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Flying drones near Waikiki: the best spots for photographers

Posted by Dronerator

Next up in our “Ask Drone Girl” series is about flying drones near Waikiki. If you have a question for Drone Girl, contact her here.

I will be in Waikiki for work at the end of next month, and I was wondering if you could recommend any specific places I should look at photographing with my new drone? Also, if there are any specific requirements for flying around the island/water? Still getting used to flying beyond my line of sight and wanted to use this opportunity to get more comfortable and see some cool stuff!

Waikiki, which is one of the key tourism areas on the island of Oahu, offers incredible aerial photography opportunities. In fact, it was the first place I went after getting my hands on the DJI Air 3S! However, flying drones in Hawaii as a whole comes with some strict regulations. Let me break down both the best spots for flying drones on Oahu (and specifically in Waikiki), and the rules to keep you flying legally.

Here’s a reel I shot on Oahu (though this was mostly around the North Shore):

A quick disclaimer on drone line of sight requirements

Before we talk about great spots for flying drones near Waikiki, I first need to address something important in your question. You mentioned wanting to get more comfortable “flying beyond my line of sight” – but here’s the thing: flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) is illegal under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations unless you have a specific waiver, which requires extensive documentation and approval.

Under Part 107 (if you’re flying commercially) and even under recreational guidelines, you must keep your drone within visual line of sight at all times. This means you need to be able to see your drone with your own eyes (not through the camera feed) throughout the entire flight. So rather than getting comfortable with BVLOS flying, focus on maximizing what you can capture while staying legal and keeping your drone in sight.

Hawaii-specific drone regulations

Though the FAA regulates the skies, Hawaii regulates what happens on the ground, which means prohibiting drones from launching in certain areas. Here are some rules and recommendations for staying both within the law and just generally being a respectful pilot in and around Waikiki.

State parks and beaches: Drones are prohibited from taking off, landing, or operating within all Hawaii state parks. This is a big one because some of the most iconic spots in the Waikiki area, such as Diamond Head State Monument, are state-managed.

Airport proximity: Honolulu International Airport isn’t far from Waikiki. Check with a B4UFly approved service provider or Aloft before every flight to ensure you’re not in controlled airspace.

Respect and privacy: Hawaii takes privacy seriously. Avoid flying over private property without permission, and be especially mindful of residential areas and people on beaches.

Wildlife: Keep significant distance from wildlife, especially sea turtles and monk seals. Disturbing protected species (whether or not a drone is involved!) can result in serious fines.

The best drone photography spots near Waikiki

Now with that in mind, here’s the answer to your actual question: the best drone photography spots near Waikiki:

Diamond Head Crater

While you cannot fly within Diamond Head State Monument, you can film Hawaii’s iconic crater from approved locations nearby. The crater’s distinctive profile against the ocean makes it so that it’s almost more scenic to film it from afar. Be sure to stay outside park boundaries and maintain line of sight.

Magic Island (Ala Moana Beach Park)

This man-made peninsula offers beautiful sunset shots with Waikiki’s skyline in the background. Check current regulations as park rules can change, and arrive early to scout your takeoff location. The contrast between the calm lagoon and open ocean creates compelling compositions.

Kaka’ako Waterfront Park

This urban park area can provide interesting perspectives of Honolulu’s developing skyline. The industrial-meets-beach vibe offers unique photo opportunities you won’t find in typical tourist shots.

Offshore Waikiki Beach (with caution)

Flying over the ocean from public beach access points can yield gorgeous shots of the turquoise water and surfers. However, you must maintain visual line of sight, respect beachgoers’ privacy and stay aware of your battery life. Keep a safe altitude and distance from people in the water.

As always, rules can change (and they might be different at the time of your flight versus the time you’ve read this). Check official government websites — or simply in-person signage — for the most up-to-date information.

Pro tips for flying drones near Waikiki

Golden hour is your friend: Light is almost always at its best during sunrise and sunset. In Waikiki, the colors bouncing off the water and buildings create magic that midday sun can’t match.

Check wind conditions: Trade winds in Hawaii can be stronger than you expect, especially at higher altitudes. Start low and test conditions before committing to complex shots.

Backup your footage: This is good practice whenever you’re traveling with a drone. Don’t wait until you’re back home to transfer files. Memory card failures happen, luggage gets lost, etc. Backup your footage while still in Hawaii.

Consider a spotter: Having someone help you maintain visual line of sight while you focus on camera work makes flights safer and more productive.

