Abstract: A camera system for taking aerial, still photographs. The system includes a video camera mounted proximate the distal end of a telescoping mast assembly. The mast assembly can be extended, when oriented in a generally-vertical orientation, to effect elevation of the video camera. The video camera mounts a still camera such that lens axes of the video camera and still camera can be made to converge at a desired subject when the video camera has been elevated to a desired height. The system includes controllers for remotely operating motors to effect pan and tilt of the video camera, and to remotely control operation of the still camera.