Feature: 🦅📸 Stunning Aerial Views for Your Event or Business by Aanii Nichii Drones

The first thing that caught my attention when I connected with Paul Carl was his business name. Aanii Nichii literally translates to "Hello, Friend" in Anishinaabemowin, and that’s exactly how he treats everyone he meets. What started as a fun hobby for a guy who just loved to fly has grown into a meaningful social enterprise right here in Kingston.

(If you’re curious like I was about how to pronounce it, it’s Ah-knee nee-chee)

Paul didn't take the traditional path to becoming a pro pilot. He likes to joke that his wife was his "angel investor," supporting his passion until it took flight as a full-time venture.

High-flying talent clearly runs in the family, too—his son is a helicopter pilot!

But while his son handles the big birds, Paul has found his calling in the precision and art of drone flight, using his skills to help our community see itself from a whole new perspective.

While Paul is more than happy to help with a property shoot, he’s carved out a very different path for Aanii Nichii Drones. He focuses his lens on things that truly matter to the soul of our region: environmental conservation, Indigenous projects, and rural tourism.

Through his "Indigenous Community Aerial Initiative," Paul uses his technology to support local food sovereignty. He’s often found hovering over the Highway 15 Indigenous Food Sovereignty Garden or working with Little Forest and community gardens to document their community impact. For Paul, it’s not just about a pretty picture; it’s about using a bird’s eye view to help these vital projects grow and succeed.

When you’re flying a high-speed camera through the air, "cool" takes a backseat to "safe." Paul is a stickler for the rules, he holds Advanced RPAS Pilot Certification and a Standing SFOC (Special Flight Operations Certificate) for Advertised Events.

In plain English?  While other pilots might have to wait 30 to 60 days for permission to fly an advertised event, Paul is pre-authorized. He can often be cleared to fly with just a few days' notice, making him the "go-to" guy for events that need professional coverage on a tight timeline.

But for Paul, safety is about more than just paperwork; it’s about respect. You won’t find him flying over private homes without permission or intruding on sensitive areas. He even has a self-imposed "no-fly" rule for certain situations, like respecting the privacy of the unhoused or ensuring he doesn't spook nesting ospreys.

If you see a bright orange drone in the Kingston sky with a bear paw logo on the side, you know it’s Paul. He wraps his gear in high-visibility "Safety Orange" so people can see him coming—a literal sign that a professional is at the controls.

Paul doesn’t just fly drones; he has a real eye for the perfect shot; his 2025 Silver Winner spot in the "Community Votes" Photographer category makes it official. It’s one thing to get a camera in the air, but it’s another to capture the soul of a landscape—and it’s pretty impressive when you realize he’s competing with every ground-dwelling photographer in town!

Beyond his technical skill, what really stays with you after talking to Paul is his deep sense of respect. Whether he is talking about the land, the wildlife, or the people in our community, there is a level of consideration that is rare to find. He isn't just taking photos; he is honoring the subjects he captures.

He loves finding those "hidden gems" that we usually miss—like secret ponds tucked away in the trees or the unique geometric patterns of our local community gardens. But if you ask Paul what the best part of his day is, it probably isn't the awards. It’s the look on a kid’s face when he lets them "land" the drone on its pad. Sharing that magic and helping people see their own backyard in a way they never imagined is what keeps him looking up.

If you are thinking about hiring someone to capture your next big event or business project, Paul has some great advice: don’t just hire the first person with a cool drone. Always make sure your pilot has the right insurance, certification, and a solid understanding of regulations, privacy, safety and liability. It protects you, your guests, and the business!

Planning ahead pays off. For most pilots, getting the green light for an advertised event can take up to two months of government paperwork. Because of Paul’s Standing SFOC for Advertised Events, he can  cut that wait time down to just 5 days. It still pays to call early, but if you have a professional project on a shorter timeline, Paul is definitely the guy to talk to.

Paul runs Aanii Nichii Drones with a "give and take" model. He’s spent years building relationships and doing in-kind work for local community groups, proving that you can reach new heights by keeping your feet (and your heart) firmly planted in your community.

We’ve got even more drone goodness coming your way! Keep an eye on your inbox for a future issue where we’ll spotlight the "Learn to Fly" event happening on May 16th. You won’t want to miss the details on that one.

In the meantime, if you want to see more of Paul’s award-winning work or chat about an upcoming project of your own, you can find him online. He is currently working on a brand-new website refresh set to launch in March 2026, but you can still visit his current home on the web or say hi over on Facebook or by email. .

Website: aaniinichiidrones.ca

Facebook: Aanii Nichii Drones

Email: [email protected]

Phone:343-363-0394