Gaia Aerial Imagery was founded on the belief that aerial imagery is most valuable when it's collected with purpose.
Rather than approaching every project the same way, Gaia begins by understanding the landscape itself — its ecology, its history, the questions being asked, and how aerial imagery can best support the people working there. That perspective comes from a foundation in conservation science as much as from professional drone operations.
Aerial Imagery, Grounded in Conservation Science
About Gaia Aerial Imagery
Meet the Founder
Hi, I'm Anna Soccorsi, founder of Gaia Aerial Imagery.
I'm an FAA Part 107 Certified Remote Pilot with a Master of Arts in Conservation Ecology from Columbia University. Before founding Gaia, I worked in coastal ecology, biodiversity research, habitat monitoring, and environmental fieldwork across the Northeast, including conducting endangered shorebird monitoring in East Hampton, New York and researching carnivore responses to urban landscapes in the Hudson Valley.
That work taught me something that still shapes every Gaia project: the most valuable aerial imagery isn't simply beautiful—it's useful. It should help people understand a landscape, communicate change, and make informed decisions.
Where Science Meets Purpose
I've always been drawn to landscapes, not only as ecosystems, but as places with stories to tell. Drone technology is a way to see those places from an entirely different perspective: sometimes to document shoreline change or habitat restoration, other times to reveal the geometry of a vineyard, the design of a landscape installation, or the setting of a waterfront property.
Whatever the goal, I start every project with questions, not equipment:
What information will be most valuable?
Who will use it, and how?
How will it support the work?
Only then do I plan the flight, the imagery, and the deliverables. The answer might be a detailed orthomosaic map or a drone-based elevation model, repeat photography across several growing seasons, or a single image that tells the story of a place. The same attention to composition, context, and purpose goes into each one.
Experience & Capabilities
Gaia’s work spans the range of Long Island’s landscapes. Recent and ongoing projects include drone-based elevation mapping supporting a coastal dune-restoration project and aerial imagery work for a conservation nonprofit protecting local waterways.
This work is backed by professional-grade operations: RTK-enabled mapping for consistent, georeferenced data collection, high-resolution photography, and processing into orthomosaics, digital elevation models, and GIS- and CAD-ready products. Gaia collaborates with environmental consultants, engineers, municipalities, and land trusts—providing professional aerial data acquisition while respecting the expertise and responsibilities of each discipline.
In Greek mythology, Gaia is the personification of the Earth. The name reflects a simple idea: that landscapes deserve thoughtful observation and careful stewardship. Whether documenting coastal change, supporting a conservation effort, or showcasing a property, every project begins with an appreciation for the place itself. It's a reminder that aerial imagery isn't just about seeing from above — it's about seeing with greater understanding.
Why “Gaia”?
Photography has always been part of how I connect with the landscape. Many of the aerial images featured throughout this website began not as client work, but as personal explorations of Long Island's coastlines, wetlands, and changing seasons. Those Signature Aerial Collections continue to influence how I approach every flight — balancing technical precision with an eye for composition, light, and place.
Beyond Client Projects
Whether you're documenting environmental change, managing a working landscape, or showcasing a unique property, I'd love to learn more about your project and explore how aerial imagery can support your goals.