Drone photography and videos are on the rise for property marketing, where it is essential for most properties. In some cases, it may be the only way to safely capture the entirety of the property. Whether the property is for purchase, lease or a vacation rental, drone photography provides unique and dynamic aerial perspectives of the property. In addition to the benefits of drone photography and video, I am going to share things to consider when hiring a drone pilot, expectations for a drone photography and video shoot, and factors in good drone photography and video.

Why should you consider drone photography and videos

• Gives the target audience a bird’s eye view of the property and its surroundings.

• Showcases the entirety of the property, nearby landmarks and scenic views.

• Provides views of the property safely, that just are not achievable from the ground.

• When it comes to land sites, ground photography does not do a property justice like elevated images. In my opinion drone photography is a must for land sites.

• Research has shown drone photography helps sell a property quicker or increase bookings in the case of vacation rentals.

• There is a reason many estate agents and hosts lead with a drone shot in their photo gallery.

• A screen capture of google maps doesn’t compare to drone photography. It is most likely outdated and the image quality could be poor.

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What to consider when hiring a drone pilot

Start with the drone photographer’s experience and their professional portfolio (you can see my portfolio on my website - davehaworthphoto.ie).

Drones have become extremely popular with professionals and hobbyists alike. Surprisingly, many people do not realise that drone usage is regulated by a country’s aviation authority. In Ireland, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are responsible for drone regulations and certification. If a drone has a camera, it needs to be registered and have the registration number clearly marked on the drone. If the drone weighs more than 250g, then the operator needs to be registered and certified. Larger drones must broadcast their RF ID (like planes) and flying in urban areas requires higher levels of certification.

Unfortunately, there are some people marketing themselves commercially who haven’t been certified, nor are aware of the regulations around flying a drone. A professional drone pilot should be certified through the IAA, and carry appropriate levels of liability insurance. You should ask about that, to protect your business interests.

What to expect when you have hired a drone pilot to shoot photographs and video

• A drone pilot needs to take safety into account first and foremost. That means there may be some locations where they can’t fly or conditions that are not suitable for flight.

• Drones are limited to an altitude of 120m above the ground (in general). In some areas, it is lower than that by regulation.

• Drones can’t fly within 5km of an airport without special permission. The permission requires a drone pilot with “Specific Category” certification which is quite expensive and time consuming to acquire. “Open” certified pilots  are not able to request that permission.

• Weather is always on the drone pilots mind, as it is a major factor of flight safety. Most drones are not able to fly in the rain. Drones have wind limits, though some are more capable than others. But if it is very gusty, it will probably affect the quality of the images.

• Drones are able to fly at night with certain safety measures in place.

• Privacy concerns. Drone pilots have privacy regulations they must adhere to, and this is to your benefit as well. Privacy is a concern during flight, this includes not bothering people or animals, and a must for the final images. This is where blurring of neighbouring properties is useful.

Factors in good drone photography and video

• The most important factor is the person operating the drone. A photographer with drone skills, who specialises in property photography is going to get better results than a person who flys a drone and doesn’t have a photography background.

• Does the photographer understand what your objectives are for the drone photography/video shoot. If you have a feature you want to showcase, share that with the photographer up front. Share the property boundaries, especially if they are not clear (a map is helpful). Good communication between the photographer and client will lead to great results.

• Planning - Beyond regulations, safety, and weather, knowing your light is extremely important. In other words,  where is the sun in relation to the property. There are definitely better times of the day to capture a property at its best. If there is a top selling feature of the property, you're going to want the sun behind or to the side of the drone, not the drone looking into the sun. A good photographer can work with this situation, but it will still look best if you can plan a time with the sun in the optimum position.

• Altitude - You don’t always need to be at the upper limits in regard to height. Some of the best pictures are photographed at height just above what a ground camera would capture. A good practice is to have a mix of perspectives and altitude. Properties will have different looks as the altitude changes. The higher altitudes are great for showing landmarks and scenic views. Lower is better for showcasing the property itself.

• Finally, editing/post production. Capturing the images and video footage is just part of the process. Shooting the photography and video often takes far less time than the processing on the back end. Though the better you get it in camera, the more efficient and pleasing the final results. The magic is in the skill of the editor to bring the images and video to their full potential.

• Is the photographer/editor responsive to revisions. There are times where changes need to be made. A professional will always accommodate reasonable revision requests.