Waikiki and Oahu offer phenomenal drone photography opportunities, but staying legal and respectful ensures everyone can continue enjoying these privileges. Focus on mastering your skills within visual line of sight – you’ll be amazed at what you can capture while following the rules.

Happy flying, and enjoy those Hawaiian skies!

The post Flying drones near Waikiki: the best spots for photographers appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Your guide to flying drones in San Francisco (legally): tips from Eric Thurber

Posted by Dronerator

San Francisco is a drone photographer’s dream. It’s got iconic bridges, rolling fog, dramatic coastlines and urban landscapes. But it’s also one of the most regulated airspaces in the country, with layers of federal, state and local rules that can confuse even experienced pilots. So how does one go about flying drones in San Francisco?

I sat down with prolific aerial photographer Eric Thurber (you can find him on Instagram @thurber_shots). He spent years mastering the art of flying legally in San Francisco while building a 120,000-follower Instagram presence and landing commercial clients like the Golden State Warriors, Sky Elements and Waymo. If anyone knows how to navigate SF’s drone regulations, it’s Thurber. And for what it’s worth, Thurber admits that a good chunk of his days are spent filling out waiver requests and dealing with various jurisdictions.

In our complete interview, we talk about all sorts of things: growing your career in drones, maximizing your Instagram presence, equipment and navigating the laws. Read it here. But because I have so many readers in San Francisco, I wanted to break out some San Francisco-specific drone flying tips.

Here’s what he shared about flying drones in San Francisco, what you need to know and how to stay on the right side of the law.

Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island

These two islands just off of San Francisco, Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island, rank among Thurber’s top recommendations for drone pilots.

There’s a new park on Treasure Island worth checking out, and the top of the island where people park offers excellent vantage points.

And in fact, Treasure Island has one of really just a handful of FRIAs (that’s short for FAA-Recognized Identification Areas). That’s SF Drone School located on 13th St and affiliated with the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

However, there’s an important caveat: “Of course, you have a no-fly zone at the top — you’ve got to be careful of that,” Thurber warned. “DJI used to geofence it, but no longer does, so people can go zipping over that even when they shouldn’t.”

Sausalito

Want stunning, legal shots of the Golden Gate Bridge? Head across the bay to Sausalito.

“Sausalito is fantastic if you want shots of the Golden Gate Bridge that are nice and legal,” Thurber said. “You can take off right from the boardwalk. As long as you’re transparent with people walking by, they’re usually really good about it. Go up, keep it below 400 feet — your legal limit — and you get these shots of the Golden Gate Bridge that are wonderful.”

Important note: Sausalito has a city ordinance prohibiting drone flights after dark. This is exactly the kind of local regulation that can trip up even FAA-certified pilots.

He outlines even more spots in his video guide to the top locations to film with a drone in San Francisco.

Understanding San Francisco’s regulatory maze

Flying drones in San Francisco isn’t just about following FAA rules. You’re dealing with multiple layers of jurisdiction, and Thurber has learned to navigate all of them through years of experience (and plenty of conversations with officials). Here’s what you should do before flying drones in San Francisco:

Check for TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions)

“Most responsible pilots are going to open up their airspace app like Airaware and look for a TFR,” Thurber says. “If there’s a TFR, flat out, unless you have a waiver, don’t do it.”

TFRs are non-negotiable. Even Thurber, who has built relationships with the Department of Homeland Security and gets his drones whitelisted for major events, won’t fly if there’s a TFR in place. “If there’s a TFR, even with DHS approval, it doesn’t matter — you don’t do it.”

The SF Parks complication

Here’s where things get tricky: “SF Parks aren’t necessarily labeled on the apps, so you have to be careful,” Thurber said.

San Francisco Parks and Recreation has jurisdiction over city parks, and you need permits to fly from park property. But Thurber shared a fascinating nuance that many pilots don’t know about. Consider a place you’d want to fly drones over, like San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts.

“That’s city property, so you can’t fly in the park without permits from SF Parks and Rec,” he said.

But here’s the nuance: if you take off across the street, down the block, you can fly over. You’re now in the jurisdiction of the FAA and not the parks.

The key distinction? Parks dictate where you take off and land from, but the FAA controls the airspace above.

“Parks legally dictate where you take off and land from. They can say you cannot do that, and legally, you cannot,” Thurber said. “But if you fly from outside and use good judgment — I’m not blatant about it— that’s different. There are nuances.”

Building relationships with local authorities

One of Thurber’s secrets to success has been building relationships with the various agencies that regulate drone flight in San Francisco.

