Drone Photography, and Why it's Essential for Every Listing

Since the release of the DJI Phantom 3 in 2015, consumer-grade drones have been becoming more affordable and easier to use. They’re also everywhere, and a popular option for both travelling and local-based creatives. I purchased my first drone in 2017, which was a Phantom 3 Professional, and to this day I wish I never sold it off. It used to absolutely rip through scourges of mosquitoes during the hot humid summer nights and helped me capture some of my favorite photos and footage to this day. I went from having that bulky drone that I needed an entire backpack to carry, to something called the Mavic 3, which is a foldable drone that can almost fit in your jacket pocket. It’s capable of 5.1K video and 20mp photos, making it the perfect option for professional photo and video, including real estate media. So why should your real estate photographer have a drone?

Back when I was a kid, a man visited our property one day with a photograph; a beautiful overhead shot of our family farm from a Cessna plane - we ended up purchasing it and framing it for our living room. It showed not only our house and farm, but much of the surrounding PA landscape, including fields and other houses and farms in the distance. I didn’t realize it then, but that would be the first time I’d be introduced to aerial media (albeit, a little different than a drone).

When buyers are looking for a new home or property, they’re looking for media that will show them everything they need to know before they tour. While regular HDR blended photos may present the interior and exterior of the home nicely, aerial images really show off a unique angle of the entire property from above, along with the surrounding area. A property’s location is important, and adding images of parks, stores, restaurants, nearby waterways and more that are conveniently located near your listing (as seen from the air) is detrimental for a quicker sale. It can also help your listing stand out, as there are a surprising amount of listings right here in Charleston that lack aerial images.

One important thing to ask your photographer that has a drone is if he/she has a Part 107 Certification from the FAA - this means that they can legally “make money” with their drone. This is also known as the professional drone pilot license, and you have to pass a rigorous test to hold it. I passed my exam back in Dec 2022 (shortly before I launched my RE media business), and it was a stressful experience. I’ve been asked countless times by realtors if I’m licensed, but I also know a few fellow real estate photographers that aren’t. This certification is important to have, as the FAA ramps up the crackdown on drone pilots skirting the law. The last thing you need is for your photographer to “be grounded” and unable to provide the media required for your listings.



Here at MCIV Photography, I offer drone photos included in all of my photo packages. Drone images are quick and easy to capture for most listings, and it’s disappointing to see other photographers taking advantage of the situation and charging an outrageous amount for something so simple. I also offer other media that include drone videography, an excellent option to add onto a listing photo package. If you’re looking to maximize your listing’s media potential, don’t hesitate to contact me today!