Start an Aerial Photography Business: Complete Guide

Start an Aerial Photography Business: A Practical Startup Guide

Starting a business feels big. It’s tough when you don’t know the steps. This guide gives you a clear path, from idea to first paid job.

You’ll learn what to research, how to set up legally, and what gear to buy. You’ll see the skills you need and where permits and rules apply.

Read straight through. Or move step by step. When in doubt, pause and ask, “What’s the next small action I can take today?”

Pre-Start Foundations

Make sure this business fits your life. You’ll fly, film, and edit. You’ll manage weather delays, rules, and client expectations. If that excites you, you’re in the right place.

Think about demand in your area. Real estate, builders, roof inspections, and events can keep you busy. Ask why customers would choose you over others.

If you’re unsure about owning a business, explore the basics first. Review what business life looks like and how passion helps you keep going when work gets hard.

Confirm family support. You’ll be out on shoots early mornings and evenings.
Decide your focus: real estate, construction progress, inspections, or marketing video.
Scan local listings and job boards to gauge demand and typical deliverables.
Read: Business start-up considerations, An inside look at business ownership, Passion and staying power.

Skills You Need

You need both business skills and flight/imagery skills. You can learn many on your own. If a skill is missing now, decide to learn it or hire for it.

Start with safe flying and basic photo/video technique. Then add planning, estimating, and client communication.

Set a learning plan for the next 30–60 days. Keep it simple and consistent.

Business skills

Basic planning and budgeting; write a simple plan.
Pricing and packaging; learn to quote by deliverable, not flight time. See Pricing your services.
Client communication; set clear scope, revisions, usage, and delivery format.
Sales and lead follow-up; track inquiries and send clean proposals and invoices.
Hiring decisions; when work needs skills you lack, find contractors you trust. See How and when to hire.

Drone-specific skills

FAA Part 107 knowledge: airspace, weather, operations, emergencies.
Flight proficiency: stable manual flight, waypoint basics, safe takeoff/landing.
Photography/video: composition, exposure, shutter angle, LOG workflow.
Mission planning: site risk checks, authorizations, and daylight/night needs.
Data handling: backup, file naming, color management, and export presets.

Learn vs. hire

Learn: flight basics, Part 107 rules, photo composition, simple edits.
Hire when needed: advanced color grading, complex motion edits, licensed surveying (where required), voiceover/music scoring.

Research the Business

Study local demand, competitors, and what clients will pay for. Keep notes on services, deliverables, and turnaround time clients expect.

Know your sites. Downtown shoots, airports nearby, and public parks all affect flight approvals and scheduling.

Use research to decide your first three packages. Match scope to your gear and skill today.

Market and demand

Real estate: agents often want 15–25 edited photos, a 60–90 sec clip, and fast delivery.
Construction: monthly progress photos, high-angle video passes, roof and facade detail.
Inspections: close-range roof imagery, gutters, chimney, and siding. Confirm any site safety rules in advance.
Events/marketing: crowd rules and operations over people apply; plan camera angles and safe stand-off distances.

Competitors

Map local providers. Note their niches, response time, and sample quality.
Identify gaps: faster delivery, clear packages, night skills, or better framing.
Collect going rates for similar deliverables. Align your offer to value and scope.

Target clients

Residential agents and brokers; property managers and short-term rental hosts.
Builders, roofers, solar installers, and insurance adjusters.
Small businesses needing marketing content; event planners and venues.

Service scope and pricing models

Base packages: photo set only; photo + short clip; monthly site progress.
Add-ons: ground photos, interior clips, basic map/orthomosaic (non-survey), social-ready cuts.
Pricing models: per-package, per-deliverable, or retainer for repeat sites. Review Supply and demand and Pricing your services.

Business Model and Planning

Choose a simple position. Be the on-time, safety-first provider with clean images and clear terms. Keep your offer easy to understand.

Write a concise plan, focus on problem, solution, market, pricing, and next steps.

If you want help, use a plain outline and expand it as you learn.

Positioning

Niche by use case: real estate and roof imaging to start, or construction progress only.
Promise fast delivery and clear rights. State how many edits are included.
Show proof: before/after samples and one short case note.

Packages and upsells

Starter photo set (X images), add a short video clip as an upsell.
Progress set: fixed angles each visit; add monthly highlight reels.
Marketing set: a hero clip, 6–10 cutdowns, and a thumb for listings.

