Take your drone photography to the next level with practical Manchester Drone Photography Training & Workshop sessions with award-winning photographer Mike McMahon of Sky High Photography UK.
Whether you’re new to drone photography or already flying and want to improve your images, this hands-on training is designed to help you get more from your drone camera and develop a stronger understanding of aerial photography.
Mike has been shortlisted in the 2026 British Photography Awards in the Drone category, recognising the quality of his own aerial photography. You’ll learn from a photographer who actively uses drones to create compelling aerial images, rather than simply learning the technical side of flying.
From aerial composition and camera settings to golden-hour photography, cityscapes, night photography and cinematic drone movements, the workshop focuses on creating better photographs and video while flying safely and confidently.
Introductory offer: £170 · 4 hours · Private 1-to-1 drone photography tuition
I’m thrilled to have been shortlisted in the 2026 British Photography Awards in the Drone category.
Being recognised among the shortlisted drone photographers is a fantastic achievement and reflects the passion I put into creating distinctive aerial photography.
The experience of planning, flying and capturing award-recognised aerial images is something I bring directly into my drone photography training. Rather than simply learning how to operate your drone, you’ll learn how to think like a photographer in the air — considering light, composition, perspective, positioning and the story you want your image to tell.
This is practical drone photography training designed to help you create better aerial photographs, not simply learn how to fly a drone.
You’ll work on the photography skills that make the biggest difference to your results, with tuition adapted to your experience, your drone and the type of photography you want to create.
Flying a drone gives you a completely different perspective, but great aerial photography is about much more than getting the drone into the air.
You’ll learn how to look for strong compositions from above, using perspective, leading lines, symmetry, patterns, layers and negative space to create photographs with impact.
We’ll also look at how changing your height, position, direction and focal length can completely change the way a scene looks. The aim is to help you stop simply recording what is below you and start deliberately creating photographs from the air.
Getting the right camera settings can make a huge difference to the quality of your aerial photographs.
During the workshop, we’ll look at how to choose the right shutter speed, aperture and ISO for different lighting conditions, as well as when to use Manual mode, RAW files and exposure compensation.
We’ll cover practical settings for detailed daytime cityscapes, moving subjects, golden-hour photography and more challenging low-light conditions.
Rather than simply giving you a list of settings to copy, I’ll explain why the settings work and how to adjust them as the light and scene change. This helps you develop the confidence to make your own decisions when you’re out flying.
Some of the most dramatic aerial photographs are created during the short period around sunset, when changing light can transform an ordinary scene.
You’ll learn how to make the most of golden hour, changing colour and directional light, including how to position your drone and compose your photograph before the best light disappears.
We’ll look at exposure, highlights, shadows, colour, composition and timing to help you capture atmospheric aerial images rather than simply documenting the scene below.
The techniques can be applied to Manchester cityscapes, landscapes and locations further afield.
Night-time drone photography can produce some of the most striking cityscape images, but it requires a different approach to shooting during the day.
During the workshop, we’ll look at how to work with artificial light, manage exposure, preserve detail in highlights and shadows, and create atmospheric aerial photographs after dark.
We’ll explore techniques for photographing Manchester’s illuminated buildings, streets and cityscape, while considering composition, available light and the changing conditions at night.
Night drone photography can also be combined with long-exposure techniques where appropriate, giving you another creative way to approach aerial cityscapes.
You can also explore my Manchester Night Photography Workshop for dedicated after-dark photography tuition
Your drone can be a powerful video camera as well as a stills camera.
The workshop can include practical guidance on creating smoother, more cinematic aerial footage, including controlled movements, camera direction, reveals, tracking shots and establishing shots.
We’ll look at how to combine drone movement with composition and camera settings to create footage that feels intentional and professional rather than simply flying around and recording.
We’ll also explore creative techniques such as hyperlapse photography and cinematic aerial movements, where suitable for your drone and experience.
The Manchester Drone Photography Workshop is suitable for photographers and drone pilots at different experience levels.
Complete beginners can learn the fundamentals of drone photography, camera settings and aerial composition from the ground up.
Existing drone pilots can use the session to improve their photography, develop their creative approach and get more from the camera on their drone.
Experienced photographers can focus on advanced aerial composition, creative techniques, difficult lighting conditions, night photography, cinematic movements or specific areas they’d like to improve.
The training is practical and personalised, so the session can be adapted around your experience, equipment and photography goals.
If you’re also looking to develop your ground-based photography, you can explore my Manchester Full Day 1-to-1 Photography Workshop.
For a shorter photography tuition session without the drone, take a look at my Manchester Half-Day Photography Workshop.
Manchester offers a fantastic variety of subjects for aerial photography, from modern architecture and city skylines to canals, historic buildings and changing urban landscapes.
During your training, we’ll look at how to choose locations and viewpoints that create stronger aerial photographs rather than simply photographing from directly above.
Depending on your experience, the conditions and the type of photography you’re interested in, we can explore suitable Manchester locations and discuss how to approach them creatively.
