Contributor Feature Friday: @davidlacombenyc

We recently sat down with David LaCombe, one of our FlyNYON photo contributors, (@davidlacombenyc on Instagram) to talk with him about his passion for photography and what it’s been like for him to be a FlyNYON contributor.

Q: How long have you been taking photos/ what got you into photography?

A: I first took a real interest in photography when I was a paramedic in the 90’s. That work is stressful at times and I was looking for a creative outlet to relax and appreciate the things around me. I started using a film SLR camera and was hooked, even though the feedback wasn’t as immediate as it is today.

Q: What do you do for a living?

A: I’m the Director of Marketing for a global healthcare training company and a professional photographer. Making time for the photography I want to create is a priority for me even though I travel very frequently. I’m focusing on headshots for executives and actors – capturing people’s expression is so different than aerial photography and it’s very gratifying as well.

Q: How many times have you been up in a helicopter?

A: I’ve flown on helicopters to take pictures more than a dozen times. Most of that has been in NY with FlyNYON and I’ve also flown over Las Vegas.

Q: If you could fly and take photos over any city, which would you choose and why?

A: I try to always remember that flying over NYC is dream for most people. I never view it as routine – frankly I crave flying when I haven’t gone up for a while. So, there’s still plenty I want to capture over NYC. That said, the Golden Gate Bridge is calling my name. Seeing lava flow in Hawaii is also on my bucket list – that’s not entirely up to me though. There, I’m at the mercy of Mother Nature, if you know what I mean.

Q: What programs do you use to edit your photos?

A: I primarily use Lightroom and Instagram to edit my photos. Shooting through rapidly changing light can be challenging. I’ve learned a few principles to capture vibration-free images by shooting faster than you would intuitively think in low-light conditions. The underexposure can be corrected to some degree in Lightroom.

Q: What do you shoot with when you go up?

A: Until recently, I’ve shot with a full frame Nikon body and Nikon glass. That may change as I’m considering adding a mirrorless Sony camera to my kit. I’m drawn to the Sony for its sensor with incredible image resolution and light sensitivity.

Q: What’s your favorite building to see from the air?

A: That’s a fair question but so hard to answer. When I first started flying I was obsessed with the Chrysler Building – she’s still one of my favorites. Now, I like searching for lessor known buildings and landmarks. Our city is just so full of interesting structures – choosing just one is impossible for me.

Q: Who are some of your favorite Instagrammers / photographers?

A: I’ve met so many interesting ad talented people because of the Instagram scene – some of my favorites are beholdingeye, Javan, dalton922, greg.rox.photography, and barreradm1975. Of course, I have to mention my earliest IG inspiration, Misshattan – Call me, Natalie – let’s shoot together!

Q: What was your most memorable FlyNYON Flight?

A: The air-to-air shoot was pretty special. We were shadowing another helicopter around the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan. I wouldn’t mind trying that again…wink…wink.

Thanks for sitting down with us David!

Interested in taking your own epic shots from the skies above and showing them off to your friends, check out FlyNYON.