Drone Company San Diego recently had the opportunity to assist with aerial photography for a Wall St. Journal story centered on the desalination plant in Carlsbad, California.
John Francis Peters was the lead photographer and director, and Daniel Travers of Drone Company San Diego assisted with drone photography for the story.
Wall St. Journal Story Preview
The full Wall St. Journal article may require a subscription to view.
Below is a screen grab preview of the story, along with a link to the article.
Wall St. Journal article: San Diego Now Has So Much Water That It’s Selling It
Lead Photographer John Francis Peters website: jfpetersphoto.com
Aerial Photography Support for the Carlsbad Assignment
This assignment was a good example of how drone photography can support editorial work.
It is not just about getting a higher angle. It is about helping show the scale, context, and setting of a subject in a way that adds something useful to the story.
For a major infrastructure site like the Carlsbad desalination plant, that perspective matters. Aerial photography helps reveal the footprint of the facility and gives a broader sense of place that would be difficult to communicate from the ground alone.
It was great to assist John Francis Peters on this assignment and contribute aerial imagery to a story tied to such an important part of the region’s infrastructure.
About the Carlsbad Desalination Plant
The Carlsbad desalination plant is one of the most recognized pieces of water infrastructure in the region.
It plays an important role in San Diego County’s broader water supply system and is often part of larger conversations around drought, long-term planning, and water reliability.
That is part of what made this shoot especially interesting. It is a large and visually striking facility, and aerial photography was a strong fit for showing its scale and location.
Additional Aerial Photos From the Shoot
Along with the imagery that supported the Wall St. Journal story, Drone Company San Diego also captured additional aerial photos during the shoot that did not make it into the final article.
What Our Clients Say
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Great experience working with Drone Company San Diego! Quick turnaround, very knowledgeable, friendly, and easy to communicate with throughout the whole process. They made everything smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend!
Tiffany Skates
April 27, 2026I had a great experience working with Daniel from Drone Company SD. His experience really showed in the way he efficiently planned and executed the shots. Getting us through a... read more
daniel schaeffer
April 22, 2026I hired Drone Co San Diego for drone video as part of a fast-paced, complex editorial shoot. Daniel was extremely responsive, knowledgeable, and easy to work with throughout. The whole... read more
John Francis Peters
April 17, 2026 -
Daniel was very responsive, reasonably priced, and quick with provided the requested items. He has made completing my project for my client possible and I would definitely use his services... read more
Matthew Vasquez
January 29, 2026Great shots and easy to work with. I will be using them again for my other real estate needs!
Libby Pickett
January 28, 2026Daniel took my first call at 5pm the night before and showed up at 7 am the next morning to capture my clients new manufactured homes being delivered. ... read more
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January 12, 2026
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Drone Company San Diego provides aerial photography for editorial assignments, commercial projects, infrastructure, and marketing.
Based in the Gaslamp Quarter, Drone Company San Diego works throughout San Diego County with licensed and insured drone pilots.
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About The Author
Daniel Travers leads Drone Company San Diego, providing expert aerial photography and videography.
As an FAA Part 107 certified drone pilot with over 20 years of digital media experience, he crafts stunning visuals that help businesses connect with their audiences.
His work includes experience with brands like iHeartMedia, Lexus, KIA, and more. Daniel holds a BFA in Photo New Media from the Kansas City Art Institute and an AAS in Graphic Communications from St. Louis Community College.