“It’s taken time to build those relationships, and they’re necessary for commercial work,” Thurber said.

His contacts include the FAA’s local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), the Department of Homeland Security, SF Parks and Recreation and even local police (though he notes they “really don’t have anything to do with drones”).

Before flying any major event, Thurber reaches out to his DHS contact, who whitelists his drone. But he emphasizes: if there’s a TFR, even those relationships don’t override it.

“The regulations exist for a reason, and working within them actually opens more doors than it closes,” he said.

Commercial vs. recreational drone flying in SF

Of course, there’s a significant difference between flying for fun and flying for commercial purposes in San Francisco.

“If you are doing commercial work, you absolutely have to be legal,” Thurber said. “Working with the City of San Francisco is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. But for hobbyist purposes, it’s relatively easy to fly in San Francisco. It’s much, much harder for commercial purposes.”

In fact, despite years of experience and $2 million in drone insurance through Skywatch AI, Thurber has yet to personally get a permit approved from the City of San Francisco for his own projects.

“Their requirements are absolutely stringent and unrealistic,” he says, noting that the city demands coverage guarantees that even his insurance company won’t underwrite, such as coverage for every person the drone might fly over.

Thurber’s approach to drone regulations was clear: follow the rules, educate yourself and work with authorities rather than against them.

“The FAA is in the business of educating you, not busting you,” he said. “If you work with them, everything works out.”

He’s learned this lesson firsthand. Early in his drone journey, he flew illegally over the Bay Bridge — a shot that went viral but ultimately taken down from the Internet the FAA’s request. “Subsequently, everything has shifted — I get waivers now, and if I can’t do it legally, I won’t do that type of thing.”

Resources and tips for flying drones in San Francisco

Essential apps and tools:

Eric Thurber’s YouTube Channel: Eric Thurber has created several videos specifically addressing these questions about flying in San Francisco. Check out his YouTube channel (Thurber_shots) for location-specific guides and regulation tutorials as well as his Instagram.

Key takeaways:

  1. Always check for TFRs before flying — they’re non-negotiable.
  2. Be aware of park boundaries and take off from outside park property when necessary.
  3. Understand that local ordinances (like Sausalito’s no-night-flying rule) add another layer to FAA regulations.
  4. Stay below 400 feet when flying recreationally.
  5. Be transparent with people around you when taking off from public areas.
  6. Keep away from geofenced areas even if your drone no longer enforces them.
  7. Commercial work requires significantly more permits and insurance.
  8. When in doubt, work with authorities rather than against them.

Want even more? Catch a clip of our conversation over at my own YouTube channel or directly below:

And don’t stop with me! Follow Eric too! For more detailed information about specific locations and techniques, follow Eric Thurber on Instagram @thurber_shots or check out his tutorials on YouTube.

The post Your guide to flying drones in San Francisco (legally): tips from Eric Thurber appeared first on The Drone Girl.

How a retired IT guy became San Francisco’s most sought-after drone pilot

Posted by Dronerator

I (re)discovered drone pilot and photographer Eric Thurber the way many San Franciscans discover hidden gems in their city — scrolling through Reddit. His stunning shot of the Golden Gate Bridge stopped me mid-scroll, and when I learned it wasn’t even captured with a drone, I knew I had to talk to him.

What followed was a fascinating conversation with one of the Bay Area’s most successful drone photographers, whose Instagram feed @thurber_shots has amassed roughly 120,000 followers thus far and has attracted top-tier clients like the Golden State Warriors, Waymo, UCSF and even drone light show company Sky Elements.

What makes Thurber’s story particularly compelling is that this wasn’t the plan. A retired IT professional, he turned a photography hobby into a thriving second career — one where the work now comes to him rather than the other way around. But it didn’t happen overnight, and it wasn’t without lessons learned the hard way.

Here’s our interview, which you can catch in video form or read below. (Editor’s note: this interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity).

Photographing iconic landmarks — without a drone

Sally French: Let’s start with that Golden Gate Bridge shot that initially caught my attention. You used a 360 camera, not a drone. What inspired that creative approach?

Eric Thurber: The beauty of a 360 camera is that in post-production, it’s what you can do that matters. You’re capturing everything, so you don’t have to think about composition while shooting. I took a suction cup, stuck it to the roof of my car and drove across the bridge. Later, I could turn it and manipulate it however I wanted.

It’s a great way to showcase the Golden Gate Bridge in an amazing visual format without breaking the law — because you can’t fly drones over the bridge. A lot of people do, but I’m glad I don’t.

