Homes listed with aerial shots are more likely to sell, making drone photography crucial for successful real estate agents. Drones offer flexible, affordable aerial perspectives previously only possible from helicopters.
What is Real Estate Drone Photography?
A new way of capturing aerial photos and fly-through videos of properties using a small camera-equipped unmanned aircraft, usable across the marketing process.
Benefits of Using Drones for Real Estate Photography
Drone use remains relatively novel, giving listings a competitive edge with additional, less-obvious benefits.
1. Show The Whole Property
Drones reveal entire grounds, perimeters, gardens and backyards, valuable for larger estates. They also enable interior video tours, an emerging trend.
2. Show The Bigger Context
Unlike generic maps, drones reveal surrounding roads, foliage and neighborhood detail so buyers grasp the property’s context.
3. Are More Affordable Than A Helicopter
Helicopters run $300–500/hour plus a $300–600 operator fee, while drone shoots cost $300–500 per property or $300–3,000 to own outright.
4. Are More Flexible Than A Helicopter
Drones fly much closer, capture intimate shots and even interior fly-throughs, offering varied angles unreachable from a helicopter.
Tips for Taking Real Estate Drone Photos
Pick A Nice Day
Sunny mornings or afternoons give the best light; avoid midday and cloudy weather.
Make the Property Presentable
Clean grounds and roof before the shoot; if messy areas remain, Photoshop or 3D recreation can fix them.
Photograph the Area
Capture nearby amenities like parks, cafés, lakes or shopping centers — location is a major purchasing driver.
Focus on Standout Features
Emphasize attractive features like large backyards or patio Jacuzzis alongside full-house coverage.
Keep With the Basics
Maintain composition, focus and proper exposure — don’t let drone operation distract from photographic fundamentals.
Be Trigger Happy
Take lots of photos; sifting through many is better than reshooting.
Don’t Let Traffic Spoil the Shoot
Especially relevant for commercial real estate — check rush-hour times, or shoot at dawn/night.
Pack the Right Kit
Bring extra batteries, memory cards and the drone itself.
Mix it Up
Experiment with drone modes like “follow me” to add creative variety to each shoot.
Edit Post Shot
Post-production (e.g. Photoshop) elevates images and expresses style — worth studying.
Benefits of Using Drones Footage With 3D Renderings For Future Developments
Developers can blend drone footage with architectural visualization for marketing, investor pitches and planning permission. Aerial drone shots can give renderings a wow-factor; capturing build progress also serves marketing for site/social media.
Options You Have When It Comes to Getting Real Estate Drone Photos
1. Get a License and Do It Yourself
Drone work requires a license — in the US, the FAA Part 107 written test. Specialist schools can help you prepare.
2. Hire a Professional or Company
Hiring a licensed professional saves study time and guarantees quality if you need photos quickly — no license study, pro-grade expertise, equipment insurance and reduced mistakes.
3. Recommended Companies by City
For Vancouver-area projects, we recommend Fyfe Photography for high-quality images and a smooth process.
What Is The Best Drone For Real Estate Photography? Factors to Consider
Before choosing, consider camera quality, battery, flight modes, payload, range and price.
Camera Quality
Look at sensor size, resolution, lens and video; aim for at least 12MP and 4K video, with high-end models hitting 60fps for slow-motion.
Battery Life
Residential shoots run a couple of hours; commercial shoots longer. Carry spare batteries — most swap in seconds.
Flight Modes
”Follow Me,” “Point of Interest,” “Waypoints” and “Tripod” modes enable creative or steady shots like overhead walk-throughs.
Payload Options
Some drones accept different cameras — research first if you want to attach your own gear.
Range
~500m suffices for most residential work; opt for longer range for ranches, large commercial sites or farms.
Price
Drones span hundreds to thousands. Beginners should start cheap; serious shooters should invest upfront but insure against crashes.
Best Drone for Real Estate Photography in 2022
Best Budget Drones
If you’re just getting started in real estate drone photography or on a tight budget, these are the drones for you.
1. DJI Mini SE – $239
The DJI Mini SE is one of the newest drones on the market from industry-leading drone manufacturer DJI. It’s a great little drone perfect for beginner real estate photography. It has a 12MP camera and can shoot in photo and video modes.
2. DJI Mini 2 – $291
The DJI Mini 2 is the next step up from DJI’s Mini SE drone and is a great option with some additional features. It’s still one of the lower models, though, so it’s excellent for beginners.
3. DJI Mini 3 Pro – $759
This is the most expensive of DJI’s Mini drones, but it’s got all the features a beginner would ever need.
Best Mid-Range Drones
If you have a bit more money to spend or are looking for a drone with a few more widgets, check out these drones.
1. Autel Robotics Evo – $869
This is where the price starts to increase, but this drone packs a punch. The first drone on our list is not from the drone giants DJI.
2. DJI Air 2S – $1649
This drone packs a punch and is reasonably priced to get into the higher models for DJI.
3. DJI Phantom 4 V2.0 – $1799
The Phantom series from DJI are some of the most popular drones on the market, and for a good reason. The Phantom is a top pick for professional drone photographers.
Best Professional Drones
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-range drone with all the bells and whistles, these are the best drones on the market for professional photographers.
1. DJI Mavric Air 2 – $2399
The DJI Mavric Air 2 is one of DJI’s newest drones, and it’s a great mid-range option. It has a 48MP camera that can shoot in photo and video modes.
2. DJI Inspire 2 – $3149
This is where the pros start to be separated from the pack. Packed with almost every feature you could imagine on a drone, the DJI Inspire does not disappoint.
3. YUNEEC Typhoon Hexacopter – $2599
Capable of a 360-degree shooting angle, this drone is a top pick for professionals and only the second drone to make it out of our list that isn’t from DJI.
Conclusion – Do I Need Drone Real Estate Photography?
Properties sell faster with drone photography. NoTriangle Studio combines drone photos with architectural visualization — contact us to start a project.
