Shay Osborne found her sales and marketing experience was a good fit for the UAS industry. Once in the industry she fell in love with aerial photography.
What did you do prior to coming into the industry?
I worked in sales and marketing.
Industry Experience
How did you get started in the drone industry?
When I first started at Pink Media Productions, I was brought on as a photographer. It didn’t take long for me to realize that my experience in marketing and sales could be used to help grow the business. And grow we did – while our business increased by 110%, our primary drone pilot had a family emergency that took them out of commission for an extended period of time. This created an opportunity for me to learn all things drone. Fortunately, we have an incredible team who loves flying drones and has a passion for teaching. Thanks to them, I was able to get up to speed quickly and continue providing our clients with the high level of service they’ve come to expect from us.
Tell us about your current organization
Let me tell you a little about Pink Media Productions, What we do is unique and tailored for the commercial real estate and construction industry. We utilized our expertise and equipment to elevate our clients videography and still imagery needs through our time-lapse, certified drones, 3D Matterport tours, cameras and expert directors and photographers. We care about the details, which start from conceptualization and all the way through to post-production. In the end, our Clients receive high quality assets that will make their brand stand out in digital campaigns, on web devices and on the social media landscape. We love to produce captivating imagery that highlights the unique details and quality in commercial spaces.
Tell us about your current role in the industry
I am currently the Director of Sales and Marketing Development for Pink Media Productions. That’s my official title, but much like the title mom my responsibilities encompass so much more than the title suggests. If you need something done you go to mom. When you need something from Pink Media I am the one behind the scenes organizing things and filling and gaps so every thing goes as planned. My day-to-day is a bit of everything, one day I might be writing a proposal for a new drone project we are bidding on and the next day I am in the field flying drones and taking photos. No day is ever the same which is what I love about my job. It’s also what keeps me on my toes and always looking for new opportunities to help our company grow
I wear a lot of hats. In addition to sales and marketing, I also handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes logistics and operations. This can be everything from coordinating travel to ordering supplies. No matter what the task is, my goal is always to make sure that things run smoothly and that our clients are happy.
One of the most exciting aspects of my job is working with our drone team. We have a small but very talented crew that shoots some incredible footage. It’s always a rush to see the final product and know that we were able to capture something special. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to work with such creative and talented people.
What do you like most about being in the industry?
One of the best parts about my job is being an eyewitness to the infrastructure being built for the communities around us. I have seen schools, zoos, hospitals, youth centers, office buildings, and bio labs that will develop life-saving treatments being built from the ground up. Walking on these job sites daily to document the hard work of the men and women who build the world around us is truly a unique experience. I love being able to photograph and film the aspects of a build most of the world never gets to see. drone footage provides an aerial perspective that gives our clients a real sense of progress and accomplishment. It’s exciting to be a part of such an important industry!
What’s your favorite type of project and why?
I am passionate about aerial photography and videography, but I also enjoy capturing footage on our ground up projects. There is something special about getting an up-close look at the construction process. Each job site is its own unique environment, with its own set of challenges and opportunities. I never know what kind of lighting conditions I will encounter or what interesting footage I will capture. And because construction sites are constantly changing, even the same job site feels brand new each time I visit. Of course, it is worth noting that all of our clients have strict safety standards in place, and I am always equipped with the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety training before entering a construction site. Through my experiences on construction sites, I have learned a great deal
What excites you most about the potential for women in the industry?
Something exciting about women in the drone industry. They’re innovating, trailblazing, and showing that drone technology is for everyone. The drone industry is still fairly new, and it’s refreshing to see women at the forefront of this cutting-edge technology. Whether they’re developing new drone applications or operating drone businesses, these women are proving that drones are not just a man’s world. In a few years, the drone industry is going to be booming, and it’s thanks to trailblazing women like the women on this forum that it will be accessible to everyone.
What’s your current favorite drone to fly?
I have only had the opportunity to fly DJI drones.
What You’ve Learned
What has been your most significant “lightbulb” moment since you entered the industry?
Realizing what a key role drones could have on the construction industry from marketing too day to day operations. It’s a beautiful sight, really. To see a construction site is to see the rawest form of art. So many different craft workers coming together to create one final product. And each person is so focused on their own piece of the puzzle. It’s like watching an artist at work, completely consumed by their creation. The right light can make the scene even more captivating, like a painting come to life. There’s also a lot of untapped potential for drone technology on construction sites. If I knew more about software, I could help create some innovative drone products that would be really helpful for the construction industry. But even without that, the unity and artistry on construction sites is something to behold and best captured with a drone
What have you learned you wish you had known when you got started?
I have what it takes! “if you can grow someone else’s business, you have the ability to grow your own.” To me, it’s always been a confidence issue – if I can help someone else succeed, surely I can achieve the same for myself. But it’s also about having the drive and passion to see things through. If I can pour my heart and soul into making someone else’s dream a reality, then I know I have what it takes to make my own dreams come true. It’s just a matter of taking that leap of faith and believing in myself. Sooner or later, success will follow.
Any suggestions for other women entering the industry?
Find a mentor and be a mentor. As women, we often dedicate our lives to the needs of others. But if we invest the same energy, compassion and sheer will power into our own growth, there would be nothing to hold us back. Let’s mentor each other, build each other up, and champion each other’s success. Fight our insecurities that compel us to stifle another woman’s growth because when one of us succeeds not only do we all succeed but our daughters and granddaughters succeed too. So get out there and fly drones and create. It is time that we break down the barriers that stand in our way and soar to new heights. The world is waiting for Us!
