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I learned to fly airplanes while in high school; taught flying, flew charters, and delivered airplanes while in college. Fresh out of college I worked for Cessna, and it was at one of my dealers (also a helicopter operation) in 1977 that I learned to fly helicopters.

At the end of the 70s is when I started my own company, Lanier Media, specializing in video production, photography, and writing. I also became very active in aircraft brokering, type-specific training, providing consultation on aircraft operational and safety issues, and eventually providing testimony for legal proceedings. I am also a FAASTeam representative in my region.

My aviation journalism career began in 1980 when I wrote my first article for General Aviation News, and I soon became a regular columnist, photographer, and feature writer. I continue to write and photograph for GAN today. Other publications I have written and photographed for include Air Progress, Flight Training, Helicopter World, Southern Aviator, and (in a 10-year run) Rotor & Wing. Of course, I've been with Vertical since its inception.

My professional aviation photography really began with video when I started Lanier Media. I immediately began specializing in aviation multi-media projects. Besides the enjoyment of telling a story through the audio/video program, it was also incredibly fun - and challenging - to co-ordinate the aerial work for the video shoot.

The most frustrating aspect of an aerial shoot for me is when pilots say they have formation flying experience, when in fact they really don't. This can be frustrating at best and, at worst, very dangerous. I can think of a number of aerial shoots, mostly still photography with helicopters, where I had to call off the shoot because the pilot of the subject helicopter could not obtain and hold a position safely.

Conversely, one of the things I really enjoy about aerial photo or video work is when I can get another shooter to do the primary photo work, and I fly the airplane or helicopter being shot. Besides having a considerable amount of close formation experience, I can also think like a photographer and help the shooter get the "money" shots. Venturing out on a career of aviation photography and video over 30 years ago, which continues today through Lanier Media and my aviation journalism assignments, has yielded many rewards. One of them is the numerous international video production and communication awards I have received - the majority of them for aviation projects.

More rewarding is that fact that many of my projects, even those a decade old, are still being used today. One example is that Helicopter Association International has placed the "Pressure Points" series of helicopter pilot decision making videos I developed for the FAA on both DVD and the HAI website.

However, I believe the most rewarding aspect is the smile on a pilot's face I get when they see themselves for the first time in tight, professionally shot video or photos. The enjoyment of doing this for someone else is second only to the expression on the face of an individual when I take them for their very first helicopter ride. Some of my favorite shots are not necessarily my best-quality photos, but rather they are about a special person, location or situation.

What I like about the helicopter industry is, first and foremost, that helicopters are the most fun way I have found to fly. Even though I have owned dozens of airplanes over the past 30 years, my present aircraft is a Robinson R22 I bought new in 2008 (which replaced a used R22 I owned for the two years prior) and keep at my home.

For as big as the helicopter industry seems to be, it's still very small and as such, is a very close-knit, family-like industry. This can be good or bad at times. But for me, nearly all of the good that has come to my life has been a result of being involved in the helicopter industry - and specifically related to the many contacts I made while reporting on or photographing helicopters. As a result I feel truly blessed to have been, and continue to be, able to make a living doing something I truly enjoy. And being able to record it on video or photos to share with others is just icing on the cake.