Billy Hardiman

Lifestyle & Hospitality Photographer @ Billy Hardiman Photography

About

Commercial photographer delivering high-impact advertising imagery across lifestyle, hospitality, travel, and aviation, on location, in studio, and from the air. Known for a collaborative, easygoing presence on set that consistently translates into natural, believable imagery.My approach is shaped by a background in aerospace engineering, aviation, and creative production, along with a genuine enjoyment of meeting people and learning about their experiences.Before transitioning into independent creative work in 2021, I worked in aerospace engineering and technology startups, contributing to avionics systems development, verification, and flight qualification within aerospace research environments.I hold FAA Part 107 drone certification and am a licensed helicopter pilot, with extensive experience directing complex air-to-air shoots in collaboration with helicopter crews and aviation brands.Alongside client work, I continue to build ventures at the intersection of photography, technology, and real-world problem solving, including licensed Class 4 laser systems, custom-controlled lighting, and immersive visual experiences.I’m currently engaged in global advertising work and open to collaborations with creative teams and agencies that value thoughtful, well-crafted visual storytelling.

Country

United States

City

Phoenix

Industry

Marketing & Advertising

Skill

TypeScript, Full-Stack Development, HTML5, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Node.js, React.js, Cloudflare, SQL, Drone Photography, Creative Direction, Helicopters, Advertising, Lifestyle Photography, Hazard Mitigation, Technical Training, Laser Safety, Systems Modeling, Workflow Automation, Radiation Safety, Failure Analysis

Experience

Lifestyle & Hospitality Photographer

Billy Hardiman Photography

2013-5 - Present · 13 yrs 5 mos

Worldwide

Advertising and commercial photographer specializing in lifestyle, travel, hospitality, and aviation imagery. Partners with creative teams to deliver on-brand visuals aligned with campaign strategy, art direction, and production goals. Experienced directing talent and coordinating aerial imagery, including air-to-air helicopter operations. Based in Arizona and available for campaigns worldwide.

Laser Safety Officer

Self-Employed

2023-11 - Present · 2 yrs 11 mos

Arizona, United States

Laser safety officer overseeing high powered Class 4 laser use in accordance with federal, state, and local safety regulations. Responsibilities include hazard analysis, protocol development, system audits, and ongoing compliance with ANSI Z136 and FDA requirements. I lead safety training and risk mitigation efforts, ensuring all laser systems are properly calibrated, maintained, and operated within regulated parameters. I audit audience scanning setups to ensure public safety and work closely with state and federal regulators to support client objectives while maintaining full compliance with all applicable legal and safety standards in both research and commercial environments.

Software Developer

Self-Employed

2022-2 - Present · 4 yrs 8 mos

Developing software tools that solve real problems and simply work. Currently building a rights-managed image licensing platform that helps photographers get paid for their work while enabling clients to license and access high-quality imagery quickly and efficiently, alongside image and video optimization pipelines for global web and streaming delivery. Full-stack, serverless technologies including TypeScript, React, Node.js, SQL, and Python, and strong hands-on experience across a wide range of modern web technologies and frameworks.

Electrical Engineer

Northrop Grumman

2018-6 - 2021-1 · 2 yrs 8 mos

Chandler, AZ

Electrical engineer specializing in avionics testing for space launch systems. Led the development and execution of detailed test procedures at NASA’s Space Radiation Laboratory, focusing on the radiation tolerance of mission-critical components such as microcontrollers, flash memory, and circuit card assemblies. Worked closely with cross-functional teams to investigate anomalies, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions within program timelines. Developed software tools to support procurement decision-making and battery capacity modeling, improving data accuracy and engineering workflow efficiency across the department.