Steve Mermelstein
Photographer • cinematographer • Maker • creator • INSTRUCTOR
"In Vermont, beauty can be found in almost every direction. You only need to open your eyes. If you're not seeing it, turn your head. But, from the sky, it's even more apparent and beautiful. You have a bird-eye view with a drone, and flying one in Vermont is like nothing else. It's breathtaking and unequaled." – Steve Mermelstein
Steve Mermelstein, is an award-winning full-time professional commercial and aerial photographer/cinematographer and photography workshop instructor based in South Burlington, Vermont. He works throughout New England and beyond.
Diverse Knowledge and Skills.
Steve worked as a stringer and photojournalist for several newspapers in South Florida while he was obtaining a Ph.D. in criminal psychology. After his studies, he 'refocused' on his love of photography and cinematography.
An Innovator and Trailblazer.
As a pioneer in unmanned aerial systems, aerial photography, and live streaming tech and production, he has worked for or consulted for Samsung, GoPro, Sony, DJI, Facebook, Google, YouTube, Ustream, various movie/TV studios, TV networks, music labels, and others.
As soon as technology allowed, Steve started experimenting with quadcopters and drones to further explore his love for photography. Steve has been a responsible model aircraft pilot since 1989 and continues his perfect safety record. He sees drones quickly becoming an indispensable photography tool that is as ubiquitous as tripods and monopods.
So Steve can concentrate on "making/getting the shot," Steve prefers to utilize dual-operator drones (dedicated operator/pilot and separate controls for his photography/cinematography). He custom-built drones with support for this long before it became a standard feature on modern professional/enterprise drones and a common practice in the industry.
Steve has been recognized for his expertise in small Unmanned Aerial Systems, aerial photography, cinematography drones, search and rescue, and innovative unmanned projects. He has received grants and distinguished industry awards. The media and press regularly rely on him for his insight and expertise on drones and unmanned aircraft.
Recognized Experience.
You might have seen some of Steve's photography/cinematography used by small businesses, large corporations, and nonprofits. From commercials, news programs, newspapers, magazines, billboards, TV shows, and movies to even Samsung TV boxes and TV demo reels in box stores, Steve's photography has also been published in books, brochures, advertisements, corporate reports, and on many websites.
• Samsung USA named Steve one of the Top 50 US Photographers in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
• Steve was contracted as a Samsung Imagelogger, a sponsored staff photographer.
• Vermont Photo Tours was named one of the “14 Can't-Miss Places to Visit in Vermont" by NECN.
• Steve was contracted as a Samsung Imagelogger, a sponsored staff photographer.
• Vermont Photo Tours was named one of the “14 Can't-Miss Places to Visit in Vermont" by NECN.
Experienced Instructor and Workshop Leader.
Steve has led private and group photography workshops for over two decades and also taught photography, cinematography, and drones/flight classes at many local middle/high schools and colleges, plus Upward Bound and summer camps. He has given hundreds of seminars, talks, and discussions at trade shows and other events.
He can show you what to look for to make a great photograph, answer all your photography, gear, and workflow questions, and give you helpful tips and advice so you can create the images you pre-visualize and dream of.
Steve loves the world and domestic travel. He spends much of his free time shooting landscapes and wildlife worldwide, but especially in Vermont and New England. Steve has visited all 251 of Vermont's towns and cities and explored nearly every road and backroad across the state. He can share Vermont's best-kept secrets with you.
Maker. Creator. Event Organizer. Team Builder.
From design to building drones, wings, and electronics, plus wood and metal work, 3D printing, and plasma/laser cutting, to organizing the Champlain Maker Faire and several other maker and educational drone events, Steve has always enjoyed projects requiring innovation, collaboration, and teamwork.
One Price Does Not Fit All.
Instead of offering packages or fixed prices, which can force you to pay for things you don't need. Steve is happy to provide you with a free quote for your specific needs. Get in touch to start discussing your vision and how he can make it happen!
Five-Star service:
★ Producing pixel-perfect work.
★ Making you happy AND look good.
★ Fitting your vision and brand.