Following the laws (which are especially tricky in San Francisco)

SF: You’re clearly committed to flying legally, and your video stood out to me because you don’t really see many interesting shots taken in between the Golden Gate Bridge just because it’s illegal to fly drones there.

Now speaking of — flying legally isn’t always easy in San Francisco, which has so many regulations. Can you talk about navigating the regulations?

ET: I could talk about this stuff all day because I live in the regs. Half my days are spent filling out waiver requests and dealing with the city, dealing with parks and rec, all of that stuff.

The thing is, the FAA is in the business of educating you, not busting you. If you work with them, everything works out. I’m very familiar with DHS, the police — who really don’t have anything to do with drones but I know them — the FAA, the local FSDO, all of that. I carry Part 107.145 and Part 107.39 waivers for operations over people and moving vehicles, plus $2 million in drone insurance through Skywatch AI. I have whole coverage, the whole thing.

But getting permits from the City of San Francisco for commercial work? That’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. In fact, I have yet to personally get a permit approved from them because their requirements are absolutely stringent and unrealistic. They want me to guarantee coverage for every person that the drone flies over from the city government, and Skywatch won’t underwrite it.

SF: Is San Francisco more strict than other cities you’ve worked in?

ET: It’s strict in a sense if you’re going to do commercial work. If I wanted to shoot Outside Lands, for example? I couldn’t get the permit through the city. Now, I didn’t technically have to get that permit because I’m not making money directly — I’m just flying for me and I might share it — but that’s the catch-22.

Launching a wildly successful career in drone photography

SF: Speaking of commercial work, how did you turn this into a career? You’re a retired IT guy — this wasn’t exactly the plan, was it?

ET: Not at all! My photography goes back many, many years. I have a site called Eric’s Media that shows all my regular still shots. Then I got into drone photography, and over the years, I got into taking drone video — that’s where I really never looked back.

Instagram is where it all happened. The Golden State Warriors found me there — they reached out through Instagram. You’ll see my stuff on their social feeds or on the Jumbotron. I’ve done quite a bit of shooting for them. I’ve also worked with Waymo, UCSF, several local commercials. Sometimes I’m out with film crews, sometimes I’m doing one-offs or handling the whole production. I let the work come to me. I really don’t go out and hustle it. But once you make a name for yourself, the work really starts coming in.

SF: What was the turning point? Was there one video that changed everything?

ET: Yes, and it’s gone now because the FAA made me pull it. This was years ago when I was new to drones. I flew from Yerba Buena Island right over the top of the Bay Bridge’s Western Span. I’d seen NBC do something similar during a game and thought, “I’m gonna do this too.” Turned out, man, that was wildly illegal.

It got reported and went viral. The FAA said “pull that, you know.” But they were educational about it. Subsequently, everything has shifted. I get waivers now, and if I can’t do it legally, I won’t do that type of thing.

But here’s the thing: people will say on Instagram you need a shot to go viral. While that’s true, you need several of them if you want to carry momentum. One viral video will get you 10, 20, 30,000 followers. But you need to be consistent — posting three or four times a week with quality content. It’s a grind. I’ll say that. It’s a lot of work.

SF: Let’s talk about content. What’s your favorite content to create?

ET: Time lapses of fog — I love fog. The hyper lapses are what really launched me, to be honest. Those are the ones that really took off. They’re hard to do. Not a lot of people can do them with the effort that goes into it.

SF: Is there a trick to making a great time lapse?

ET: Yeah, it’s involved. I put up a video on it because I get so many questions. Essentially, over five to fifteen minutes, you’re going to take a series of 200 to 300 shots at one to three second intervals. Then you’re going to put them all together in Lightroom, process them, then they go out to your video editor. There’s a whole thing that has to happen for the way I do them, because I want superb quality.

You can shoot a hyperlapse straight from the drone and post it. That’s up to you. But if you want the stuff to look the way I post it, you have to go through all those other steps. It’s very involved, but the results speak for themselves.

SF: For aspiring drone photographers, what’s your advice for breaking into the commercial space? So many people do this for fun and want to make it a career.

ET: It’s difficult. It really depends on what you want to do. I hate to use myself as an example because I had to have a lot of viral videos and then people came to me. I wasn’t even necessarily looking.

But there are great opportunities out there for people who want to get into real estate, that kind of thing. The biggest thing you could do is stay consistent. If you’re posting on social and you take long breaks, it’s going to cost you. You’ll lose likes, lose engagement.

