5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Starting as a Drone Photographer
Ready for Liftoff: Your Journey Begins
Drones have revolutionized the field of photography, allowing us to capture breathtaking views from heights previously unimaginable. The allure of drone photography is undeniable, but getting started can be tricky. If you're just beginning your journey, it's crucial to steer clear of common pitfalls that could ground your aspirations before they take flight.
1. Fly Legal, Fly Safe: Getting Certified
One of the biggest mistakes new drone photographers make is not getting properly certified. In the U.S., you must obtain a Part 107 Certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate a drone commercially. Flying without this certification can result in hefty fines and legal trouble. More importantly, the certification process teaches you about airspace regulations and safety, ensuring that your flights are both legal and secure.
If you sell or trade your drone images or footage in any way, it classifies as commercial use in the U.S. Even posting videos as a serious Youtuber could be construed as commercial, if you get any sort of ad revenue from such work.
Why Certification Matters
Certification isn't just a legal requirement—it's a badge of credibility. Clients are more likely to trust and hire certified drone photographers, knowing they understand the complexities of airspace regulations and safety protocols.
2. Protect Your Investment: Insurance Must-Haves
Another common oversight is neglecting to secure proper insurance. Flying a drone comes with risks, and accidents can happen even to the most experienced pilots. Having liability insurance is essential to protect yourself and your business from potential claims. Ensure your insurance covers both your drone equipment and operations. Without it, a single mishap could lead to significant financial losses.
Consider this: a drone crash could not only damage your equipment but also injure someone or cause property damage. Insurance acts as a safety net, providing peace of mind and financial protection. There have been instances where drone pilots faced lawsuits because their drones accidentally collided with buildings or people. Don’t let this happen to you—get insured before your first flight.
By securing your certification and insurance, you’re setting a solid foundation for your drone photography career. These steps not only keep you compliant with the law but also instill confidence in your clients and protect your investments.
3. Repair and Replace: A Smart Backup Plan
When you're just starting out, it's easy to overlook the importance of a good repair or replacement plan for your drone. Many beginners think they won't crash, but the reality is that crashes are more common than you'd expect. Most drone manufacturers offer affordable repair or replacement plans that can save you a lot of headaches and money in the long run.
Crashes can happen due to various reasons—unexpected wind gusts, birds, drone settings, or simple pilot error. A repair plan ensures that a single mishap doesn't ground you for weeks or months. It's a small investment that pays off when you need it most.
4. Photography Fundamentals: Building a Solid Foundation
Drone photography isn't just about flying; it's also about capturing stunning images. If you don’t have a background in photography or cinematography, it's worth learning the basics with a handheld camera first. Understanding concepts like composition, lighting, and exposure will significantly improve the quality of your drone shots.
Before you start flying your drone, practice with a regular camera to get a feel for different photographic techniques. These skills will translate directly to your aerial shots, making them stand out. Remember, the drone is just a tool—the artistry comes from your eye for detail and your understanding of photography.
5. Smooth Moves: Perfecting Your Flight Techniques
Nothing screams amateur more than jerky drone footage. Smooth, steady movements are key to producing professional-looking videos. When flying, aim for slow and deliberate motions to create a polished final product.
Top Tips for Smooth Flying:
Practice Patience: Take your time with each shot. Rushing leads to mistakes and shaky footage.
Use Gentle Controls: Small, gradual inputs on the control sticks help maintain a steady flight.
Plan Your Shots: Know what you want to capture before you take off. This reduces the need for abrupt movements.
Hover and Pan: Hovering in place and slowly panning the camera can create beautiful, sweeping shots.
Avoid Sudden Changes: Rapid movements can disorient your viewers and ruin your footage.
Fly in Calm Conditions: Wind can make your drone harder to control. Choose calm days for smoother flights.
Adjust Your Settings: Adjust your drones default settings for the speed of the various controls. For example, on a DJI drone, dial down cinematic and normal mode controls to be quite a bit slower than the default settings. This makes smooth flying MUCH easier.
