IT has been less than 24 months since Ravi Sittol started SkyCam Ja, but already the 28-year-old entrepreneur is thinking of expanding the aerial photography and videography company.

Sittol, who started the business from a hobby, is tapping into a niche market through his innovative approach to capturing exotic images. He has inked a number of deals with corporate companies, including LIME Jamaica and Sagicor, and reckons that he can increase the value of the local photography and videography industry by offering multi-camera images.

The mixture of both aerial and on-the-ground images will allow people to recognise landmark areas when reviewing aerial video productions. The images should also enhance the look of regular videography and assist promoters in advertising their events, according to Sittol.

“When we cover an event we have at least four camera angles, three on the ground and one in the air,” Sittol told the Jamaica Observer. “So instead of just shooting from the sky, we mix the footage to include landmark areas so persons know exactly where the footage is being shot.”

SkyCam Ja commenced operations in 2013, and like many young businesses, the start-up phase proved to be a challenge.

“I started with a hexacopter and a little less than average equipment for photography,” Sittol stated. “Additionally, I never understood how to manage a business and so I had to get a business partner, Gabriel Heron, who assisted me in establishing the company.”

With limited financing, Sittol, along with his business partner, managed to start his company with US$1,800 ($203,400) and continues to minimise overhead costs by working from home. Initially, he was under the impression that the uniqueness of the service would not have survived in Jamaica, but that doubt later disappeared.

“Once I started I saw that there was a growing demand for aerial photographs and that pushed me to continue,” he told Sunday Finance. “I’ve also completed a master’s degree in architecture, so the two interests blend well together.”

SkyCam Ja, which is currently under the supervision of the Civil Aviation Authority, uses a remote-controlled simple aircraft powered by six rotors, called a hexacopter, to assist in capturing the aerial images. The aircraft is built to attach heavy cameras that shoot at 4K high definition quality required for commercial images.

It is also equipped with a three-axis camera stabilisation, which elevates the camera to capture sharp and dynamic footage. “So if the helicopter is flying forward, you can pan the camera to the left or downwards to capture the images,” Sittol explained.

When shooting images for an event, Sittol switches to a quadcopter, which is much smaller than the hexacopter and fits into tighter spaces such as at crowded events or in areas surrounded by electrical wires or trees.

“There is also a hand-held stabiliser that I use for the ground footage which mounts the camera and stabilises it so it doesn’t shake, even if I’m running during a shoot,” he added.

Sittol usually hires his assistants on a contractual basis, but states that more permanent positions may be needed as he continues to expand his business.