PARIS, France — Paris is picture-perfect. Always ready for its closeup. Most people try to capture that memorable shot at ground level. But 80-year-old Jeffrey Milstein got the rare opportunity to board a helicopter and soar above the Olympic host city.
"It's just kind of amazing and wonderful. To see the Louvre, the pyramid, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc," said Milstein.
Flying and photography have been passions since Milstein was a teenager.
"I got my pilot's license on my 17th birthday. I used to fly around in a Cessna 150 over Los Angeles in the days before the controlled airspace. I would take the camera with me and take pictures," said Milstein.
Aerial photography is Milstein's third career.
"I started as an architect. Then I did a publishing company doing notecards in the 1980's and 90's. I sold that and began photography in 2000," said Milstein.
His first portfolio showcased a 747 airplane landing in Los Angeles International Airport. He began taking photos above airports.
"I love looking down from above and seeing all the different things from the natural, earth curvature, and how the mountains were formed," said Milstein. "You can see the plateaus and you can see how the rivers cut away like the grand canyon. Then, you see where the city starts. I would always fly across the country and I'd look out the window the whole time," said Milstein.
Milstein has flown and photographed above Los Angeles, New York and Orlando and overseas in Amsterdam and London. He even flew and photographed above Times Square on New Year's Eve to see America ring in 2024.
His aerial photos have filled the pages of books. Milstein is one of a handful of photographers ever granted access to fly and photograph above Paris.
"It's dream-like. It's like you're in this wonderful space," said Milstein. "When I fly in the helicopter, we have the door open. I have them make very steep turns. Not all pilots will do it. But, I had a very good pilot in Paris," said Milstein. "For the Eiffel Tower, it's just amazing structure. It's unbelievable."
Timing is everything to capture amazing photos of the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe.
"The sun was setting right down the avenue. And, it's all kind of yellow and orange and the shadows are coming straight down," said Milstein.
Milstein was also granted permission to fly over Versailles.
"They put the lights on the palace. So, that was kind of exciting," said Milstein.
While tourists and locals click away hoping to get memorable pics of Paris from the ground, Milstein is in rarified air.
"There's been five people in 40 years they've let fly over Paris," said Milstein.
He is capturing the beauty of the Olympic host city from a place few will ever reach.
"I always look at the birds and think I wish I could fly like a bird. So, this is the closest I can get," said Milstein.