Financial assumptions

List one-time needs: aircraft, batteries, storage, software, registration, certification, insurance, website, travel kit.
List monthly needs: software, insurance, storage/backups, phone, fuel, marketing.
Define your break-even: target bookings per month to cover monthly needs.

Write your plan

Use a simple framework. See How to write a business plan.
Add a short mission line. See Create a mission statement.
List your next 10 actions. Keep each action small and clear.

Funding

Estimate what you need before you spend. List every item, from aircraft to website. Keep a small reserve for weather delays and replacements.

Start lean. Buy what you need to deliver your first package well. Upgrade once revenue is steady.

Choose one primary funding path and a backup.

Savings or a small personal investment to cover one-time gear and training.
Small loan or line of credit if needed for equipment. Avoid long terms on fast-aging tech.
Early pre-sales with trusted clients. Offer a small discount for a fixed number of sessions paid in advance.
Consider partners or investors only if they add key skills or clients. See Build vs. buy and partnering.

Legal and Compliance

Set up the business and meet flight rules. You will register your entity, get a federal tax ID if needed, and follow federal drone rules for commercial work.

Keep copies of approvals with you on every job. That includes airspace permissions, registration, and your pilot certificate.

When a step varies by location, confirm with the named office. Ask clear questions and note the answers.

Entity formation (state)

Choose and form an entity with your State Secretary of State (A sole proprietorship or LLC are common choices).
Pick a registered agent per state rules.
If using a name different from the legal name, file an assumed name/doing business as.

Varies by jurisdiction: Verify online with your State Secretary of State — search: “business entity filing” and “assumed name/DBA”.

Federal tax ID (EIN)

Apply online with the IRS for an Employer Identification Number if you need one for banking, hiring, or 1099 reporting.

Varies by jurisdiction: Federal. Apply through the IRS website — search: “Apply for EIN”.

State tax registration

Register with your State Department of Revenue if your state taxes your services or deliverables.
Confirm whether photography or digital files are taxable in your state before quoting.

Varies by jurisdiction: State Department of Revenue — search: “sales tax registration” and “photography services taxability”.

Local licensing and permits

Many cities or counties require a general business license.
Home-based offices may need a home occupation permit.
Filming on public property or in parks may require a film permit and proof of insurance.

Varies by jurisdiction: City/County business licensing and film office portals — search: “business license”, “home occupation permit”, and “film permit drones”.

FAA remote pilot certificate (Part 107)

Get your Remote Pilot Certificate to fly commercially.
Create an IACRA account, schedule and pass the Unmanned Aircraft General knowledge test, submit your application, and complete TSA vetting.
Complete recurrent training when due to stay current.

Drone registration and Remote ID

Register each drone flown under Part 107 in the FAA’s DroneZone.
Ensure Remote ID compliance with a standard Remote ID aircraft or a broadcast module, or fly at a recognized identification area where allowed.

Airspace authorizations

Request controlled airspace approvals through approved services for near-real-time authorization where available.
Check notices and temporary flight restrictions before every mission.

Surveying licensure cautions

Some states treat measurable mapping or photogrammetry as land surveying. Offering those services may require a state surveyor license.
If you provide basic overviews or orthomosaics that are not used for boundary work, label them clearly as non-survey imagery.

Brand and Identity

Pick a name that fits your niche. Check that the matching domain and social handles are open. Keep your brand clean and simple.

Use a basic identity kit now. You can expand it later. Focus on clarity and trust.

Build a small website with fast examples and a clear call to action.

Check name availability and secure the domain and key handles.
Create a simple logo, color set, and type choices. See Corporate identity package.
Order clean business cards. See Business cards.
Build a simple site with a services page, samples, and contact form. See How to build a website.
Draft a short marketing plan. See Create a marketing plan.

Equipment and Software

Buy gear that matches your first packages. Start with one dependable aircraft and a safety-focused field kit. Add as your scope grows.

Use storage and backups from day one. Losing client files hurts trust fast. Keep at least two copies.

Choose software you can run smoothly on your computer. Keep your toolset light and reliable.

