Aerial photographer Jason Hawkes has been flying over London for over 20 years, shooting whilst leaning out of the door of AS355 helicopters from heights of between 450ft up to 2500ft.
Jason shoots for advertising and design clients as well as having produced over 50 books of his works.
Below are some of his favourite images from throughout 2022.
This year’s record-breaking summer, with highs of 40.3C, left us all sweltering.
The effect was clearly visible from the sky and made for striking images, such as this aerial view of a parched Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park.
“I’ve been flying over London for well over 20 years but can’t think of a summer previously where the parks looked so parched,” said Jason.
“It was an amazing set of weeks to go flying with so many days with clear blue skies and great to see the city bustling with people when compared to previous covid years.”
Capturing the iconic Palace of Westminster in the early morning was a “great experience”, said Jason - despite it requiring an early start.
The July dawn gives a low light, with many of the capital’s most recognisable buildings visible along the Thames, including the London Eye.
“This was shot in July at 6am in the morning to get lovely low light and the Thames at high tide,” said the photographer.
“Shooting at dawn is always a great experience. I normally have to leave home at 3am and be down at the aerodrome by 5am to set up and then we can lift at sunrise.”
The opening of Battersea Power station as a new shopping destination after years of lying empty also yielded eye-catching snaps.
The power station’s iconic chimneys can be seen framing the results of the restoration of the Grade II listed building, which opened to shoppers on October 14 - nearly 40 years since it was decommissioned. Pictured is the art’otel hotel at 1 Electric Boulevard.
“It was a great moment to finally see Battersea Power Station open in October this year,” Jason recalled.
“I’ve been shooting progress images of the site and surroundings in Battersea, Nine Elms and Vauxhall for years and the building now looks just incredible, the lighting of the chimneys at night are really special.”
At Christmas, London’s iconic shopping streets light up - and the festive cheer can be seen from above in this snap of Regent Street.
The view looks south from Oxford Circus, and shows the throngs of shoppers getting in their Christmas shopping.
“[It] just makes such a difference with the crowds of people enjoying being out in the West End again,” he said.
The Thames is among the most distinctive features of London from the air. But in this shot, using a 200m lens, perspective is shortened - causing the river to disappear even as other London landmarks are visible.
“[It’s] looking from over the Serpentine to Mayfair and Hyde Park Corner, then to South Bank and beyond,” explained Jason.
“It’s a strange viewpoint as you can’t see the Thames cutting through the city from this low angle.”
More photographs capturing the capital from above be found on Jason’s website, or on his Instagram @jasonhawkes.
