Make Your Business Stand Out with Drone Wedding Photography

Aerial photography has been around since the days of copper sheets, airships, and blimps. Professional photographers who wanted to capture breathtaking views from above were described as adventurous, since the early days of aerial were fraught with danger. As necessity is the mother of invention, photographers did everything from attaching cameras to pigeons to experimenting with kites, electric currents, and parachutes to get the best shot. Aerial photography became quite popular during WWII, but in those early days, before the invention of drones, wedding photography remained grounded.

Since the FAA opened airspace for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for commercial use, drone wedding photography has been a rising trend and is fast becoming a standard for preserving wedding memories. Wedding photographers who offer drone photography are likely to see an increase in business.

From pre-wedding to reception, drone wedding photography is changing the way couples cherish their special day. Wedding planners and couples alike will look to you as a professional photographer to enhance their wedding memories with gorgeous aerial perspectives that add to the narrative of their wedding experience.

Here are 5 helpful tips for aspiring drone wedding photographers:

1. Choosing an Appropriate Venue: Some major venues have rules against drones on the property. Be sure your clients have checked the drone regulations for their chosen venue.
2. FAA Rules and Regulations: A venue may approve drone photography but may not be aware that it lies within a no-fly zone. Check restrictions and keep up to date via the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) website to avoid costly fines and possible jail time.
3. Insurance Coverage: Drones are expensive, so it is always a great idea to have proper insurance coverage for equipment mishaps. PPA offers its members a great drone equipment insurance option; learn more here.
4. Prepare Your Clients: The presence of drones can be disruptive if not handled properly. Noise and safety concerns for guests should be discussed. Another point to mention to clients is that weather can be a factor in whether or not the drone flies. Scheduling pre-wedding shoots far in advance helps to mitigate such concerns.
5. Plan Your Shots: As you would for static wedding photography, plan for the techniques you’ll be using; stop-motion, time lapse, and hyperlapse techniques are creative ways to separate your work from your competition, but need to be properly planned, especially when using drones.

Drone wedding photography is on an exciting climb with many more techniques and regulations emerging daily. If you want to learn more about drone photography, PPA's drone knowledge center is an invaluable resource. If you want to become an expert, PPA has a rigorous certification program for aspiring drone photographers. And, of course, stay abreast of all FAA rules and regulations concerning small drone usage. And be sure to join PPA for more drone education and photography tips!