The rise of drones has opened up new possibilities for businesses, industries and marketing agencies. From real estate to travel, hotels and restaurants have all found new ways to use aerial photography to their advantage. And while some businesses may be wary of the implications and regulations involved with drones, the benefits are undeniable. Drones give businesses a whole new perspective on their properties, products and services. They’re also an affordable investment in a marketing tool that can pay off almost immediately. Whether you’re just getting started or looking for ways to improve your drone video shoots, here are the best ideas from experienced pros who know exactly what it takes to shoot effective drone videos.

Research the location

Before you even think about picking up a drone, you’ll want to do a thorough research of the location you plan to shoot. When shooting real estate drone videos, a property’s proximity to nearby businesses and neighbors can greatly affect your ability to shoot. If the property is close to a residential neighborhood, you’ll want to consider the noise, potential privacy issues and FAA regulations on drone use near people and buildings. When shooting hotels, restaurants or other businesses, you’ll want to research the hours that property is in use and when it’s closed. This will help you avoid unnecessary interruptions, as well as any noise complaints from neighbors.

Hire a professional drone pilot

Depending on the scope of your drone video shoot, you may want to hire a commercial drone pilot. Their skill set, licensing and knowledge can make the difference between a successful shoot and an FAA violation. A drone pilot who specializes in videography will have the experience and skill necessary to make sure your drone video is shot safely and with as few interruptions as possible. Hiring a professional drone pilot will also help you avoid fines and potential legal issues related to operating a drone without proper licensing or FAA clearance.

Try to incorporate movement in your shot

One of the biggest mistakes new drone videographers make is shooting only stationary shots. While a stationary shot may be a great B-roll or cutaway shot, it won’t resonate with your audience the way a moving shot will. Dron videographers who want to create more visually appealing shots should incorporate as much movement as possible. This can be done by moving your drone both vertically and horizontally. Expert drone videographers often use a mix of both types of shots to create visually appealing videos.

Make sure you have written permission to shoot

If you’re shooting at a location that isn’t your own, you’ll want to make sure you have written permission to shoot. This can be as simple as asking the property owner if you can shoot on the grounds. While permission won’t prevent you from being fined or facing legal action if you are in violation of FAA regulations, it will go a long way toward protecting your business from liability. If you’re shooting a client’s property and they give you permission to shoot but don’t sign a release, you’ll want to make sure you have written permission anyway. Your client signing a release won’t protect you from any potential legal issues if you violate FAA regulations.

Plan your shots beforehand, and don’t deviate from that plan

While spontaneity has its place in the world of video, drone videographers who want their shoots to go smoothly should plan their shots ahead of time. When planning your shots, consider the effect you want to achieve, your target audience and the location of your shoot. You may also want to consider B-roll shots and cutaway shots to round out your video and enhance its impact.

Try to incorporate B-roll and cutaway shots

While we’ve talked about how important it is to have a moving shot, it’s also important to have B-roll and cutaway shots to break things up and make your video more visually interesting. B-roll is supplementary footage that is often used to enhance a shot or give the editor some freedom when piecing together a final video. Cutaway shots are transitions between scenes or shots. B-roll and cutaway shots are most common in documentaries, but they’re also used in other types of video, including drone videos. B-roll and cutaway shots can be as simple as panning shots of the landscape behind your subject to add visual interest to your videos. Cutaway shots are often used to transition from one subject to another or to transition from a wide shot to a close-up.

Use the best drone for your shoot

The best drone for you will depend on your circumstances, budget and experience level. Drones are available in a variety of price points and with different features. For example, beginner drone pilots may want to start with a more affordable option like a toy drone. While these aren’t the best option for professional videography, they can give you a basic understanding of drone operation and how to frame shots. To find the best drone for your needs, consider your budget, experience level and the type of shoot you plan to conduct. Budget is obviously a factor, but you may also want to consider the type of drone you want to use. If you want to use your drone for real estate shoots, you’ll want to choose a drone that has a high-quality camera.

Pick a time of day with little or no wind

When picking a time of day for your shoot, you’ll want to think about the elements. Strong winds can cause problems for drone pilots, especially beginners. Pick a time of day with little or no wind to make sure your video shoot goes as smoothly as possible. You’ll also want to avoid picking a time of day with extreme weather that could disrupt your video shoot. You’ll also want to pick a time of day with little or no sunlight. Drone pilots often like to shoot before sunrise or after sunset to avoid any potential issues with shadows.

Use the right camera settings

When setting up your camera, you’ll want to consider the type of footage you want to capture and the best camera settings for that. Drone videographers can capture both high-definition video and still images. Depending on the type of video you want to create and the camera settings you use, you can create stunning video and/or still shots. Determine what camera settings you want to use before you start shooting your video. This will help you avoid fumbling with your camera on the fly and wasting time and energy.

Find the right location to launch and land

Depending on the type of drone you use, you may need to find the right location to launch and land your drone. Drone pilots who use larger unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or higher-end drones may need to find a location that’s away from people. You may even need to get FAA clearance before you launch your drone. If you use a smaller drone that doesn’t pose a threat to people or property, you may be able to launch and land it just about anywhere.

Use the right frequency for your shoot

Depending on your frequency and what you’re shooting, you may need to make sure you’re not interfering with other nearby businesses or the general public. For example, you may want to avoid flying your drone near airports or businesses that fly commercial aircraft. You may also want to avoid flying your drone on the same frequency as other businesses that rely on short-range frequencies like first responders and others. If you plan on flying your drone near other businesses, you’ll want to check the frequency you’re currently using and make sure it doesn’t overlap with nearby businesses.

Avoid flying in bad weather

Drone pilots should avoid flying their drones in poor weather. Flying in bad weather can cause problems for both drone pilots and their aircraft. You may also run the risk of violating FAA regulations if you fly in bad weather. While the FAA doesn’t have set regulations for flying in poor weather conditions, there are guidelines for flying in bad weather. You’ll want to avoid flying in heavy fog, thunderstorms and other conditions that can disrupt your video shoot.

Stay away from other aircraft

When flying your drone, you don’t want to fly too close to other aircraft. While there are no FAA-mandated minimum distances pilots must maintain from other aircraft, it’s best to err on the side of caution. If you want to fly your drone but aren’t

Robert Haller

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