Flight systems and control

Unmanned aircraft system (UAS) with integrated gimbal camera and Remote ID capability.
Remote controller; tablet or phone mount.
Extra propellers; prop guards if needed for tight spaces.
3–6 flight batteries; multi-bay charger; field charging (vehicle inverter or portable power).
Landing pad to protect camera and reduce debris.
Hard cases for aircraft and accessories.

Field support and safety

High-visibility vest; hard hat if required on construction sites.
Cones or tape to mark a takeoff/landing zone.
First-aid kit; flashlight; safety glasses; work gloves.
Fire-resistant battery bags; temperature-aware storage plan.
Clipboards or a binder for site forms and checklists.

Optics and media

Neutral density and polarizing filters for bright conditions.
High-capacity UHS-I or UHS-II microSD cards and a fast reader.
Color checker or gray card for consistent grading (optional).

Power and communications

Portable power station or vehicle inverter.
Charging cables and spares; extension cord; surge-protected power strip.
Mobile hotspot or phone with reliable data for on-site authorizations.

Data and office (professional service)

Desktop or laptop for editing and delivery.
External solid-state drives for active work and backups.
Monitor with decent color accuracy; calibration tool if grading video.
Document scanner/printer for permits and releases.

Transport

Vehicle space for cases and safety kit; rain covers.
Compact folding cart for long walks to sites (optional).

Optional payloads and add-ons

Spotlight or anti-collision strobe for night operations (as required).
Speaker or drop system only when authorized and safe.
Secondary aircraft for redundancy on paid shoots.

Software to consider

Photo editing and video editing software with simple export presets.
Cloud storage for client delivery and archival.
Basic mission planning and logging tools; authorization apps for airspace requests.
Bookkeeping and invoicing software.

Physical Setup

Keep storage dry, cool, and organized. Batteries like stable temperatures. Label every case and card.

A small home office works. You need a desk, editing setup, and shelves for cases. Keep a go-bag ready for quick shoots.

Plan your load-in and load-out. Protect gear from dust, heat, and rain.

Shelving for aircraft cases, safety gear, and charging stations.
Battery charging area with a fire-resistant surface and clear space.
Vehicle kit: tarps, towels, trash bags, and a small tool roll.

Insurance and Risk

Many clients require insurance. Some permits do too. Protect your business, gear, and third parties.

Work with a broker who understands small aviation. Ask what limits your typical clients expect.

Keep certificates handy for permits and venue approvals.

General liability policy; confirm limits clients request for shoots.
Unmanned aircraft liability; verify coverage applies to your aircraft and use.
Equipment coverage on and off site; confirm theft and transit coverage.
Consider non-owned auto for travel between sites if needed. See Business insurance basics.

Maintenance and Suppliers

Put simple checks on a schedule. Replace props early. Rotate batteries. Update firmware after you back up settings.

Keep a short list of reliable suppliers for media, batteries, and filters. Order spares before you need them.

Log your hours on aircraft and batteries. Retire parts before they cause a problem.

Pre- and post-flight inspections; note wear and cracks.
Battery health checks; track cycle counts and storage level.
Firmware updates on a test card before paid work.
Supplier list with shipping times and return policies.

Pre-Launch Readiness

Build a small but strong portfolio. Two homes, one roof inspection, and one short marketing clip can be enough to start.

Write clear terms. State what you deliver, when, and what usage rights the client gets.

Test your process end to end before taking payment.

FAA items: remote pilot certificate, aircraft registration proof, Remote ID set and tested.
Airspace workflow: request and store authorizations; check notices and restrictions before every flight.
Safety workflow: preflight checklist, marked landing zone, spotter plan when needed.
Deliverables: export presets for photo and video; file naming convention; backup plan with at least two copies.
Client assets: sample contract, model/property release, invoice template, and questions.
Portfolio: four strong samples with short notes on the problem and result.

Go-Live Checklist

Do one final pass before you accept jobs. Confirm legal, gear, and client-facing items. Keep the list short and solid.

When it’s all green, announce your launch. Start with warm leads. Celebrate the first booking.

After your first three jobs, review what worked and adjust your packages.

Legal set: entity active, tax IDs as needed, local license/permits if required.
Flight set: pilot certificate on hand, aircraft registered, Remote ID functioning, authorizations ready.
Gear set: aircraft, batteries, filters, storage, safety kit, and backup media.
Brand set: website live, cards in hand, social profiles with samples.
Sales set: pricing sheet, proposal and contract, invoice and payment link.
Marketing kickoff: email warm contacts, post samples, and ask for referrals.

