Hanging Out of a Helicopter for the Perfect Shot
There are moments when photography stops being about composition and becomes pure adrenaline.
Flying above the Everest region in an open door helicopter, the wind tearing at my jacket and the smell of jet fuel mixing with thin mountain air, that is when you know you are alive.
One particular morning, the pilot told me we had a twelve minute window before clouds would swallow the peaks. In those twelve minutes, I switched lenses twice, changed angles three times, and almost lost a glove to the glaciers below.
I have been doing this since 2005 with both film and digital, from 35mm negatives and slides to the incredible detail of medium format. These days, the Fujifilm GFX 100 is my trusted partner in the sky. Shooting medium format at that altitude is tricky. Every vibration and micro movement counts. But the payoff is seeing Ama Dablam, Everest, and Nuptse bathed in early light, a view only a handful of people on Earth have experienced.
Chartering helicopters means working with engineers to safely remove one or even both doors. A harness keeps me secure, carabiners clip me to the frame, and an oxygen tank is always on standby in case of emergencies; though I have never had to use it. The thrill of leaning out over a vertical drop, half my body hanging into open space, is something most would not dare.
From Himalayan aerial photography for luxury tourism campaigns to documenting glacier retreat for NGO climate projects, aerial work offers a perspective few get to see. It is dangerous, but it is also an unmatched way to witness the ever changing face of the Himalayas.
Whether for climate studies and conservation or powerful photo exhibitions, the view from above tells stories that ground level photography cannot. And for me, that is worth every second in the harness.
Aerial photography is never just about the image. It is about trust between pilot and photographer, respect for the mountains, and knowing when to take the risk and when to pull back. The Himalayas do not offer second chances. Every flight reminds me that these moments are borrowed, fleeting, and worth treating with humility.
For commissioned aerial photography, climate documentation, or exhibition projects, inquiries can be made via mail@gautamdhimal.com or through the contact page.
