Writer & Photographer / Christina Cochran
It all started with a retirement gift and a simple comment from a mother-in-law.
When Ron Smith purchased one of the first camera drones nearly a decade ago, he had no idea it would transform his post-military life — and become the foundation for one of Franklin’s most creative small businesses.
“I had bought it as an early retirement gift to myself,” Ron recalls with a laugh. “I was flying it around my mother-in-law’s place near Morgantown and showing everyone the pictures. She looked at me and said, ‘These are really good, you should do this when you retire.’ I told her no one would pay me to do that.”
As it turns out, she was right — and Ron was wrong.
After a brief stint behind a government desk, Ron realized that the traditional retirement path wasn’t for him.“I lasted eight months,” he says. “Sitting behind a desk was not what I wanted. My wife, Ashley, and I decided I’d be a stay-at-home dad for a while. That was tough, but rewarding. I got to spend a lot of time with my kids, but I also wanted to help out with the bills.”
That desire to contribute financially — combined with his knack for drone photography — sparked what would become Indiana Sky Pics. Ron earned his FAA Part 333 exemption to fly drones commercially and began shooting real estate photos for a friend who was a realtor.
“I really enjoyed doing it,” he says. “And Indiana Sky Pics was born.”
Nearly 10 years later, what began as one man with a drone has grown into a thriving business with 10 employees and operations across three regions — Indianapolis, Muncie and now Bloomington. Yet despite that growth, the heart of Indiana Sky Pics remains right here in Franklin, the town Ron proudly calls home.
A New Perspective — From the Sky to the Studio
Indiana Sky Pics built its name on stunning aerial photography and video, capturing everything from real estate listings and business marketing to community events. But thanks to a few creative employees, the business is now expanding its lens — literally and figuratively.
“It was actually a couple of my employees, Kenna and Alex, who had the idea to expand into traditional photography,” Ron explains. “Kenna had been shooting portraiture on the side, and her photos were really good. Around that same time, we’d outgrown my home office, and I started looking for a real space.”
That search led him to a new studio on West Jefferson Street, right in the heart of Franklin’s growing downtown.
“When Angie Mardis reached out about available office space, I went to take a look — and I knew right away it was the perfect spot,” Ron says. “I always tell God that I’m a little slow and He needs to whack me over the head with a 2×4 to get my attention. I think this was His way of telling me now was the time to expand.”
The new studio space allows Indiana Sky Pics to offer family portraits, senior photos and professional headshots, alongside their well-known drone and marketing work. It’s a natural evolution for a company already dedicated to storytelling through imagery.
“The easiest way to describe what we do is that we meet with people, hear their story and figure out how to bring that to life,” Ron says. “Photos can tell a story — and when you get the right ones, they can be better than any movie.”
Growing as an Artist, Rooted in Community
Moving out of the basement and into a studio has been a milestone for Ron — both professionally and personally.
“For one, my wife got her basement back,” he jokes. “But it’s also helped me focus on growing as a photographer. I can experiment with different lighting and exposures now, and I think that helps me grow as an artist. I hope it has the same effect on my other photographers. I like to push our limits — to see what can be accomplished, what hasn’t been done before.”
Having a dedicated studio has also deepened his connection to Franklin.
“It’s hard to explain, but having an actual physical office makes me feel more a part of the community,” he says. “It’s like I’m officially part of the team now.”
That sense of community is woven into everything Ron and Ashley do. The Smith family is active in their church and their local Scout troop at the American Legion. They’ve raised their family in Franklin, watching the city evolve and thrive over the years.
“I love to see the way Franklin has changed since I moved here,” Ron says. “It’s exciting, and I hope we can be a part of it. This town is home, and it’s where we want to build something lasting.”
Balancing Two Businesses and a Vision
Running two growing businesses — the drone-focused Indiana Sky Pics and the new photography studio — comes with its share of challenges.
“The biggest challenge is keeping them separate and letting them grow at their own pace naturally,” Ron admits. “It’s easy to get excited and want to overextend, but with a good foundation, you can build anything.”
That foundation, for Ron, has always been a mix of hard work, family and faith.
“I’ve always believed that if you’re patient and intentional, good things happen when they’re meant to,” he says. “This business was never part of the plan — it was something that just happened naturally. But I think that’s what makes it so special.”
Looking Ahead — Innovation and Legacy
For Ron, photography is as much about innovation as it is about artistry.
“I see technology helping us push past things that have limited us before,” he explains. “With drones, we used to be limited to the ground. Now we can capture perspectives that were once unreachable. I love to see how technology helps us tell our stories — and I’m always looking for new ways to do that.”
That forward-thinking mindset is what keeps Indiana Sky Pics on the cutting edge of photography and visual marketing, especially for small businesses. Ron and his team help local entrepreneurs showcase their work, tell their stories and connect with customers in powerful new ways.
It’s a full-circle moment for a man who once thought “no one would pay” for his photos.
Building a Franklin Legacy
When asked what drives him most these days, Ron doesn’t hesitate.
“My goal for Indiana Sky Pics is to leave a legacy — not just for my family, but for the town we call home,” he says. “How cool would it be for people to say, ‘Oh, you’re from Franklin? Isn’t that where Indiana Sky Pics started and is headquartered? I hear it’s a great place to live.’”
He smiles, clearly proud of what he and his team have built — but even prouder of where they’ve built it.
From a drone over Morgantown skies to a bustling studio on West Jefferson Street, Ron Smith’s story is proof that sometimes the best dreams are the ones you don’t plan at all.
“I never imagined this would be my path,” he says. “But I’m grateful every day that it is.”
Visit them at indianaskypics.com or email info@indianaskypics.com.
