What started out as weekend hobbies of two westside residents has evolved into the official launch of Vertical Effects, a Santa Monica-based business specializing in custom aerial photography.
Entrepreneur Bryan Goldsmith, owns a Bell 47 helicopter that he flies from Santa Monica Municipal Airport for fun. When a friend asked him if he could arrange to take some aerial photos of his home, which was currently under construction, Goldsmith agreed, called a photographer friend, Snowden Bishop, also an aviation enthusiast, who jumped at the opportunity.
From that point, they took to the skies whenever they could, and began to build a portfolio of aerial shots.
“When the word about what we were doing got out, a friend, Seamus McCaughley, an aerobatic pilot based at the Santa Monica Municipal Airport, asked us if we would photograph his aerobatics up the coast in northern Malibu,” Goldsmith said.
It didn’t take long for the idea to spread to a number of other pilots who wanted photos of themselves flying. The pilots began to refer their friends. As more and more referrals were made, Goldsmith and Bishop realized they could easily take concept to higher levels, and they decided to make a business out of doing what they love to do.
Goldsmith, owner of Santa Monica-based Integrate, a computer development and system design company, developed a Web site to post the images and provide a venue for clients to view and order prints of their custom photographs. VerticalEffects.com is now up and running for on-demand aerial photography and videography for a wide variety of clients.
For businesses, aerial photographs can document progress on work sites and make posters for presentations. Aerial photographs are also useful selling tools for realtors and yacht brokers that can be used in ads and brochures. For realtors, Vertical Effects offers package deals that include photographing multiple properties in one custom photo-shoot to significantly reduce cost per property.
Seizing the dai By Daily Press staff
Hyundai has driven into the Santa Monica car dealership market.
Hyundai Santa Monica officially opened for business on May 1. It will offer the full line of Hyundai vehicles, including the all-new 2006 Sonata — the first vehicle to be built in Hyundai’s U.S. plant.
“Hyundai is coming on strong with stylish, high-value vehicles, backed by the best warranty in the business,” said Mike Sullivan, owner. “There's a lot of interest in the brand among smart shoppers and we’re excited to offer Hyundai's expanding lineup along with outstanding service support to car buyers in Santa Monica.”
Hyundai Santa Monica will boast a large selection of new vehicles, a bright new showroom and a parts and service center with an advanced, Internet-based automotive diagnostic system.
