About SeaState Productions
Journalist.
Pioneer.
Pilot.
I'm Erik Olsen — an award-winning journalist, filmmaker, and one of the earliest adopters of drone technology in professional media. I was the first person to fly a drone for The New York Times, and produced one of the first major stories ever published about drone racing. I've been obsessed with seeing the world from the air ever since.
As a former Senior Video Journalist for The New York Times (New York & Berlin) and West Coast Video Correspondent for Quartz, my work has appeared in National Geographic, BBC, Scientific American, Popular Science, CNN's Great Big Story, MSNBC, and more. I've directed for PBS NOVA, shot aerial drone footage for documentary films, spent weeks at sea with the world's top oceanographic institutions, and once dove to over 2,000 feet in a submersible.
SeaState Productions brings that same editorial eye and technical depth to every flight. Stunning aerial work shouldn't be reserved for Hollywood budgets — and with decades of real-world experience behind the camera (and the controller), I deliver cinematic quality at honest rates.
NYT Pioneer
First drone pilot to fly for The New York Times
PBS / NOVA
Produced & directed an hour-long episode for PBS NOVA
Ocean & Air
From 2,000ft below sea to thousands of feet above it
FAA Part 107
Licensed, insured & flying commercially since day one
What I Do
Services That
Fly Above The Rest
Stunning aerial walkthroughs and property overviews that sell homes faster. Showcase square footage, lot size, location context, and neighborhood appeal like never before.
Cinematic B-roll, brand films, and commercial footage that makes your project look like it had a million-dollar budget. Dynamic movements, smooth tracking shots, custom color grades.
Breathtaking aerial coverage of your most important moments. Wedding ceremonies, outdoor festivals, corporate events — captured from angles that leave guests speechless.
Regular site documentation, progress tracking, and project milestone photography. Give stakeholders a bird's eye view of every phase from groundbreaking to grand opening.
High-resolution aerial stills in RAW format, ready for print or digital use. Perfect for real estate listings, marketing collateral, tourism boards, and editorial features.
Safe, efficient aerial inspection of rooftops, cell towers, solar arrays, and hard-to-reach infrastructure — reducing risk and cost compared to traditional inspection methods.
Portfolio
The View
From Up Here
Video Showcase
Watch The
Magic Happen
Transparent Pricing
Great Rates.
No Surprises.
Every project is unique, so every quote is custom — but here's what you can expect. I believe in being upfront about costs so you can plan with confidence.
Perfect for small properties & quick jobs
- Up to 2 hours on location
- 10–20 edited aerial photos
- 1 edited video clip (60 sec)
- Online delivery within 48 hrs
- 1 round of revisions
Ideal for real estate, events & branded content
- Full day on location (6 hrs)
- 30–50 edited aerial photos
- 2–3 edited video segments
- 4K resolution deliverables
- Color graded LUT applied
- Priority 48-hr delivery
- 2 rounds of revisions
For construction docs, long-term contracts & productions
- Multi-day scheduling available
- RAW footage included
- Full production package
- Inspection & reporting
- Dedicated project manager
- Unlimited revisions
Get In Touch
Let's
Talk Shop
Ready to take your project to new heights? Fill out the form or reach me directly. I respond to all inquiries within 24 hours and offer free consultations for every new project.