Are you a photography enthusiast? Do you pursue this
pastime just for fun or plan on launching a company of your own? Well, you should
be thrilled to learn that there are tons of options nowadays for seasoned
photographers to start their career in this field and make a living. Although
some people are born with this talent, some can also learn it using so many
techniques available today on YouTube and other social media sites. No matter
which category you fall under, there is one thing that will make you think
seriously about this business and that is aerial photography. With the advent
of high-tech affordable drones on the market, this term is now becoming more
and more common and a lot of people are already earning huge amounts of revenues
using aerial photography.
If you have been in this field for some time, you’re
already familiar with the competition that exists in the field of photography.
Some are dedicated to wedding or fashion photography, while others keep their
options open. They capture natural scenes, portraits, and many other types of
photos using extremely high resolution cameras. In fact, in depth understanding
of your camera is as important as you, the photographer. If you are not
familiar with all the features and functions of your camera, you will not be
able to take full advantage of it in aerial photography.
With such huge competition, there is little room for
mistakes if you really want to succeed. So, if you are thinking of using aerial
photography as your career, this article provides advice to help you minimize
risks and enjoy this business as it flourishes. Here we have gathered some
guidelines from experienced photographers who say that if they had known before
they wouldn’t have committed these mistakes in the beginning of their career. So,
let’s go through some of these guidelines.
Get
drone training
Flying your drone is not as easy as it might seem…at
least in the beginning. There are a number of controls as well as other options
that you need to learn before you can master the skill. If you plan on flying
the drone yourself for capturing aerial photos, it is highly recommended that
you first get drone training in order to ensure a safe flight and also avoid
getting into legal trouble. There are special colleges and training institutions
now available that enroll students in their programs and when the courses are
complete, they are given some sort of certification or degree that reflects
their command over drones or UAV flying. You need to learn not just the parts
of a drone but also the buttons and sticks on the remote controller that maneuvers
the drone and takes the photos. There are options of tilting and rotating that
only advanced drone pilots are able to use. Make sure you get your hands on the
required material and then read it thoroughly along with practicing daily to
master this skill.
Buy
the right drone
The first and most important decision after learning
the basic controls is to choose the right drone for your photography business. You
don’t just need a simple unmanned aerial vehicle that comes equipped with a
camera. You need a powerful machine that is not only capable of capturing
excellent photos but is also loaded with the latest software application or
mobile app to give you more control over the features. The tools and functions
that come with a computer software program help to save a lot of time and
effort for future projects. All you need is to get a little more familiar with
the commands and you’re all set to go. Special training is available for some
specific drone models. Do a little research online to see what other photographers
are using and then try your hands on it.
Rent
a drone first
There is an option of renting a drone to learn its
features before actually spending money on a particular model. This is a great
option for beginners who have limited budget set for investing in this type of
business. There are companies that lease various models of drones and you can
see their websites for more information. You have to specify a pickup date and
a return date for the drone you want to rent. There is a fee associated with
daily usage of such a leased machine and you need to take care in order to
avoid damage, injury, and loss.
Set
a budget
With so many beautiful drones out there along with
all the hardware and software they come with, you are sure to become
overwhelmed. However, careful planning on what you really need to start your
own aerial photography business helps to avoid spending on things and gadgets
you don’t need. It’s good to invest money in the beginning of any business venture
but it’s also advisable not to get carried away with your spending. You should
be aware that in the start you might face difficulties and hurdles as it is
common with any other business. Aerial photography is no different. So, set a
budget and stick to it especially in the first few months so that you are ready
to face the challenges and stay committed to your goals.
Have
your drone insured
When using a drone for commercial purpose, it is
always recommended to get it insured in order to cover all the damages that
might happen in the beginning. Since you will be flying outdoors for aerial
photography, there are chances of coming across forces you have no control
over. Moreover, if your drone happens to injure a person it is an even worse
scenario. So, do keep all these points in mind especially if you wish to start
your own photography business. These types of hazards do not normally exist in
the other forms of photography but when you wish to go in the air, anything
might happen. There is ample information regarding drone insurance on the
internet so find out the type of coverage you are going to need and how to
apply for such a policy.
Find
an area to target
There are tons of opportunities when it comes to
taking aerial photos but you need to focus on only one niche or subject to
target. Many people are already working as drone photographers in the real
estate business. There is a huge potential in this field as new properties,
houses and apartments are always in great demand. People want to see aerial
photos of what they are buying. Similarly, many people are hiring drone
photographers nowadays to cover their special events particularly weddings and
engagements. Land surveying and building inspection are also becoming popular
in the drone industry. So, before you decide to start your photography business,
it is advisable to think of a niche to target so that you can focus your skills
on that industry and offer your services very clearly and concisely.
Join
online communities
Once you are ready to take on your first assignment,
don’t forget to sign up with sites like jobfordrones.com or other social media
groups that help drone pilots find great jobs online. You can mention your
areas of expertise to attract clients from around the world and also see what
other drone pilots or drone photographers are up to. Fiverr.com is another
wonderful community to become a part of if you want to make some customers
quickly and gain aerial photography experience to mention on your CV or online profile.
It’s a great and free-of-cost way of developing an impressive portfolio to
become the basis of your future aerial photography company.
Log on to one of the websites mentioned above to see
what other people are charging for their aerial photography services. In order
to build a solid profile with a number of positive reviews, you might need to
offer your services at cheap rates in the beginning. However, once you start
getting good ratings, you can gradually increase your rate to earn more
profits. Photography is an art and it should be fully enjoyed. Make sure you
polish your aerial photography skills to take your business to the next level and
get ahead of your competitors in this field.
Whenever a new technology is introduced to the
business world, mistakes do occur. But the important thing is not to repeat
these mistakes in the future and to learn from the experiences of others who tried,
failed, then tried again and succeeded. Aerial photography is undoubtedly the
future of this business as more high-tech and sophisticated drones are being
introduced to the market. If you enjoy this pastime and would like to convert
it into a lucrative business, do follow the above-mentioned guidelines to
guarantee success in the years to come.
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