11 Expert Tips for Jaw-Dropping Real Estate Drone Photography

Are your property listings blending in with the crowd and you don’t know what to do?

Real estate drone photography is revolutionizing the industry, offering a unique perspective that traditional photos can’t match. 

With the right real estate drone photography tips, you can create stunning visuals that showcase properties in their best light, attracting more clients and closing deals faster. 

Ready to elevate your real estate photography game? These 11 expert tips will help you capture jaw-dropping drone photos that will leave your clients in awe.

1. Scout Like a Pro – Know Your Location Inside Out

Before launching your drone for that perfect aerial shot, smart real estate photographers know the importance of thorough ground-level scouting. This is what I call a pre-flight walk around of the property. 

Just do a walk around

Walking the property before you fly is crucial. This on-foot exploration gives you a feel for the layout and flow of the space. You’ll spot things that might not be obvious from the air, helping you plan your aerial composition techniques more effectively. You really don’t want to hit powerlines, trees, or nearby houses because that could be an expensive accident. 

Keep your eyes sharp

As you explore, keep an eye out for unique property features to highlight. Maybe there’s a beautifully landscaped garden, a stunning pool, or an impressive architectural detail that deserves special attention. 

These standout elements can become focal points in your aerial property survey, adding depth to your real estate marketing with your drone.

How will you tell the story?

Finally, use your ground-level insights to plan shots that tell the property’s story. Think about how you’ll showcase the home’s best angles and capture its relationship to the surrounding area. This pre-planning ensures your aerial real estate photography will create a compelling narrative for potential buyers.

2. Timing is Everything – Capture the Golden Hour

Listen, if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years of drone videos of fancy houses, it’s this – use natural light whenever you can.

Now, you might hear folks raving about that early morning light, but it’s not as important as you might think it is. From my experience, the sun’s glare in the AM can be a real pain. I’ve found that waiting until mid-morning to late afternoon usually gives me better results.

My bottom line is that any time you can work with natural light, do it.

But if there is sun and it’s extremely bright, would that ruin my drone videos and photos? My simple answer to this is yes, but it can be fixed by editing and changing your drone camera settings. If you’re looking to buy a drone for real estate photography, I recommend checking out my guide on the best drones for real estate photography. My guide highlights the best drones for low-light conditions, bright lighting, and top-notch camera quality.

Now, let’s talk about those times when the lighting is less than ideal. We’ve all been there – you show up to a shoot and the sky decides to throw some clouds in, maybe even very dark clouds. But…There are ways to work around it.

First off, modern-day drones are pretty amazing. They’ve got these low light settings that can capture stuff I wouldn’t have dreamed of back when I started. If you’re shooting outdoors or indoors and the natural light is not there, try opening all the curtains and turning on every light in the house. 

Remember, at the end of the day, it’s all about showcasing the property in its best light. So don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment a bit. 

3. Composition – Frame Your Shots Easily

Framing and composition are so important to your real estate marketing business.

Leading lines is a secret skill I’ve learned to guide viewers through your image. What does this mean exactly?

Roads, fences, or even a line of trees can draw the eye exactly where you want it to go. I was taking a drone video of a $1.9 million property and the driveway leading to the ranchhouse was long and curvy. So I started my video on the main road and I flew a straight path a half mile to the house. The listing agent was smiling and in awe of the amazing but simple shot I took.   

What about in-depth aerial shots?

Creating depth in aerial shots can be tricky, but it’s worth the effort. Try including objects in the foreground, midground, and background. Varying your altitude can help too. Once, while shooting a cabin in the hills, I captured the cabin, a nearby river, and the distant hills nearby all in one shot.

Now sometimes this is not always the case. You might have to take separate photos of each feature landscape and collage them together. But in my opinion, in-depth aerial shots can be done flawlessly with most properties. I will cover this topic in a separate article later.   

4. Heights and Angles – Mix It Up for Maximum Impact

If I were to tell you that height and angles matter in creating stunning aerial photos and videos, you’d understand how crucial they are in capturing unique perspectives that truly stand out. Experimenting with different heights and angles allows you to showcase properties in ways that traditional photography simply can’t match.

