Drone Real Estate Photography: Like all of us here my wife and I enjoy photography. I have been retired for a number of years. My wife will soon be retiring. Recently she suggest...

Plymouth34 Loc: Pacific Northwest

Like all of us here my wife and I enjoy photography. I have been retired for a number of years. My wife will soon be retiring. Recently she suggest looking into real estate drone photography as a supplemental income. My first thought was that area is probably saturated with photographers. Secondly, I have no clue about drones. That is from flying them to cost. So my question is... is there anyone out there who does this and if so could you give me some insight? Thanks for your time.

lojewskb

Don't waste time trying to make money out of it. If you like photography, buy a drone and gain a new perspective on things. There are so many drone photographers and to have good pictures you need to spend a lot of money on the drone, which requires you to spend time learning to fly it. Then you will need to edit the photos before sending, so when you combine the up front investment, the time it takes you to get to the location,the time you spend trying to get the shot, travel home, phot editing and then sending your photos off, you've lost money. If your lucky the money you spend advertising and all the other costs, you will have the drone long enough without a drone ending crash to pay for your hobby. If you want to make money, go back to work:)

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

You also need to be licensed to fly a drone for commercial use. Some real estate photographers use drones as an add-on. I am a real estate photographer and I do not use drones because their use is limited in reality. If I need a drone I will hire someone properly licensed and pass their fees on.

trainguy Loc: Suttons Bay, MI

Don't forget you will need an FAA license to fly commercially and insurance.

sr71 Loc: In Col. Juan Seguin Land

Key Word here "DJI" These drones run from $500 to over $3000. All drones from 8oz to 55lbs recreational or commercial must be registered how ever flying commercially you have to take an exam and be licensed it's not hard to get but will take some time and effort. The DJI's are one of he best of this breed, however as easy as they are to fly it is still going to take sometime BesT Buy has this dji phantom 3 with gimbal and camera for $499.00 DJI - Phantom 3 Standard Quadcopter - White

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?_dyncharset=UTF-8&ks=960&sc=Global&list=y&usc=All%20Categories&type=page&id=pcat17071&iht=n&seeAll=&cp=1&browsedCategory=pcmcat748300869789&st=categoryid$pcmcat748300869789&qp=brand_facet=Brand~DJI&ref=21&loc=KW-2154&ksid=bdbf6601-a56c-47ab-8cb0-be81ef079ffb&ksprof_id=14&ksaffcode=1903616&ksdevice=c

give me a shout email will be glad to help if I can sr71blackbird@att.net

Wylie

Plymouth34 wrote:

Like all of us here my wife and I enjoy photograph... (show quote)

wmontgomery Loc: Louisiana

I recently listed 1200+ acres in northern Arkansas, most of which is high fenced. A consideration for me was the realtor has an associate in his office who flies an drone to put video on their listings. They use a DJI Phantom 4. I negotiated to have him fly and video my fence lines so I can do any necessary repairs. Video has been created, now waiting on him to edit it.
I would think in rural real estate that video from a drone would be a plus but creating a business is another thing.
Udemy.com has a drone course on learning to fly and starting a business for $10.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I have been doing photography for almost 50 years and am just starting to get into Real Estate work. I am considering a Drone but, from what I can see, they are pretty expensive and I'm not sure how many properties would really need these kind of shots. I am semi-retired but continue to do sports action, portrait and event photography. As I got my Real Estate license in 2015 and am doing my own photo work for what I am selling, I plan to begin to offer my services in this area before the end of the month. As David indicated, I will hire someone with a drone when and as needed. As a Real Estate agent I feel comfortable in saying that, in general, agents are very cost conscious so I know if I want business I need to not only be competitive but produce good work at a reasonable price. Best of luck.

Photocraig

I did my own photography when I was a Broker in CA. Other than remote rural large lot property, most residential and commercial property, even "in the country" will, necessarily, have utility cables and large trees that will compound any drone flying issues. When listing high end property, image quality and completeness, even for an informal "look at this," is essential. And the Real estate liability attached to "this isn't ANYTHING like the video/photos the Real Estate Agent showed me that cause me to buy" should a dispute ever (like forever) arise complicates the endeavor.

Real Estate is a very litigious environment as well as an expensive endeavor. Protect your investment and your business and proceed with informed caution.
C

Plymouth34 Loc: Pacific Northwest

lojewskb wrote:

Don't waste time trying to make money out of it. I... (show quote)

Thank you. That's is what I needed to hear. To be honest, it is more about my wife thinking she will have to much free time on her hands. She was thinking of it being more of a hobby that makes a couple of dollars. I have been retired since 2009 and I have more going on now than when I was working. Just have to convince her she will not be bored.
She already is going to contract back to where she works after she retires. That is not what I call retiring. I guess I am going to have to give her some lessons. lol

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Plymouth34 wrote:

Thank you. That's is what I needed to hear. To b... (show quote)

That sounds like a more sound plan for use of a drone. Buy one and play with it. After you become familiar and good and using your drone and the camera, you may get some offers for hire. But I wouldn't count on it. I'd just enjoy the hobby. I think for about $1500 your can get a fabulous drone with video, still camera on a gimbal. They are becoming quite popular. You might want to start with a cheap drone just in case you crash it. I think that most people learn the hard way about drones and wreck one or two before they become more proficient at flying them and knowing their limits.

Plymouth34 Loc: Pacific Northwest

I was a film/video editor for a ABC (American Broadcasting Company) for a number of years. I changed careers many years ago and never looked back. Not sure I want to get back into it again. Again, thanks for your time and insight. I'll stick with my Canon 6d.

Plymouth34 Loc: Pacific Northwest

DavidPine wrote:

You also need to be licensed to fly a drone for commercial use. Some real estate photographers use drones as an add-on. I am a real estate photographer and I do not use drones because their use is limited in reality. If I need a drone I will hire someone properly licensed and pass their fees on.

Thank you. After reading what all of you told me... we decided to just stay retired. Isn't that what you do when you quit working? lol