Mastering these techniques will set your work apart and impress your clients. The smoother your footage, the more professional it looks, which can lead to more opportunities and a stronger portfolio.
Bonus Tips for Upping Your Drone Game:
6 . Capturing the Perfect Shot: Bracketing Basics
One of the features that can significantly enhance your drone still photography is bracketing. This technique involves taking several shots of the same scene at different exposures. By doing this, you give yourself multiple options to choose from later, ensuring you capture the best possible image.
Using bracketing allows you to handle challenging lighting conditions more effectively. It’s especially useful during sunrise or sunset when the light can be tricky. Set your drone to take a series of bracketed shots and choose the best one during post-processing. This simple trick can elevate the quality of your work and make your photos stand out.
7. Lessons from the Sky: Practical Field Tips
Seasoned drone photographers have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share. Learning from their stories can help you avoid common pitfalls and improve your skills more quickly. Here are a few practical tips gathered from experts in the field:
Always check the weather before flying.
Keep spare batteries and propellers handy.
Use a pre-flight checklist to ensure everything is in order.
Practice flying in open areas before moving to more complex environments.
Continuously review and critique your footage to identify areas for improvement.
As Ansel Adams once said, "You don’t take a photograph, you make it." This mindset is crucial for drone photographers, as it emphasizes the importance of preparation and intentionality in every shot.
8. Showcasing Your Work: Building a Portfolio
A strong portfolio is your best marketing tool. It showcases your skills and demonstrates your ability to capture stunning images. When building your portfolio, focus on quality over quantity. Include a variety of shots that highlight different aspects of your work, such as landscapes, architectural details, and dynamic aerial views.
Consider creating an online portfolio that’s easy to navigate and visually appealing. Use high-resolution images and organize them into categories. A well-crafted portfolio not only attracts clients but also sets you apart from the competition.
9. Double Trouble: Offer Video and Photography
Many clients are looking for aerial videos in addition to photography. While you’re in the sky, why not provide both services to them? In this way, you increase your potential offerings and potential income.
When you’re starting out, video might seem a little more daunting, since it requires more adept skill maneuvering your drone. Practice and keep practicing with smooth maneuvers, and adjust your flight control settings to assist with slower movements; the settings make a world of difference.
Also, keep in mind that you only need a few seconds of smooth maneuvering most of the time, because when it comes to video editing, you’ll end up chopping up your footage into only the best short moments to keep the final video engaging.
Learn the craft of basic video editing, including adding music and audio, using professional software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Da Vinci Resolve, or similar. Even with basic editing skills, you’ll be head and shoulders above the rest!
Keep Soaring: Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Embarking on a journey as a drone photographer is both exciting and challenging. By avoiding common mistakes and continuously honing your skills, you set yourself up for success. Remember to stay patient, practice regularly, and keep learning from your experiences and those of others.
Your path to becoming a skilled drone photographer is just beginning. Embrace the learning curve, celebrate your progress, and keep pushing the boundaries of what you can achieve. Happy flying!
Key Takeaways
Get Certified: Ensure you have your Part 107 Certification to legally and safely operate a drone for commercial purposes.
Secure Insurance: Protect yourself and your equipment with liability insurance that covers drone operations.
Invest in Repair Plans: Purchase a manufacturer repair or replacement plan to save on costs from inevitable crashes.
Learn Photography Basics: Build a solid foundation in photography and cinematography to improve your drone shots.
Fly Smoothly: Practice slow, steady movements to produce professional-looking footage.
Use Bracketing: Utilize the bracketing feature on your drone to capture multiple exposures and achieve the best possible shot.
Prepare Thoroughly: Always check weather conditions, keep spare parts handy, and use a pre-flight checklist.
Build a Strong Portfolio: Showcase a variety of high-quality images in an organized, visually appealing online portfolio.