How to Use a Drone for Real Estate Photography

Drones have become an indispensable asset for real estate photography with their ability to soar to new heights and capture breathtaking aerial photos and videos. These stunning visuals not only showcase a property’s attributes from unique perspectives, but they have also become a key factor in attracting potential buyers and standing out in a crowded market.

Whether you're a real estate agent or an aspiring photographer seeking to enhance a property’s presentation, it is essential to learn how to use a drone for real estate photography. We will explore the tips and techniques to master this game-changing technology to help ensure that your property listings leave lasting impressions on potential buyers.

It is important to embrace drone technology if realtors want to thrive in the modern real estate landscape. When choosing the best drone for real estate, several factors come into play, including:

• Camera quality. Camera drones with higher resolutions are capable of capturing sharp and detailed images and videos. Ideally, the best drones for real estate aerial photography should offer at least 12 megapixels for photos and shoot video in 4K resolution.
• Flight time. Longer flight times allow you to cover more properties and attain additional footage in a single session. Drones with flight times of 30 minutes or more on a single battery charge are ideal.
• Obstacle avoidance and GPS. Special sensors help prevent collisions when the drone is in the air while built-in GPS camera drones provide accurate positioning and smoother flights.
• Range and connectivity. A longer range allows you to explore larger properties and take shots from greater distances while a stable connection with the controller provides live viewing and control.
• Stability. Drone stability helps maintain a steady, smooth position during flight that reduces the impact of drone movement on images and videos.

Investing in a reliable drone with many features will likely yield better results and show off properties in the most appealing way possible.

Stock up on extra drone batteries and scout a property’s location in advance to familiarize yourself with potential takeoff and landing areas, obstacles and any other hazards that could affect your flight. Checking the weather forecast is also important to avoid any conditions that might compromise the image quality or your own safety. The best drone photos for real estate are often taken on sunny days in either the early morning or late afternoon.

Creating a plan to showcase a property’s best features should be considered when figuring out a flightpath. This helps save time and lets you utilize the battery life better. And, if you want to get the best shots possible, start studying up on the top ten tips for taking great photos.

Around 90% of potential homeowners search the web and look at online listings.See Disclosure ¹ Real estate drone footage helps create a lasting impression that will hopefully attract more potential buyers. Other benefits of using a drone for real estate marketing include:

• Unmatched aerial perspective. Aerial shots capture the property in its entirety, showing the landscape, neighborhood and nearby amenities to give people a better sense of the location and surroundings.
• Time and cost efficiency. Realtors are able to capture multiple images and videos in a short period of time, which reduces costs compared to traditional photography methods.
• Enhanced property inspections. Hard-to-reach or unsafe areas can be accessed with a drone during property inspections to help identify potential issues like roof damage or structural problems.
• Accurate property size. Images that display a clear sense of a property’s size and layout makes it easier for potential buyers to visualize themselves living in the space.

Additionally, utilizing drone technology helps demonstrate a realtor’s commitment to adopting innovative and modern practices. Clients appreciate the extra effort put in to showcase their homes and yards in the best possible light.

In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires registration for all drones weighing between .55 and 55 pounds. However, if you plan to use the drone for commercial purposes, such as real estate photography, then you will also need a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA.See Disclosure ² The test for obtaining the certificate is a written exam that assesses your knowledge of various aviation-related topics, including:

• Airspace classifications
• Drone regulations
• Weather patterns and elemental obstacles
• Operating rules
• Safety procedures

Specific requirements can change over time, so it is recommended to doublecheck the latest information from the FAA as well as the local regulations in your area.

You don’t have to be a photography expert to be a real estate drone photographer. Armed with the right knowledge, equipment and willingness to learn, real estate agents can capture breathtaking aerial shots that add significant value to property listings. From looking into how to choose the best drone for photography and understanding regulations to mastering flight techniques to get the perfect shot, you can now comfortably kickstart your journey into real estate drone photography.

Embrace these tips and techniques, put them into practice and elevate your real estate photography skills to new heights and gain a competitive edge in the market.

1. Alaimo, Dan. “87% Of Shoppers Now Begin Product Searches Online.” Industry Dive, Informa. August 15, 2018. https://www.retaildive.com/news/87-of-shoppers-now-begin-product-searches-online/530139/.

2. Fisher, Jim. “Drone Regulations: What You Need to Know.” PC Magazine, Ziff Davis, LLC. December 15, 2022. https://www.pcmag.com/news/drone-regulations-what-you-need-to-know.