Parker Gyokeres
UAV Photojournalist

The owner, pilot and pointy-head-in-charge at Propellerheads, Parker Gyokeres was an award winning U.S. Air Force Photojournalist and Chief of Public Affairs who retired in 2014 after 22 years of distinguished service. He has dedicated his life to changing the way we see our world using creativity, enthusiasm and technology.    

A former military media relations instructor, drone subject matter expert/speaker and professional photojournalist, Gyokeres also serves as a member of the board of directors for the Professional Society of Drone Journalists. He is the host of the PropHeadsPhoto channel on Youtube. He is also the chief pilot and trainer for Ripper Systems United States. He also advises national and international clients on the design, operation and deployment of advanced aerial systems for use by photographers, surveyors, cinematographers and military contractors.  

Gyokeres joined the U.S. Air Force in 1992 as a fighter weapons system technician before cross-training to become a public affairs photojournalist in 2006.  His 22 years of worldwide expeditionary experience includes three deployments to Afghanistan and one to Iraq, as well as Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Spain, Alaska, Italy and Iceland.  

He has captured over a million images in the course of his award-winning career and merges his passion for photography with his technical expertise as the founder of Propellerheads.  His goal is to show people the power of an elevated perspective, and to help safely raise voices and gain understanding through advanced autonomous technology.  That, and shooting race cars, explosions, and other epic stuff.     

Recent work includes partnerships with clients such as B&H Photo Video, the United Nations, The History Channel, Comedy Central, Cadillac, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, ESPN, The New York Times, BMW Motorsports, USDA, EPA, US Forest Service, Department of Defense, Verizon, Fresh Direct, BD, Tool North America, SunPower Solar, Monticello Motor Club, Speyside Holdings, EduNet (Educational Networks), Volley Studios, Harrington Talents, Nike/Air Jordan, Wu-Tang Clan, Copart Inc., Fake Love, TANGRAM 3DS, Vault Filmworks, Leftfield Entertainment, Carrot Creative, Pirate Shark Dinosaur, Oheka Castle, and The Battleship NJ Foundation. 

As a remote control sUAS pilot and builder, he has been active in the study and use of this technology for more than a decade and has extensive experience with the design, construction and operation of both multicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.  Please contact Propellerheads for your next hand-built aerial photography vehicle or personalized professional training program.

He also advocates and educates about the safe, responsible use of small UAVs for aerial photography at speaking and training events nationwide. His goal is to build acceptance and safe use of this exciting new capability in the hands of professional photographers, filmmakers, and artists.  He firmly believes using this technology is no different from the use of helicopters and manned aircraft for aerial photography, but this technology is safer, less expensive and provides much better results in much less time. 

As a result of his obsession with safety in all its operations, Propellerheads maintains a perfect safety record.  Please contact Parker for a consultation before your next creative project.  

Notable accomplishments:

National Press Photographers Association, Special Citation (2016)
United States Air Force, Retired
Board member, Professional Society of Drone Journalists.
U.S. Air Force photojournalism award winner (2013)
Six-time USAF Air Combat Command award winner.
15-time USAF Air Mobility Command award winner.

Aerial, Written and photographic works featured by: