Introduction to Real Estate Drone Photography

Technology integration into our lives has opened up numerous avenues and revolutionised our approach to various fields. Real estate photography is no exception. The advent of drones and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) has added a touch of ‘awe’ to the process and brought in a new era of feasibility and versatility, offering us tools that are surprisingly easy to use and adapt to.

Drones and UAVs have become essential tools for capturing stunning aerial views of properties. Their use became so prevalent because drone shots provide the viewer with a comprehensive, bird’s eye view of the property and allow them to understand its accurate scale better. Viewers can now see the landscape and the neighbourhood in a single shot – something that wasn’t possible earlier without using helicopters or other expensive equipment. Statistically, the enhanced visual appeal of drone real estate shots of properties attracts more buyers and allows agents to sell the properties professionally and more dynamically. 

Legal and Safety Considerations

Manoeuvring the drone is not easy, and there are no two ways to do it. But there is something even more important than learning to control a UAV. There are rigorous regulations for flying drones and UAVs, and these rules differ from region to region. For example, the Federal Aviation Administration states drone flyers need a Part 107 licence to operate drones. 

Licensing requirements will differ based on where you intend to shoot, but the standard protocol requires drone operators to be at least 16. They must also undergo a background check and pass all the necessary examinations. 

When it comes to real estate, aerial shots have redefined the way customers and agents view and present properties. Thanks to the UAV shots, there are many more possibilities now. However, flying drones and UAVs in residential areas requires the operators to be extremely careful. 

Safety is paramount in this case, and the operators must check weather conditions, confirm flight paths, inspect the drone properly, conduct a trial run, run diagnostics, and avoid no-fly zones. As spectacular as drone shots may be, a bundle of responsibility and safety measures must be adhered to when manning a UAV or taking drone shots for real estate photography. With that out of the way, let’s discuss some of the best drone real estate photography options.

Tips To Choose The Right Drone for Real Estate Photography

The intent behind drone photography for real estate is to present a property or an asset in the realest yet most flattering manner to drive sales. This is from the real estate agent’s perspective. As for the customers, it is easier to decide when they can see the scale of the property, the different features, the neighbourhood, and a complete view in one go. It makes it easier for buyers to realise what they are paying for. So, in this day and age, it is imperative to make sure that you get your real estate drone photography shots right, and to do that, you need to keep a couple of things in mind. They are as follows:

• Know Your Drones

  Different kinds of drones are available in the market, each with its own features and pricing. For example, drones can be RTF (Ready To Fly), BNF (Bind and Fly), PNP/PNF (Plug and Play/Plug and Fly), and ATF (Almost Ready to Fly). The primary difference between the versions mentioned above is the degree of assembly required before your drone is truly fly-ready. Very minimal assembly is involved with ATF, so they tend to be more expensive than the BNF.

• Range

  One of the primary things to consider when buying a drone is the range that it has to offer. If the range is too low, there is a possibility that you will not be able to shoot your real estate videos the way you imagined. Furthermore, you will always risk losing or damaging your drone if it goes too far out of range. Cheaper drones offer up to 30 m of range, while the more expensive ones will give you miles. 

• Camera

  Another equally important feature is the camera and its quality. The primary purpose here is to shoot properties and assets to glorify them and highlight their features. A drone that can shoot 4K or 8K videos will be more expensive and generate better results. Smoother videos and better colours will always go a long way in setting a good impression with clients. So make sure you check the FPS, the sensor size, the resolution, and other details relevant to your use before buying.

• Additional Features

  If you are investing in a drone for drone photos real estate, the least you can do is to ensure that you get one with more to offer than just a decent camera and an agreeable flight range. Some cameras come with zoom features that can be handy. It makes it easier for agents to describe and analyse the property when selling. Also, check the shutter speed of the camera on your drone. While it may sound irrelevant, it plays a crucial role. Since the drone is in motion, having a camera with a higher shutter speed will give you far more stable, crisp, and clear photos.

• Availability of Spare Parts

  The general idea is to buy drones that are less popular or not manufactured by a reputed brand. While it is not necessarily true that an expensive drone will be better than an affordable one, the fact that it is easier to obtain spare parts for a popular drone model cannot be refuted. 

