Hiring a drone photographer? 7 questions to ask first

Aerial photos can make a property, a venue or a construction project make sense in a single frame. They also come with rules that ground photography does not have. Ask these questions before anyone launches a drone for your business.

This is general information for U.S. businesses. Aviation rules change, so check the Federal Aviation Administration's drone pages at faa.gov for current requirements.

1. Do you hold an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate?

In the United States, flying a small drone for business purposes generally falls under the FAA's Part 107 rules, which require the pilot to hold a Remote Pilot Certificate. It is reasonable to ask to see it. On Lens, pros can list certifications on their profile; a listed certificate is information from the pro, so ask for the document when it matters.

2. Is the location in controlled airspace?

Many areas near airports require authorization before a flight. Pilots often request it through the FAA's LAANC system or FAA DroneZone. Ask the pilot to check your address ahead of time instead of on the day.

3. What is the weather plan?

Wind, rain and low visibility can ground a flight. Agree on a backup date and on what happens to the booking if weather cancels the first one.

4. How do you handle people, roads and neighbors?

Ask how the pilot plans the flight around people, traffic and neighboring properties. A careful answer is a good sign. "Don't worry about it" is not.

5. What exactly do we get?

Get the number of edited stills, the number and length of video clips, resolution and file formats in writing. The Lens drone package starts at $499 for 20 aerial shots and 2 short clips per location, which gives you a baseline to compare.

6. Do we have property permission?

If you are shooting a property you do not own, such as a venue or a client's building, get the owner's permission for commercial photography before the date.

7. How can we use the footage?

Confirm the usage license covers the places you plan to publish, including paid ads. See our usage rights guide for the questions to ask.

Where aerials pay off most

• Land, ranch and large-lot real estate where size is the selling point
• Construction progress updates for owners and lenders
• Venues, campuses and resorts where layout matters
• Establishing shots for brand videos

Browse the drone and aerial category to compare pilots by the work in their portfolios.