Camera drones are certainly one of the neatest things to come along the last few years and they are very fun to fly and the photos can be amazing. I highly recommend that you find someone to help you not only learn how to fly it safely and efficiently but also to familiarize you with the laws and restrictions around drones.

I am a Part 107 FAA drone pilot and have owned several camera drones. However, I recently sold my drones due to the ever-increasing number of rules and laws surrounding their use. When they first came out, one could fly them almost anywhere and the opportunities seemed endless for their use in photography. However, now it seems like every local condo association, neighborhood, suburb, town, city, county, and many states have enacted laws that make flying a drone a risky operation and subject to stiff fines for violations. The use of camera drones is often illegal in exactly the kinds of places one would want to use them i.e. beaches, national parks, and many, if not most, city and state parks and wildlife areas. Additionally, it is illegal to fly a drone within 5 miles of any airport or heliport. And often, most hospitals have heliports. The list goes on and is getting bigger and more restrictive. The FAA is also coming out with new restrictions soon which will make many of the current drones illegal and be required to be phased out in coming years.

There is also the people factor. Fly a drone around your community and there is a good chance someone will complain or call the police. That is a good reason to research the local laws and codes in your area. I used my drone to take real estate photos. And almost every time I flew it to photograph a house or property, I had neighbors come out to complain and make sure I was not using it to spy on them. Check out youtube for many videos of people calling the police and threatening drone operators.

I hate being a bearer of bad news concerning your drone. I loved flying and shooting photos with mine, but it just became too much of a risk in the area I live. Hopefully, you have lots of open areas free of restrictions to fly.

I also got a mini 2 for father's day and have yet to fly it. I have another I've been learning with so I don't get the mini banged up before I am able to take advantage of those magnificent features.
Fortunately, I live in Colorado which is around 65% national forest where about the only restrictions are to not disturb the critters. Of course, the state and national parks are restricted but that leaves me an awful lot of open space to play in that's not a lot less desirable than in the parks. I don't do any kind of shooting around people so that's not a problem. There is always some sucker who will go out of his/her way to tell you what you can, shouldn't, and can't do. When that happens I just smile, nod, and carry on.

"I also got a mini 2 for father's day and have yet to fly it."

Get it out and try it. It is too much fun to leave in the box.

When you first turn it on then press the takeoff button, it elivates to about tripod height. Then it just sits there. It does not go anywhere. You can then use the left stick and rotate around taking pictures or video. Press the land button and it settles back to the exact takeoff spot. On the next 'flight' you can use the right stick and nudge it a few feet in any direction, nudge it back and press the autoland button.

It is a misconception that it is built to swoop around. The two sticks are very responsive to gentle touch. It is easy to move in controlled inch or foot distances. If you let go, it simply stops where it is and sits until you decide what to do next.

"I also got a mini 2 for father's day and have yet to fly it."

Get it out and try it. It is too much fun to leave in the box.

When you first turn it on then press the takeoff button, it elivates to about tripod height. Then it just sits there. It does not go anywhere. You can then use the left stick and rotate around taking pictures or video. Press the land button and it settles back to the exact takeoff spot. On the next 'flight' you can use the right stick and nudge it a few feet in any direction, nudge it back and press the autoland button.

It is a misconception that it is built to swoop around. The two sticks are very responsive to gentle touch. It is easy to move in controlled inch or foot distances. If you let go, it simply stops where it is and sits until you decide what to do next.