Aerial photography is all the rage right now, allowing us to see and showcase construction, real estate, and more in a unique way. But did you know that the first drone was actually created back in 1907? As you can imagine we've come a long way in drone technology since then and we're more aware of what these machines can do. Whether that be for military use or commercial use we are learning and adapting every day to create a safer environment while still capturing a rare perspective for you. With all that in mind, here are a few things to think about if you're interested in drone photography for your business:

1. You need a certified pilot. If you are creating products for commercial use, your pilot must be part 107 certified to avoid any fines or fees and you'll need to work with the pilot to find an authorized location to shoot. For instance, if you are five miles away or fewer from an airport, it will be difficult to get permission to fly there. These types of airspaces could be classified Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, or Delta, and can, at times, be impossible to get authorization to fly in. In these circumstances, it is out of both the pilot's and the company's control and another location will need to be chosen.
2. You need to plan ahead. The drone pilot will need a minimum of one week's lead time to get approval for a project. It can even take longer than a week, but most projects take approximately that. If you want aerial photos, you need to think ahead.
3. You need to keep distractions minimal. Safety is of the utmost concern with a part 107 certified pilot, and that means maintaining a distraction-free environment. For example, if the pilot was getting ready to launch the UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) and some on-lookers were interested in and asking the pilot questions about what s/he was doing, this can be distracting. As the point-person on the shoot we'd ask that you take control and kindly ask these folks to step back and let the pilot do what they were trained to do, and to do it safely.

Understanding some of these small rules will not only help you but will also help the pilot make sure everyone is safe when you fly your unmanned aircraft. Plus, it will ultimately provide you with the best possible end result: stunning, unique, bird's-eye-view photographs.

About Jared

Jared is a Media Producer here at IFC Studios and it's his job as a certified drone pilot to make sure we're staying in legal airspace and as far away from curious birds as possible. In his spare time he likes to play with cats and...you guessed it...take photographs.