We’ll consider composition, light, perspective, positioning and timing to help you make the most of each location.
Flying a drone for photography isn’t just about getting great images — it’s also important to understand how to fly responsibly and within UK regulations.
As an A2CofC holder and fully insured drone photographer, I’ll help you understand the practical considerations around responsible drone photography, including UK drone rules, CAA requirements, airspace awareness and choosing suitable locations to fly.
We’ll also look at safe take-off and landing, planning your flight before you launch and how to make sensible decisions based on the location, weather and surrounding environment.
The aim is to give you the confidence to combine creative aerial photography with safe and responsible flying.
Capturing a great aerial photograph is only part of the process. The way you edit your images can make a huge difference to the final result.
During the workshop, I’ll show you how to approach your drone photographs in Adobe Lightroom, including exposure, highlights and shadows, contrast, colour, clarity and detail.
We’ll look at how to bring out detail in aerial cityscapes, enhance golden-hour colours and create a more polished, professional-looking final image without over-processing your photographs.
I’ll also explain a simple editing workflow that you can continue using after the workshop, helping you get more consistent results from your drone photography.
Your training is delivered by Mike McMahon of Sky High Photography UK, an award-winning photographer specialising in Manchester cityscapes, aerial photography and urban landscapes.
Mike has extensive practical experience creating photographs from the air and has been shortlisted in the 2026 British Photography Awards in the Drone category.
The workshop is built around real-world photography rather than simply learning how to operate a drone. You’ll learn how to look at light, composition, perspective and timing so you can create stronger images with your own drone.
Whether you’re just starting out or already flying regularly, the aim is to help you become a more confident and creative aerial photographer.
Duration: 4 hours
Format: Private 1-to-1 drone photography training
Location: Manchester city centre, MediaCity and suitable Manchester aerial photography locations
Experience: Beginners, intermediate and experienced drone pilots
Tuition: Practical, hands-on training tailored to your experience, drone and photography goals
You don’t need an expensive professional drone to take part in the Manchester Drone Photography Workshop.
The training can be adapted to the drone you already own, whether you’re using a compact camera drone or a more advanced model.
We’ll concentrate on helping you understand the camera, settings and creative capabilities of your own equipment, so you can get the best possible results from the drone you actually fly.
If you’re considering upgrading your drone, the workshop can also help you understand which camera features and capabilities are most useful for the type of aerial photography you want to create.
Ready to take your drone photography to the next level?
Join Mike McMahon of Sky High Photography UK for a practical, personalised drone photography workshop in Manchester.
Whether you want to improve your aerial compositions, master your drone camera settings, capture better sunsets and night-time cityscapes, or learn cinematic drone techniques, the session will be tailored around your photography and your drone.
4 hours of hands on drone tuition and photography guidance. Locations of your choice in Manchester City Centre or Media City Salford quays .
Editing workflow and tips provided via email after session has concluded
please contact me after booking to schedule location and date/time you require
Learn to fly with a photographer’s eye and create aerial photographs that stand out.
Book your Manchester Drone Photography Training & Workshop with Mike McMahon and discover how to get more from your drone, your camera and your creativity.
Yes. The workshop is suitable for complete beginners as well as photographers and drone pilots who already have experience. The training is tailored to your ability, drone and photography goals.
No. Beginners are welcome. We’ll work through the fundamentals and build your confidence while focusing on photography rather than simply flying.
You’ll learn aerial composition, drone camera settings, RAW photography, exposure, golden-hour photography, night photography, creative aerial techniques and cinematic drone movements.
Yes. Where conditions, location and safe flying requirements allow, the workshop can include techniques for photographing Manchester after dark, including working with artificial light and illuminated cityscapes.
Yes. We’ll look at shutter speed, aperture, ISO, Manual mode, RAW and exposure techniques, explaining how and why to adjust your settings for different situations.
Yes. You’ll receive practical guidance on editing your drone photographs in Adobe Lightroom, including exposure, colour, contrast, highlights, shadows and creating a polished final image.
Yes. The workshop can include cinematic flying techniques, controlled movements, reveals, tracking shots, establishing shots and hyperlapse techniques, depending on your drone and experience.
Training can take place around Manchester city centre, MediaCity Salford Quays and other suitable locations, depending on the type of photography you’re interested in and the conditions on the day.
Do I need an expensive drone?
No. The workshop can be adapted to the drone you already own. The aim is to help you understand and get the best from your own equipment.
The workshop is run by Mike McMahon of Sky High Photography UK, an award-winning photographer and A2CofC holder who has been shortlisted in the 2026 British Photography Awards in the Drone category.
Yes. The workshop is designed as personalised 1-to-1 training, allowing the session to focus specifically on your experience, equipment and photography goals.
Terms of Service
All bookings are non-refundable but can be transferred to a different date with prior notice atleast 48 hours before the workshop start date
We reserve the right to reschedule workshops based on the most up-to-date weather forecasts, we always try to provide at least 48 hours' notice