Techniques For Capturing Stunning Aerial Shots

Buying a drone is only the first step in shooting real estate videos. Stylising these shots, finding the right angles and symmetry, creating the right balance in contrast and shadows – that’s where the magic happens. In this section of the article, we will list down some handy tips and techniques that will instantly enhance your aerial real estate photography from mediocre to stunning:

• Rule of Thirds

  This is a widespread term in photography and videography, and it is popular because it works wonders. The idea is to divide the entire frame into a 3X3 grid. Then, you can place the primary subjects within the intersecting lines. This will add depth and ensure the focus is on the subject. 

• Use ND Filters

  ND Filters, or Neutral Density filters, dictate how much light enters your camera. Play around with the different ND Filters to achieve different results. If you learn to experiment and toy with the different ND filters, you can also develop your real estate aerial shots style.

• Camera Modes

  If you have purchased a drone with some advanced shooting features, make it a point to take advantage of those features. For instance, if you want to truly capture the scale of a massive property with a front and backyard, you can use the Panoramic feature. This dynamic feature will allow you to include more elements in the picture (the sky, nearby buildings, property details, etc.). This gives a larger-than-life appeal to the picture.

• Diverse Shooting Techniques

  Avoid using long-standing, boring shooting techniques. Newer shooting ideas have worked well, especially regarding real estate drone photography. Flyover shots, tracking shots, aerial pan shots, reveal shots, and pedestal shots are a few you can start with. 

Editing and Enhancing Drone Real Estate Photos

Once you finish the shooting, you must process and edit these shots to make them more appealing to the customers. RAW photos need more colour, grit, and life that edits will sprinkle. Naturally, it’s imperative to get it right as well. Studio Moguls has, for quite some time now, been hailed as one of the best names to outsource drone real estate editing projects to. Here are some valuable tips for editing your real estate drone shots better:

• Highlight colours

  How you edit a regular and drone-captured photo differs. If you have an amazing aerial shot of a stunning property with lush green lawns, highlight the colours of the building’s facade and bring out the green tones. Ensure the blue skies contrast nicely with the warm green colours. Finding the right balance of colours and enhancing them will do 50% of the job for you.

• Sharpen pictures

  Drones can shoot in 4K and 8K. Modern-day drones come equipped with unbelievably powerful cameras. Therefore, make it a point to increase the sharpness of each picture to its fullest. This will make it clearer and crisper, highlight the minor details, and make the image look ‘richer.’

• Omit unnecessary information

  In real estate drone photography, the primary objective is to present that property so that the prospective buyer turns into a confirmed buyer. For that conversion to happen, agents must ensure they sell the property so the potential buyer cannot take their eyes off the pictures. Aerial drone shots end up capturing a lot of details in and around the subject. Ensure you keep only what is necessary and blur out or remove the unnecessary details. This will make the picture neat and look more classy.

To Wrap It Up

The right aerial shot can undoubtedly transform the entire look of an average property, but not everything is about the drone. The key here is understanding how to utilise your drone to capture magnificent shots. After that, image editing should be done to make them visually striking so that anyone and everyone can appreciate them.

Studio Moguls, a video editing agency, has earned a reputation for being responsible for stunning transformations in real estate drone shots. The team is highly experienced with real estate video editing, and their creative inputs have helped an extensive portfolio of real estate clients. Contact Studio Moguls to learn more about or make use of their services.

FAQs

What is real estate drone photography?

Real estate drone photography involves capturing aerial images and videos of properties using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). There are many benefits to using real estate drone photography, such as getting a unique perspective and detailed views of the property, which is not possible in traditional photography. 

Can real estate drone photography enhance my property listing?

Yes, drone photography can enhance your property listing by showcasing the property in a unique way. Ensure you cover the property from unique angles, highlighting features such as the swimming pool, garage, garden, and surrounding landscapes. This will encourage potential buyers to check out your property and get a comprehensive view of it. 

What should I look for when hiring a drone photographer?

Consider hiring a licensed and certified drone photographer. Look for someone who has experience shooting real estate photos, carries liability insurance, and can provide a portfolio of previous work. Typically, hiring a video editing agency can be a more reliable option. They have experience, expertise, and extensive portfolios in varied types of photography.