There is an aching gap between the reality of the comparative risks to aerial camera crew and how it is percieved by media managers and even the helicopter industry itself.
For example, there is a glossy online promotional saftey poster showing a R44 very low over the water, doors off, shooting a boat, the image taken by a photographer in the back seat. Its a dynamic image. Not sure if the R44 was fitted with floats.
So we have a stills photographer in the back and cameraman in the front seat with a large camera on his shoulder. The cameraman is photographed in jeans and T shirt with a life vest. He is without helmet or flight suit. The shoulder seat belt is ineffective as he has rotated his torso to shoot out the door.
On a risk matrix there is a "severe consequence" if either the camera slipped off the shoulder (due to the life vest ) or the fouling flight controls in changing battery ect.
The text on the poster states "Work safe, Fly safe, Fly xxxxx"
Mickjoebill