Hmm, there are expedited courses in Florida 3-5K about 4 weeks, you need to have passed written exam before you go.
It will get you private pilot's license SEL (single engine land).
Most aerial photography is done from Cessna 172RG, that is the metropolitan areas of U.S. Google maps as you see.
Don't say you not interested in flying, talking from the perspective of the airline passenger. Your friend is right and wrong at the same time. Passion definition also might change your perspective. Do you want the surgeon that is passionate about his job to operate on you? Probably not. Professional and involved in what they do, that kind of passion pilots have. It is something you acquire over time as you learn, make mistakes and get over them. I was training a student who became a private pilot at the age of 65, he's been flying for 5 years now and saying that "new horizons opened for me and I got married because of that".
Do I think that most people are qualified to be pilots? No, it requires self discipline and certain amount of dedication. Not everybody are capable of that. But if you are lucky enough to become one, besides being able to fly, you will be able to make a lot of new friends, which is not easy as time comes by.
My advice would to give it a try with introductory lesson, talk with your flight instructor and see it for yourself.
Since you already like the aerial photography, you might as well enjoy the front row, that's what flying is.