Smart Questions to Ask Officials

Short, direct questions save time. Be polite and keep notes. Confirm where answers are published.

Call only when you cannot find the answer online. Write down the name of the office and the page you used.

Use the exact search terms below for faster results.

Secretary of State: “Business entity filing,” “Assumed name/DBA,” “Registered agent requirements.”
Department of Revenue: “Sales tax registration,” “Photography services taxability,” “Digital file taxability.”
City/County Licensing or Film Office: “Business license,” “Home occupation permit,” “Film permit drones,” “Insurance requirements.”
FAA: “Become a drone pilot Part 107,” “DroneZone registration,” “Remote ID,” “Airspace authorization.”
State Surveyor Board (if offering measurable mapping): “Photogrammetry surveying license,” “Unlicensed practice complaint.”

Final Self-Check

Breathe. It’s tough when the list feels long. You’ve got this. Focus on one step at a time.

Ask yourself: Do I have my entity, pilot certificate, aircraft registration, Remote ID, insurance, and a simple portfolio? If yes, you’re ready for your first client.

Pick one action now. Book your knowledge test date or your first practice shoot. Small steps compound.

101 Tips for Running Your Aerial Photography Business

Starting is the hard part, and that’s okay. You’re learning a new craft and a new business at the same time. Use these tips to take clear steps, avoid surprises, and build steady momentum. When you feel stuck, pick one small action and do it today.

Each tip is practical and focused on U.S. rules, clients, and markets. Follow the order within each section or jump to what you need now. Keep moving and celebrate each small win.

What to Do Before Starting

Decide your niche first so your gear and training match your services.
Confirm you meet FAA Remote Pilot eligibility and plan your knowledge test date.
Skim Part 107 topics and list the ones you’ll study each week.
Assess local demand by counting listings, builds, and recurring projects in your area.
Check typical sites you’ll visit and note airspace near airports that may need authorization.
Pick three starter packages you can deliver well with one aircraft.
Write a simple plan that covers market, offer, pricing, and the next ten actions.
Choose your business structure and confirm state filing steps at the Secretary of State site.
Open a business bank account to separate money from day one.
Create a simple risk list: weather, airspace delays, gear failure, and privacy concerns.
Set a training routine for flight skills, photo basics, and emergency procedures.
Line up a mentor or peer group to review your first portfolio before you launch.

What Successful Aerial Photography Business Owners Do

Practice before every paid job so muscle memory is fresh and smooth.
Use written checklists for preflight, flight, and postflight to reduce errors.
Keep client promises specific: number of photos, clip length, delivery time, and rights.
Build a repeatable shoot plan for each package so results are consistent.
Document your settings for common scenes to speed up on-site work.
Price by deliverable, not by minutes in the air, to reflect editing and planning time.
Track hit rates on proposals and adjust packages when win rates dip.
Store authorizations, permits, and releases where you can find them in seconds.
Back up all client work to two locations the same day.
Review every job for one improvement to carry into the next shoot.

Running the Business (Operations, Staffing, SOPs)

Write an operations manual that covers booking, prep, shoot, edit, and delivery.
Standardize file naming so projects sort by client and date without confusion.
Create shot lists for real estate, construction, and marketing so you never miss key angles.
Use a mission folder with site map, airspace plan, and emergency contacts.
Schedule battery charging and checks the day before every mission.
Carry a field kit with cones, vest, spare props, tools, and a landing pad.
Use model and property releases when people or private spaces appear in deliverables.
Build a bench of contractors for editing, second pilots, or ground video as needed.
Set response standards: acknowledge inquiries within one business day.
Automate reminders for invoices, deliverables, and expiring certificates.
Record equipment hours and battery cycles to plan replacements before failure.
Store aircraft, batteries, and media in labeled cases to speed packing and setup.

What to Know About the Industry (Rules, Seasons, Supply, Risks)

Commercial work requires an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate; plan for study, test, and recurrent training.
Register each drone flown under Part 107 and keep proof of registration on hand.
Remote ID compliance applies in most scenarios; verify your aircraft or module setup.
Use approved tools to request controlled airspace authorization when needed.
Check for notices and temporary flight restrictions before every flight.
Operations over people and at night have specific conditions; review them before accepting those jobs.
Some states treat measurable mapping as land surveying; verify licensing rules before offering it.
Construction sites may require safety gear and site briefings; clarify rules before arrival.
Weather drives demand and flight windows; plan sunrise and golden-hour slots early.
Expect supply delays on batteries and props; keep spares on order during busy seasons.

