Stunning views of the capital from above as captured by renowned photographer Jason Hawkes

London’s iconic skyline, with its ever-changing light and architectural landmarks, takes on a unique charm when seen from above, and photographer Jason Hawkes has spent years capturing the city from the skies.

Hawkes, who takes to the skies in an AS355 helicopter at all hours of the day, describes his work as “pretty good fun,” despite the often challenging nature of the shoots. “The flights are safe and no more daunting than getting in a car,” he says, even when the helicopter sometimes tilts steeply while dodging air traffic. His shoots, which sometimes last only 30 seconds per image, are fast-paced but rewarding, with up to four or five days dedicated to editing the thousands of photos taken.

A typical day for Hawkes involves three flights, starting at 5am in the summer to catch the best light, and capturing up to 8000 images. The veteran photographer, who first began using film cameras at the age of 21, now shoots digitally, often tethered to a laptop, allowing him to begin editing before even landing.

Throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, Hawkes focused much of his attention on capturing familiar London landmarks from a fresh perspective, including Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus, and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. One of his favourite views is from the east of the City of London, where he captures the stunning sunset over the tower blocks. “The colours can be amazing, and the view changes constantly,” he explains. “Even if you fly over the same location 30 times, each flight offers something different.”

Hawkes, who began his career decades ago, aims to continue photographing London for as long as possible, driven by the ever-changing beauty of the city. “The views are incredible – they never get old.”