Take multiple shots – it can’t hurt

If you’re like me, taking lots of photos and videos of the house is just part of the job. The more you take, the better chance you have of getting that perfect one. I see so many real estate listings where a drone is used and it just doesn’t catch that “wow” effect. 

Does height or altitude matter?

People often ask me if height matters! I’m not talking about relationships here. The simple answer to this is yes. If you fly too high, it can cause the house to look tiny. Flying too low, you miss the surroundings and maybe even that important feature of the property. I found that starting at the roof level and slowly going up works best. You’ll see when it clicks.

Angles in real estate photography

Getting that right angle can be hard, but not impossible.

If you’re a perfectionist when it comes to taking photos or videos, try to set that aside. Striving for perfection can interfere with your creativity and make it harder to capture unique shots. In my experience, perfectionism can be limiting, so instead of aiming for perfection, focus on thinking outside the box.

Here’s a drone photography tip that I do almost every time. Instead of flying directly over a property, try flying diagonally across it. This technique adds a dynamic angle to your shots, making your footage more engaging and visually appealing. It shows depth and makes everything look bigger. Also, try shooting from corners. It’s amazing how different a house can look from various sides. 

Remember, every property is different. What works for one might not work for another. So play around, and try new things. That’s how you’ll get those photos that make people stop and stare.

5. Show Off the Surrounding – it sells itself

When I first started taking drone shots for real estate, I focused only on the house and not the area around the house. The area around the property is just as important because that is what potential buyers want to see. It’s what makes a house a home.

Here’s a tip – fly your drone a bit higher to catch that wider view. This lets you catch nearby parks, shops, schools, rivers, lakes, and roads. But don’t go too far. You want people to see these spots without losing sight of the main property. This is something that I see way too often and it really can be done differently. 

I once shot a house near a train station. Instead of ignoring it, I made sure to include it in some shots. Buyers love easy transport options. The same goes for popular cafes or beaches. Show them off!

Finding the right balance is key. I usually aim for 70% property, and 30% surroundings in my photos. This ratio works well to show off the house and its location. If you are a photographer, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Try different angles. A side view might catch a lovely park. A higher shot could show how close the shops are. Play around and see what works best.

Remember, you’re not just selling a house. You’re selling a lifestyle. Show people why they’d want to live there. What’s special about the area? Capture that in your shots.

And don’t forget to change it up. Take some close-ups of the house, then some wider shots of the neighborhood. This gives a full picture of what is offered to the buyers.

In the end, great drone photos tell a story. They show not just a beautiful house, but a great place to live. That’s what sells a property.

6. Master Your Gear – Know Your Drone Inside Out

In my opinion, understanding your drone and the gear you have is really important for real estate photography. I’ve made plenty of mistakes that taught me this lesson that I’m about to share.

Getting the right settings makes a big difference. I shoot RAW at f/2.8, with 1/60s shutter for video and 1/200s for photos. This helps me fix things up later if needed. 

Smart batteries for drones are worth buying. Usually, the DJI brand has these batteries for an additional price for your drone. I always bring at least three, giving me 90+ minutes of flight time. I keep a portable charger and my drone’s charging hub in the car. This setup has saved me many times when shoots ran long.

If you don’t have a portable charger, a portable outlet with an inverter will work just as well. You can plug your drone charger into the portable outlet, allowing you to keep your drone batteries charged. In my experience, this setup lets you fly for nearly three hours by continuously swapping and charging the batteries as they run out.

Weather matters a lot. I check forecasts all the time now. Calm days are best, but a light wind won’t ruin your work. Just be ready to adjust for any drift. I will cover more on the weather later down this list. Modern-day drones like the DJI brand and Autel Robotics have stabilization built right into the drone. 

Knowing your drone well beats having fancy add-ons. Understanding how your drone works will help you with your editing and save money and time. 

7. Post-Processing – Shoot in RAW

RAW is a file format that captures all image data recorded by the drone’s sensor. Unlike JPEG, which compresses and processes the image, RAW preserves more information. This gives you more flexibility when editing.

So for beginners, the main benefit of RAW is the ability to correct exposure issues. If your photo is too bright or dark, RAW files let you recover details that would be lost in a JPEG. This is especially useful in real estate photography where lighting can be tricky.

