There are many uses for drone photography, from geographical mapping to inspecting your property for any potential maintenance issues to selling a piece of property or a luxury item. The real estate market in particular has jumped at the chance to incorporate aerial photographs into their marketing strategies. Nothing sells a home better than being able to see it within its surroundings so a potential buyer can get a better idea of what the property contains and how it is situated in relation to its neighbors.
As effective as it can be, aerial photography can come at a steep price, which means you need to be very careful when choosing a drone photographer for your project. You want to make sure that you are getting the best possible return on your investment so you need to look closely at any photographer you are considering to make sure that they can provide the services you require. With that in mind, there are a few specific points to look for when considering any drone photographer.
1. Certification – They may look like overgrown toys, but drones are serious flying machines and operating one requires proper qualifications. Chief among these is an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. This ensures that the photographer has the necessary knowledge and training to operate a UAV, or drone, commercially and understands and follows all of the applicable laws and regulations.
2. Insurance – Most drone photographers will have made a considerable investment in their equipment and therefore should carry some kind of liability insurance to protect it. A top level professional will also want to carry some level of protection for their clients, including liability insurance that covers both the quality of their work and the safety of people and property where they will be working.
Specifically, there are insurance policies that cover the hull, payload and ground equipment, which protect against damage to the drone itself, anything that it may be carrying or any equipment used on the ground to operate it. A non-owned policy provides protection from liability if they don’t personally own the drone they are using for a project. Finally, personal liability protects against libel, slander, violation of privacy and copyright infringement,
You should always be sure to ask a drone photographer what specific insurance coverage they have, as it is a good indicator of how serious they are about providing for their own safety as well as their customers and it will protect you so that you aren’t held responsible for any accidents that may occur during the shoot.
3. Type of photography required – Before hiring a drone photographer you need to think carefully about exactly what kind of photography you’ll require. Do you need still photos or video or both? Do you need landscapes or buildings photographed or do you require action photography, such as coverage of sporting events? Not every drone photographer will necessarily be able to handle every type of project so you want to be sure that the photographer you hire can adequately meet your needs.
4. Type of equipment used – As important as a drone photographer’s qualifications is the type of equipment that he/she uses. There are a number of drones on the market today and not every drone has the same capabilities. Just because a photographer may be using the most expensive model available, that doesn’t mean that you’ll necessarily be getting the best quality results. For example, some drones are better suited for shooting video than others so if you’ll need video footage make sure the photographer you hire has the equipment to handle it.
5. Samples of work – One of the best ways to judge whether a drone photographer is right for your project is by studying samples of their work. Any good professional photographer will have a number of examples for you to look at, including both still photos and video. Pay careful attention to the quality of the work as well as the post-production that it entails. Remember that still photography and videography are two different disciplines that require very different skill sets, so make sure that if you need video footage the photographer you hire has the ability to produce it.
6. Price – Yes, just like any product or service you buy, cost is an important part of the equation. Aerial photography can be quite costly and you’ll need to keep your budget in mind when you consider hiring a photographer. Drone photography and videography consists of two main phases, production and post-production and those costs can add up quickly. When you’re considering a photographer be sure to ask whether they charge a flat fee for both phases or charge separately for each and don’t forget to ask about turnaround time…another extremely important factor that can add to your budget.
Having good quality professional aerial photos or video footage can be extremely helpful whether you’re showcasing real estate or land for development or selling a luxury yacht. While this is a relatively new addition to the world of marketing, more and more businesses are beginning to appreciate the advantages of adding aerial photography to their marketing strategy. It’s an asset that can come at a significant cost, though, which is why you can’t be too careful when it comes to choosing a drone photographer.
JR Resolutions understands that, which is why we go the extra mile to provide our customers with the best possible results at a price they can afford. Whether you need still photos or video footage, we can produce it all and we’ll work with you to make sure you get exactly the results you want within just a few days of production time. You want the best for your business, so choose a drone photographer you can trust.