Marketing (Local, Digital, Offers, Community)

Show three tight packages with clear deliverables to reduce buyer hesitation.
Lead with a short reel that proves results in your chosen niche.
Add before-and-after frames to highlight how aerial angles change the story.
Publish a simple services page with sample files and exact delivery timelines.
List turnaround standards for each package to set expectations.
Collect permission to display work and build a rotating sample gallery.
Offer an introductory bundle for first-time clients with defined scope and limits.
Join local real estate and builders’ groups and attend one meeting each month.
Sponsor a small local event in exchange for credited aerial footage.
Send a monthly email with recent samples, lessons learned, and a booking link.
Create a referral program that rewards repeat business from partners.
Post short behind-the-scenes clips that show safe setup and professional conduct.
Respond to inquiries with a one-page PDF that lists packages, sample frames, and next steps.
Ask happy clients for two-sentence testimonials you can quote in proposals.

Dealing with Customers (Trust, Education, Retention)

Explain what you can and cannot do under the rules so clients trust your judgment.
Walk clients through site constraints and how you keep people and property safe.
Provide a simple checklist for property prep so shoots run on time.
Confirm access, parking, and staging areas two days before the job.
Offer a short call to align on the shots that matter most to the client.
Set a fair reschedule policy for weather and airspace delays before money changes hands.
Send a same-day status note after the shoot with delivery timing and any surprises.
Deliver on or before the promised date and include a concise usage summary.
Follow up one week later to ask what worked and what you can improve.
Offer a maintenance or refresh package for listings or progress updates.

Customer Service (Policies, Guarantees, Feedback)

Publish clear terms on scope, revisions, and delivery format so there are no surprises.
Use written change orders for requests that add time or risk.
Guarantee file integrity by delivering a primary set and a backup download window.
Provide one round of minor edits at no charge and define what counts as minor.
Create a simple refund policy tied to safety, weather, or access issues defined in advance.
Track response times and aim to answer all messages within one business day.
Invite candid feedback with one question: what would make the next job even better.
Store client preferences so future shoots match their style without reminders.
Send renewal reminders for recurring projects thirty days before the next date.

Sustainability (Waste, Sourcing, Long-Term)

Plan routes to group nearby shoots and cut travel time and fuel.
Use rechargeable field lights and maintain a battery recycling bin for spent cells.
Choose durable cases and repairable accessories to reduce replacements.
Adopt cloud storage lifecycle rules so cold archives move to lower-impact tiers.
Maintain aircraft to extend service life and reduce emergency purchases.
Source from suppliers with reliable stock to avoid rush shipping.

Staying Informed (Trends, Sources, Cadence)

Review FAA updates monthly for rule changes and safety notices.
Check official weather guidance and seasonal outlooks when planning marketing pushes.
Skim standards and best-practice advisories for battery safety and cyber hygiene each quarter.
Track new camera sensors and image formats and test them before adopting.
Follow state boards when offering mapping to watch for licensing updates.
Keep a running log of lessons learned and convert the best into checklists.

Adapting to Change (Seasonality, Shocks, Competition, Tech)

Create a rainy-day package with interior or sheltered ground shots for weather weeks.
Offer off-peak specials in slower seasons to keep bookings steady.
Maintain a second aircraft so a failure never cancels a paid job.
Test new editing workflows on personal projects before using them on clients.
Prepare a short “what changed” email template for clients when rules or procedures shift.
Reprice packages annually to reflect skill gains and market conditions.

What Not to Do

Do not accept work that requires authorizations you do not have; propose a compliant alternative instead.
Do not fly without checking airspace, notices, and restrictions on the day of the job.
Do not promise survey-grade measurements unless licensed where required.
Do not rely on a single battery set; bring enough for delays and retakes.
Do not skip client briefs; a five-minute alignment prevents rework and disappointment.
Do not publish client footage without written permission that allows it.

Sources: FAA, eCFR, U.S. Small Business Administration, IRS, NOAA, OSHA, NIST, PHMSA, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit