Finding out how to choose a drone or aerial photography supplier can seem a bit daunting especially if it’s something you are doing for the first time. However there are a few easy steps you can take to help remove much of the risk and hassle and also ensure that you get precisely what you are expecting.
Firstly and most importantly, consider what you want to do with the output. Is it simply photography or video for the web or are you looking for something you can put through a large projection system in a corporate presentation or have printed in a large format? The filming process and its outputs or formats can have very different requirements or specifications. Content for web or social media has different resolution needs than something for a large printed format or presentation, which requires high resolution to maintain clarity.
One of the first questions that often gets asked is “what do you fly?” and while that is a valid question, better ones are: “Do you have a track record in delivering the kinds of images I need?”, “Do I like your work?”, “Have I seen live examples of what you are proposing to deliver?” and “Do you have the post-production and precision flying skills needed for the job?”
Just because someone can fly a drone doesn’t mean they can frame or capture a professional image or video.
Also on the question of “what do you fly”, it may not make sense to use an expensive, high-end drone for simpler work like real estate photography. A lighter drone with an experienced pilot may be more suitable, especially in congested or restricted areas. Heavier drones often require a pilot, camera operator, and ground staff, increasing the cost.
Firstly, make sure you see examples of the kind of output you need; photography or video. Ensure the supplier has a track record and the technical skills required, and that you like their style.
If you are looking for survey-type photos or video, the content will likely need to be more analytical and less artistic.
If you are selling a luxury property, you are selling a lifestyle. You’ll want creative, mood-setting images in a polished presentation, in addition to the basics like elevations and plot coverage.
So make sure your drone supplier has relevant examples, and be ready to ask questions and tweak the brief to get exactly what you need.
However you proceed, remember the basic limitations of drone filming & photography: maximum height of 400 feet, 500 meters reach, and line-of-sight at all times. The pilot must have permission to take off from the landowner. Most mid-range drones have limited zoom due to stabilization concerns, but shooting in 4K allows for post-production zooming.
Standard Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) permissions do NOT allow flying:
- within 150m of events or gatherings of more than 1,000 people (e.g., concerts, sports events)
- within 50m of anyone or anything not directly under the pilot’s control
- near military or restricted sites (e.g., power stations or areas with high-intensity radar)
- near airports, aerodromes, or other air users (e.g., parachute or hang gliding sites)
To film under these conditions, additional CAA permission may be needed, which involves producing a specific safety case – a complex and time-consuming process.
In addition to licensing, practical factors matter too, such as whether the drone can fly around the subject easily, potential obstructions (trees, wires, buildings), or the presence of animals or children (e.g. near schools).
Weather is another factor. Most drones can handle moderate wind, but anything above 15 mph, rain, or extreme cold (below -4°C) may make flights unsafe. Wind also affects video quality despite drone stabilization tech.
Always verify the supplier’s pilot licence (Permission for Aerial Work), additional CAA approvals if any, valid insurance, and Operations Manual to ensure safety and efficiency.
That said, drone technology offers great advantages—providing unique perspectives and safer, faster access to difficult areas, saving cost and effort.
If you would like more information or to discuss a project, please get in touch with the team at Thames Valley Drones at 01628 436 494 or 07595 662 472.