★ Delivering on time without delays. No excuses! No nonsense!
★ Exceeding everyone's expectations.
★ Making you happy AND look good.
★ Fitting your vision and brand.
★ Delivering on time without delays. No excuses! No nonsense!
★ Exceeding everyone's expectations.
Available to work for:
• Individuals
• Small Businesses
• Large Business
• Corporations
• Government: Municipal, State, and Federal
• NGOs
• Photographers, Filmmakers, Production Companies, Studios, and Artists
• Small Businesses
• Large Business
• Corporations
• Government: Municipal, State, and Federal
• NGOs
• Photographers, Filmmakers, Production Companies, Studios, and Artists
Photography and cinematography to the following markets and industries:
• Advertising/PR
• Agriculture
• Architectural
• Businesses
• Construction
• Education
• Engineering
• Government: Municipal, State, and Federal
• Insurance
• Litigation and legal issues
• Permits/Planning
• Print
• Public Works
• Real Estate: RRE, CRE, Rentals, and Industrial
• Social Media
• Surveying
• Telecom
• Traffic
• Transportation
• TV/Film
• Utilities/Energy: Wind, Transmission, and Solar.
• Agriculture
• Architectural
• Businesses
• Construction
• Education
• Engineering
• Government: Municipal, State, and Federal
• Insurance
• Litigation and legal issues
• Permits/Planning
• Public Works
• Real Estate: RRE, CRE, Rentals, and Industrial
• Social Media
• Surveying
• Telecom
• Traffic
• Transportation
• TV/Film
• Utilities/Energy: Wind, Transmission, and Solar.
What Steve can do for you:
• Award-winning photography and cinematography.
• Photography Workshops or Instruction.
• Fabrication of unmanned aerial systems (drones).
• Consumer, Prosumer, and Pro Photography/Cinematography Product Development, Testing, and QA.
• Blog and Social Media Influencing and Tastemaking.
• Blogging/Guest blogging.
• Tweeting/Guest tweeting.
• Podcasting.
• Live Streaming.
• Spokesperson.
• Brand Ambassador.
• Brand Events.
• Attendee/Influencer/Advocate
• Panelist, Speaker, or Instructor.
• And more! Ask me.
• Photography Workshops or Instruction.
• Fabrication of unmanned aerial systems (drones).
• Consumer, Prosumer, and Pro Photography/Cinematography Product Development, Testing, and QA.
• Blog and Social Media Influencing and Tastemaking.
• Blogging/Guest blogging.
• Tweeting/Guest tweeting.
• Podcasting.
• Live Streaming.
• Spokesperson.
• Brand Ambassador.
• Brand Events.
• Attendee/Influencer/Advocate
• Panelist, Speaker, or Instructor.
• And more! Ask me.
Qualifications and Certifications:
• Fully Insured and Licensed.
• Expert FAA licensed Remote Pilots with sUAS Endorsement.
• FAA/ATC Cleared Operations.
• 10 Hour OSHA General Construction
• 30 Hour OSHA General Construction and Demolition
• Man Lift Safety Trained
• Confined Spaces Trained
• Fall Protection
• OSHA HAZWOPER
• FEMA CERT
• FEMA ICS 100
• Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED
• Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid
• Expert FAA licensed Remote Pilots with sUAS Endorsement.
• FAA/ATC Cleared Operations.
• 10 Hour OSHA General Construction
• 30 Hour OSHA General Construction and Demolition
• Man Lift Safety Trained
• Confined Spaces Trained
• Fall Protection
• OSHA HAZWOPER
• FEMA CERT
• FEMA ICS 100
• Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED
• Red Cross Wilderness and Remote First Aid
Steve Mermelstein gives a tour of Vermont Drone's studio to Vermont Governor Phil Scott.
All of Steve’s Images and Videos on this site are available for purchase or license. Steve also has an extensive Image and Video collection of iconic Vermont and New England landscapes, people, places, and wildlife, in every season. Please contact Steve for exclusive or nonexclusive licensing terms and/or purchase information. He also welcomes inquiries for images or videos of specific places and wildlife in Vermont or New England.
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