How much is drone photography pricing?
How much is drone photography pricing?
$100 – $300 average cost for real estate photos
$250 – $500 average cost for real estate photos & video
$50 – $300 average cost per hour
Drone photography prices
Real estate drone photography prices are $250 to $500 for 5 to 10+ aerial photos and a 30- to 120-second video.
Drone photography rates are $50 to $300 per hour.
A drone wedding video costs $300 to $900 alone or $200 to $500 as an add-on service.
| Service | Average cost |
|---|---|
| 30- to 90-minute drone photography shoot (5 to 15 edited images) | $100 – $300 |
| 30-second- to 2-minute real estate video & 5 to 10+ edited photos | $250 – $500 |
| 1- to 3-minute real estate video & 15 to 25+ edited photos | $350 – $800 |
| Drone wedding video service | $300 – $900 |
| 30-minute aerial video at 4K resolution | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Hourly rates | $50 – $300 |
Real estate drone photography pricing
Drone real estate photography costs $100 to $300 on average for standalone service or $50 to $100 as an add-on to standard real estate photography.
Drone photographers typically include a top-down shot clearly showing the property size, layout, and surroundings, and several angled shots from different viewpoints.
| Package type | Average cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Drone footage add-on | $50 – $100 | 5 – 15 aerial images |
| Drone photos only | $100 – $300 | 5 – 15 aerial images |
| Drone video only | $200 – $450 | 30-second to 2+ minute video |
| Drone photos & video (small) | $250 – $500 | 5 – 10+ aerial images 30-second-to-2-minute video |
| Drone photos & video (large) | $350 – $800 | 15 – 25+ 1-to-3-minute video |
Aerial drone photography cost factors
Aerial photography and video pricing depends on many factors, including:
Drone type – Professional drone equipment costs $2,000 to $10,000+. Pilots using high-end equipment typically charge more but produce higher quality images and videos.
Experience – A new drone pilot may charge $25 to $50 per hour as they build their portfolio. A highly rated, seasoned professional may charge up to $500 per hour in some areas.
Number of photos & video length – Price increases with the length of video or number of images as they require more shooting and editing time.
FAA regulations – Professional drone pilots must be FAA licensed. Additional permits may be required if the area is a restricted flight zone.
Insurance – Professional drone photographers spend $450 to $750+ per year for liability insurance coverage and factor this overhead cost into their pricing.
Travel fees – Most drone pilots add travel charges when working outside a specified radius.
Add-ons – Adding ground photography or extensive editing options increases costs. Still, many businesses charge less per service when purchasing a multiple-service package.
Editing – Drone photo and video editing costs $70 to $180 per hour. Editing services include video stitching, color balancing, and special effects. Some packages include editing.
Rush services – Many professionals add $25 to $100+ for same day or next day rush service.
Drone operator rates per day & hour
Drone operator day rates are $500 to $1,700 on average for a full day or $400 to $1,100 for a half-day shoot.
For shorter jobs, drone pilots charge $50 to $300 per hour, depending on location, drone equipment, and pilot experience.
| Charge | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $50 – $300 |
| Per half-day | $400 – $1,100 |
| Per day | $500 – $1,700 |
Drone wedding video cost
A drone wedding video costs $300 to $900 on average for standalone drone service or $200 to $500 when adding drone footage to a wedding photo and video package.
Total cost depends on the shoot length, video length, and the amount of post-production work needed.
Drone video works best as a compliment to traditional wedding videography and photography.
Consider adding drone footage if the wedding is at a large venue with beautiful outdoor landscaping and surroundings.
Most professionals recommend a site visit and trial run to map out flight paths and ensure the pilot captures the couple's vision. A trial runs typically costs less than day-of service.
Is drone photography worth it?
Drone photography and videography is worth it for real estate listings as listings with aerial shots typically sell 50% to 60+% faster than those using standard photography.
Drone footage at a wedding may be worth it for couples celebrating at a large venue like a beach or winery.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Getting estimates and hiring a drone photographer
Before hiring a drone photographer near you, be sure to:
Ask friends, family, or coworkers for referrals.
Get at least 2 to 3 estimates to compare.
Use the FAA's B4UFLY website or app to confirm drones are allowed in the area you want the photos or video.
Look for members of the Association of Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) who have been in business more than five years.
Review their website and portfolio.
Browse their reviews on Fash and Google.
Avoid going with the lowest quote as the quality may suffer.
Get a contract in writing detailing copyright terms and everything included in the package.
Questions to ask
What experience do you have with drone photography and videography?
Do you have a valid FAA Part 107 license?
Do you have formal training or certifications?
Do you carry insurance coverage?
Do you have a portfolio of past projects or a demo reel to share?
Can you provide local references with contact information?
What if there is severe weather?
Are there any licenses or permits required for my location?
Do I need to be on location when you shoot?
How quickly do you provide the footage?
Is copyright release included in the price?