial regularly photographs aerial coverage at luxury venues across California, including but not limited to San Ysidro Ranch, Rosewood Miramar Beach, Belmond El Encanto, Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, Bacara, Calamigos Ranch, Saddlerock Ranch, Cielo Farms, Greystone Mansion, Hotel Bel-Air, The Beverly Hills Hotel, Ojai Valley Inn, Sunstone Winery, Allegretto Vineyard Resort, Post Ranch Inn, Ventana Big Sur, Carmel Valley Ranch, The Lodge at Pebble Beach, The Resort at Pelican Hill, Montage Laguna Beach, Monarch Beach Resort, Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, La Valencia Hotel, Estancia La Jolla, The Lodge at Torrey Pines, Fairmont Grand Del Mar, Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Valencia, Hotel del Coronado, Parker Palm Springs, La Quinta Resort, and Sensei Porcupine Creek. Permits and venue coordination are arranged during the pre-flight survey.

Question 3

Are you Part 107 certified and insured to fly drones in Los Angeles and Southern California?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Paul von Rieter holds an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and is registered as a commercial UAS operator. LAANC authorizations are obtained as required for Class B, C, and D airspace around KLAX, KBUR, KSNA, KSAN and other Southern California airports. Aether Aerial carries $2M in aviation liability insurance and provides certificates of insurance for venues on request.

Question 4

Do you cover destination weddings in Big Sur, Pebble Beach, and the Central Coast?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Central Coast — including Big Sur (Post Ranch Inn, Ventana, Glen Oaks), Carmel and Carmel Valley (Carmel Valley Ranch, Bernardus Lodge), Pebble Beach (The Lodge at Pebble Beach, Inn at Spanish Bay), and Monterey — is one of Aether Aerial's most-photographed regions. Multi-day coverage is the standard format for these engagements.

Question 5

Can you photograph aerial coverage in Palm Springs, La Quinta, and the desert?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Coachella Valley — Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta, and Palm Desert — is a regular service area, alongside Joshua Tree and Pioneertown. Common engagements include Parker Palm Springs, La Quinta Resort & Club, Sensei Porcupine Creek, The Sands Hotel & Spa, and private estate work.

Question 6

Do you serve San Diego, La Jolla, Coronado, and the Mexico border region?

Accepted Answer

Yes. San Diego County is the southern anchor of the service area — including La Jolla (La Valencia, Estancia, The Lodge at Torrey Pines), Del Mar (Fairmont Grand Del Mar), Rancho Santa Fe (Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Valencia), Coronado (Hotel del Coronado), Encinitas, and Carlsbad. Aether Aerial also covers Baja California destination weddings in Valle de Guadalupe, Rosarito, and Ensenada — a short cross-border drive from San Diego.

Question 7

What is the typical engagement format?

Accepted Answer

Three formats are offered: (1) Destination Events — three- to seven-day coverage of weddings and gatherings, with pre-event scouting and permits; (2) Weddings — a single coordinated day, treated editorially as a counterpart to the principal photographer's coverage; and (3) Private Commissions — bespoke aerial work for estates, yachts, vineyards, architecture, and brand stories. Delivery includes a curated edit of archival stills and a short aerial film, within four to six weeks.

A private aerial practice
for occasions that endure.

Three forms of engagement.

Destination Events

Weddings

Private Commissions

Selected portfolio,
2024 — 2026.

An aisle, from above.

From inquiry to archive.

Inquire

Survey

Capture

Deliver

From Big Sur
to the Mexico border.

iLos Angeles & The Westside

iiCentral Coast

iiiOrange County

ivSan Diego County

vThe Desert

viWine Country

viiIslands & The Border

viiiAnd, by request —

A limited number of commissions
are accepted each season.

Aetheraerial

A private aerial practice for occasions that endure.