Aerial and drone photography: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What aerial and drone photography is

A pilot captures photos from above using a drone for property, events and landscapes, following flight safety and airspace rules. Clients book aerial work for real estate, construction progress, events and scenic locations when a view from above adds information a ground photo cannot.

Signs you need it

  • You need a view of a large property, a roof, a yard or a site that a ground photo cannot show
  • You are documenting construction progress or a site from above
  • You want an aerial view of an event, a venue or a scenic location
  • You need a clear picture of the layout of a property for a listing
  • You want a photo that shows the surroundings and the setting of a place
  • You need the photos taken safely with the airspace and privacy rules followed

What the pro does

  • Asks about the location, the purpose of the photos and any restricted areas nearby
  • Checks the airspace, the weather and the flight rules before the flight
  • Confirms permission for the flight with the property owner and any required approvals
  • Sets up the drone, checks the batteries and runs a pre-flight inspection
  • Flies the planned route and captures the agreed shots, keeping the drone in sight
  • Edits the photos and delivers the final files in the formats you need

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of flight locations and the time needed in the air
  • Whether the flight needs special airspace approvals or extra planning
  • Size of the area to be covered and the number of shots
  • Whether the job includes video, still photos or both
  • Travel distance and the time needed to reach the site
  • Editing level and number of final images delivered
  • Whether the pilot needs a spotter or a second person on the ground

What a written quote should spell out

  • Flight locations, the planned route and the number of shots
  • Who arranges permissions, approvals and the property owner's consent
  • Weather plan and the rescheduling policy for a wind or rain delay
  • Video, still and editing deliverables, with file formats
  • Insurance that covers the drone flights and the property
  • What happens if the flight cannot happen because of airspace rules or weather

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you hold the drone pilot certificate or approval that commercial flights require here?
  • What is your insurance for drone flights, and does it cover my property?
  • How do you check the airspace and get any approvals before the flight?
  • Can I see aerial photos from a similar site or property?
  • What is your weather plan, and how do you decide to cancel a flight?
  • How do you protect the privacy of neighbors during the flight?
  • How many photos will I get, and how soon will they be delivered?

Red flags

  • They cannot show a drone pilot certificate or say what aviation rules they follow
  • They fly over people, crowds or restricted areas without a plan
  • They do not check the airspace or the weather before a flight
  • They have no insurance that covers drone flights
  • They promise the same shots in any weather with no backup plan

What you can do yourself

Do not fly a drone for a paid job without the certificates and the approvals the rules require. You can prepare by clearing the area you want shot, choosing the time of day for the light and telling neighbors about the flight if the property owner agrees. Hire a certified drone pilot for the flight, the airspace checks and the permissions, since flight rules and safety are complex.

Licenses and permits

Commercial drone flights often fall under national aviation rules, which in many places require a remote pilot certificate for paid work. Ask the pilot to show the certificate and check any local rules for flights over property or events with your state or local licensing agency.

Aerial and drone photography questions

Does an aerial photographer need a license?

For paid drone work, a pilot certificate or approval from the aviation authority is often required. Ask the pilot to show it and check local rules for the flight site.

Can a drone fly over my neighbors' yards?

Flying over other people's property has privacy and safety limits. Ask the pilot how they plan the route and whether they need the neighbors' consent.

What affects whether a flight can happen?

Airspace rules, weather, wind, nearby restrictions and the site's own rules. Ask the pilot to check these before you book.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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