How to Start a Drone Photography Business

Drone photography involves the taking of photos or videos by an autonomous UAV or one controlled by a person who manually operates it via remote control. Commercial drone photography plays a role across a wide range of industries including real estate, farming, films, advertising, and much more.

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Start a drone photography business by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Drone Photography Business
  2. Form your Drone Photography Business into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Drone Photography Business for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Drone Photography Business
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Drone Photography Business
  7. Get Drone Photography Business Insurance
  8. Define your Drone Photography Business Brand
  9. Create your Drone Photography Business Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your drone photography business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Drone Photography Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a drone photography business?

There are many costs associated with opening a drone photography business. Besides the normal costs of starting any type of business, there are several unique costs for anyone thinking about a drone photography business:

  • UAVs. The biggest cost by far will be your drones. While it is possible to purchase hobby-type drones for below $1000, commercial-quality UAVs can cost more than $10,000. It is very likely you will need more than one drone.
  • Computer and software. Depending on whether you intend to shoot photographs, videos, or both, you will need the right editing software. Most drones come with their own software packages, but many aerial photographers prefer Adobe Photoshop for stills and Adobe Premier Pro for videos. Both programs are available on a subscription basis for around $50 a month. Of course, you will need a computer to run the editing software. If you do not already have a suitable computer, expect to spend around $1500.
  • Certification. If you don’t already have a Remote Pilot Certificate, you will need to get one. The testing fee is $150, but unless you already have a solid understanding of airspace regulations and aeronautical knowledge, you will probably want to take a prep course. There are many online and in person prep courses available ranging from less than a $100 for a basic online course to well over $1000 for in-person instruction.
  • Website and hosting. A good website is critical for marketing your business. Consider a professionally designed site costing up to $1000. Hosting expenses are minimal.
  • Insurance. Insurance is critical to protect your expensive equipment and your business from litigation. Insurance costs vary depending on the level of protection that you desire.
  • Transportation. You will need reliable transportation which provide enough space to transport your drones. Transportation costs vary.

What are the ongoing expenses for a drone photography business?

Maintaining, repairing, and updating drones and software is the largest ongoing expense for those who work out of their homes. If your drone photography business operates out of a building or studio, you will also have to consider the costs of rent and office maintenance as ongoing expenses. Whether or not you have employees can also increase the expenses of your business.

Who is the target market?

Real estate agents, people who are selling a piece of property or a boat, advertising companies, and even local athletes are all potential clients. Your ideal client is anyone who wants to showcase something in a spectacularly unique way using aerial photography or videography.

How does a drone photography business make money?

A drone photography business can choose the best type of pricing policies to fit their clients. Some drone photography businesses charge their clients a set price for a complete package which includes everything from shooting to editing. Other businesses choose to charge an hourly rate for the shoot and a separate editing fee. A few drone photography businesses choose to provide only the raw footage to their clients.

How much can you charge customers?

You fees should reflect the valuable service you provide. Drone photography businesses usually charge between $150 – $450 per hour of shooting and around $100 per hour of editing. Package deals typically start around $500 and increase depending on the services desired by the client.

How much profit can a drone photography business make?

The Drone Training HQ suggests the average salary for a drone photography business is from $50,000 – $60,000 a year with some pilots making much more.

How can you make your business more profitable?

There are may additional ways to earn money with your drones. Aerial mapping and aerial inspections are two great ways to generate more money. In addition, there are opportunities to be had in local media and even search and rescue.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your drone photography business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your drone photography business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

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FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our How to Start a Business guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best Business Formation Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a drone photography business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

For information about local licenses and permits:

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Service Agreement

Drone photography businesses should consider requiring clients to sign a service agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership. Here is an example service agreement.

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your drone photography business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.

Certificate of Occupancy

A drone photography business can be operated out of a physical location. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease a location:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a drone photography business.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
  • If you plan to purchase or build a location:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for you business’ location to ensure your drone photography business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Drone Photography Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Drone Photography Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a drone photography business

Your own website is your best marketing tool, but think about advertising through third-party sites like Amazon Services or ThumbTack.com or even specialized site such as HiFlyPhotography.com. You may want contact potential clients within your niche through direct mail.

How to keep customers coming back

Concentrating on marketing in your local area and providing better than expected service to your clients will create a buzz for your business. A social media page consisting of fascinating pictures that your drones have taken and your business has edited is a great way to catch the eyes and interest of potential clients.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

A drone photography business is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who wants to make good money by combining their love of photography or videography along with their passion for flying. There is a high technical barrier to the business, so it is critical that potential business owners are dedicated to achieving a high degree of technical fluency. A drone photography business usually requires a lot of traveling to clients, so you will need to be comfortable with possible overnight travel.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a drone photography business?

A drone business owner spends most of the time running the back-end of the company. This involves marketing, speaking with potential clients and current clients, securing permission for flights, filing paperwork, and handling the billing. Only a small percentage of work time is dedicated to operating a drone and editing photographs or video footage.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful drone photography business?

Since August 29, 2016, in order to legally fly a commercial drone in the US, a pilot needs to have a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. This requires passing the FAA Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test with a 70% or better. In addition to possessing a Remote Pilot Certificate, a background in photography, videography, and editing is essential. Just like any other business, having knowledge about marketing and back-office procedures is important.

What is the growth potential for a drone photography business?

The growth potential is huge. There are currently only around 3000 certified commercial drone pilots in the United States, yet the popularity of aerial photography continues to grow. With the high level of technical knowledge required to enter into this field, the opportunities for work will continue to outpace the availability of licensed drone pilots to accept the work.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a drone photography business?

Invest in the best training and equipment you can afford to help you stand out from your competitors. Your clients will expect high-quality results, so you better have the technology and skills to deliver it to them. Choose a single niche, like real estate photography or extreme sport videography to allow yourself to focus your equipment and marketing budgets on a single market segment to reduce costs. Always deliver better and faster than you promised.

How and when to build a team

A team can help you complete the different duties of a drone photography business while letting you focus on the parts of the business which best suit you. For example, if you are most interested in taking the photos, but you are not confident in your post-production editing, you may want hire an expert or outsource your editing to a professional. You should build the rest of your team slowly, as needed.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading