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As we wave goodbye to summer 2024, what better way to look back on London's sultrier months, than with the resplendent aerial photography of Jason Hawkes.
For a quarter of a century now, Hawkes has been snapping the capital from heights of 750ft up to 2400ft.
This latest batch of pictures recalls Londoners picnicking on the lawns out the front of Battersea Power Station, and golden sunlight shimmering on the Thames of an evening. (Did we just dream all of that rain then?)
Jason tells us: "In the summer we usually get up in the helicopter just after dawn. This means leaving home at 3.30am, getting to the hangar by 5am and often lifting by 5.45am to get lovely warm low light over the city.
"We fly in AS355 twin engined helicopters... Once overhead I'll double check my harness etc and slide open the door which gives fantastic unrestricted views."
Much has changed in 25 years of photographing London. The Olympic Park wasn't there when Jason started, neither was the Battersea Power Station complex, or most of the buildings clustering in the City of London.
Brand new structures — like EDGE London Bridge — are still yet to be completed.
"It's incredible to document the changes in the city," says Jason, "When I first flew over London more than 25 years ago the city was so much more low rise than it is today, some parts are barley recognisable.
"It's a very overdone viewpoint but probably my favourite image in this collection is the shot looking west down the Thames over Tower Bridge. The light and the shadows are just lovely.
"There is nothing better than sitting in a hover with a fantastic sunset and asking the pilot to fly slowly sideways up the Thames whilst I lean out of the door. Times like that I think I must have one of the best jobs in London."
All images © Jason Hawkes