Simple edits can significantly improve your photos. Adjusting contrast and brightness can make a property look more appealing. Tweaking colors can make the grass look greener and the skies bluer, within reason. The DJI app has something called LightCut Video Editor which allows you to edit photos or videos in real time after recording. 

It’s important to keep your edits realistic. Your goal is to show the property at its best, not create a fantasy. Subtle enhancements work better than dramatic changes.

To save time, create a basic editing routine. I always tell drone pilots or real estate agents that the editing settings are all based on specific shots. Start with exposure adjustments, then move on to color correction. Finally, straighten any crooked lines in the image. This approach works for most real estate photos.

Remember, the key is to make the property look good while keeping it true to life. Avoid over-editing that might mislead potential buyers. With practice, you’ll find the right balance between enhancement and realism.

8. Weather the Storm

Weather plays a crucial role in drone photography. It can make or break your shoot, so understanding its impact is essential.

Different weather conditions affect your shots in various ways. Bright sunlight creates harsh shadows, while overcast days provide softer, more even light. Rain can add interesting reflections, but it also poses risks to your equipment as most drones are not waterproof.

Safety should always be your top priority. Never fly in high winds, heavy rain, or thunderstorms. These conditions not only affect image quality but can also damage your drone or cause accidents.

However, less-than-perfect weather can offer creative opportunities. A cloudy sky can add drama to your shots. Early morning mist can create a magical atmosphere around a property.

I once tried to shoot during a drizzle, thinking I could get unique shots. While I did capture some interesting reflections, I also nearly damaged my drone. It wasn’t worth the risk.

Always check the weather forecast before planning a shoot. If conditions aren’t ideal, it’s better to reschedule than to compromise on quality or safety. Your clients will appreciate your professionalism in the long run.

9. Stand Out with Video – Beyond Still Photos

I see a lot of real estate agents only include still photos of their property listings. Now there could be many reasons for this that I will not cover. But the bottom line here is, they are missing out on many opportunities when it comes to drone video. 

But here’s the thing – it’s not just about fancy drone shots. In my opinion, having a combination of still photos and video has a huge impact on potential clients. I’ll use drone footage for those sweeping exterior shots, then switch to high-quality stills for the interior details. It gives potential buyers a chance to soak in the features without getting overwhelmed.

Smooth transitions between scenes can make even amateur footage look pro. I’m talking about simple cross-fades or even just well-timed cuts. It’s amazing how much more polished it makes everything look with some simple editing changes.

10. Incorporate Indoor Aerial Footage if You Can

I’ve found that indoor drone shots can be amazing for real estate photos. It’s not easy and I do stress that if it’s a small house, I do not attempt to do any indoor drone shots. A professional camera will do just as good for interior footage. 

I want to say that practice makes perfect, but interior drone photos take a lot of skill and patience. If you do attempt it, start in big, open spaces like living rooms or foyers. Go slow and steady. Use a small, lightweight drone like the DJI Avata 2 or DJI Mini 4 Pro for better control.

These shots give a unique view of the home’s layout. They show how rooms connect and flow. Buyers love seeing this perspective, but sometimes it’s always never needed as regular cameras will do the job more effectively.

Remember, safety first! Make sure the area is clear of people and pets. Fly slow and steady. 

11. Stay Legal and Safe – Navigating Drone Regulations

Drone rules can be tricky. Here’s what you need to know.

First, get your Part 107 Certificate from the FAA or another reputable website with a Part 107 course.

Next, register your drone with the FAA. It’s quick and cheap.

Always fly below 400 feet and keep your drone in sight. Don’t fly over people or move vehicles.

You usually need the homeowner’s permission to fly over their property for real estate. Get it in writing to be safe.

Privacy is always a concern so be mindful of neighbors and animals.

Rules change often so check the FAA website regularly. Join online drone groups for updates too.

Remember, following the rules keeps everyone safe and happy. Plus, it keeps you out of trouble!

Conclusion

Mastering real estate drone photography is an ongoing journey of creativity and technical skill.

By implementing these 11 expert tips, you’re well on your way to capturing stunning aerial shots that will set your listings apart.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Start by focusing on one or two techniques at a time, and gradually incorporate more as you become comfortable. Don’t be afraid to experiment and develop your unique style. With dedication and these insider insights, you’ll soon be creating jaw-dropping drone photos that wow clients and boost your real estate business.