Videos really make a difference. If you’re shooting photos, you’re really going to be stuck in a pack that’s already saturated. If you’re doing videos, you’re breaking out of that pack a little bit. But I’ve noticed a lot of photographers aren’t interested in just doing video — it’s a catch-22. Consistency, I would say consistency is the best thing.

SF: Does it make sense to specialize? Some people say focus on construction or oil and gas. But even within artistic photography, should you specialize in real estate or cruise ships or drone light shows?

ET: What you’re speaking to is a niche, and definitely everybody needs to have their own. For me, I consider a lot of what I do fine art video — romanticizing traffic, romanticizing the city. These are topics people like to talk about too, which increases engagement. I just let everybody comment. I don’t limit anybody. Whether they like what I post or not, that’s fine. All it’s going to do is increase your engagement.

I love bridges, not just the Golden Gate. Some of my biggest posts are of the Vallejo Bridge, the bridge out in Pittsburgh. I’m almost always on the 6X cam on my Mavic 4 Pro or the 7X on my Mavic 3 Pro because I love compression shots. And I’ll hit the same spot three or four times, maybe even five, before I get something I’m happy with. I’m a true perfectionist.

Top gear for drone pilots

SF: What equipment are you working with these days?

ET: I have two Mavic 4 Pros, a Mavic 3 Pro Cine, and the Avata 2 for FPV work — though I rarely fly that. FPV pilots are a whole different breed. They’re very, very good at what they do, and it takes years to learn. It’s all very manual, not like just picking up your satellite drone and flying around.

Most of what I do is stuff around the city or whatever I’m commissioned to do, and I’ll use my Mavics for that. The Mavic 3 Pro has the parachute and the prop guard and all of my waivers tied to it, so most of the time I’m using that for professional work. I also shoot with a Sony α7S III, GoPro, DJI Osmo Action 5, and use various ND filters and the DJI Mic 2 for audio.

SF: Any dream spots left to fly?

ET: I’ve hit them, to be honest. I work for my shots, and I’ve gotten them. I love bridges, I love compression, and I keep going back to the same spots until I get exactly what I want. Some of my favorite videos are fog videos — those time lapses are what really launched me. When you romanticize the city the way I do, you hit these spots over and over until the light is perfect, the fog is perfect, everything comes together.

SF: Any last parting words of advice?

ET: Just be consistent, follow the rules and do something a little bit different. There are a lot of people locally who do the same shots — we were all in that group, chasing the same dozen or so shots. I broke out of that because I wanted to do something different. I stopped looking at what other local photographers were doing and started looking at people in other cities for inspiration. That’s where I get my ideas now, and some of my own too.

Eric Thurber flies with DJI Mavic 4 Pro, Mavic 3 Pro, Mini 4 Pro, and Avata 2, along with a suite of professional camera gear including the Sony α7S III, GoPro Hero, DJI Osmo Action 5 and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Follow his work on Instagram @thurber_shots and YouTube @thurber_shots for tutorials and behind-the-scenes content from one of San Francisco’s most dedicated aerial photographers. Check out Eric Thurber‘s full photography portfolio at EricMedia.com.

The post How a retired IT guy became San Francisco’s most sought-after drone pilot appeared first on The Drone Girl.

6 drone photos from France to prepare for the 2024 Olympics

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The Paris 2024 Olympics are coming this week. Yes, the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony is happening today in what might be one of the most memorable moments in Olympic history, ever.

That’s because — for the first time in the history of the Olympic Summer Games — the Opening Ceremony will not take place in a stadium. This Opening Ceremony will occur on the Seine.

From there, many events are set for some iconic French sporting venues. For example, equestrian and modern pentathlon is happening at Château de Versailles, while beach volleyball will be held at the Eiffel Tower Stadium which — exactly as it sounds — is at the base of the Eiffel Tower.

Now most of these places are no drone zones while the 2024 Olympics play out. But what do they look like during non-Olympic times? And in theme with this blog, what do they look like from an aerial view?

To get you in the Olympic spirit, The Drone Girl put together a collection of stunning aerial photos of Paris, all taken by various drone photographers.

@sebastianmzh

Sebastian, a Swiss photographer, shot this incredible drone shot of The Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. The Arc is located at the center of a large, busy, 12-lane roundabout called Place Charles de Gaulle. 

@philsutphin

An Eastern Sierra-based photographer, Phil Sutphin captured two of Paris’s most recognizable structures (Effile Tower and Arc de Triomphe) with his DJI Mavic 2 Pro.

@o.m.3103

This drone shot, captured on a DJI Mavic 3 by Olivier Morin, showcases Paris in all its summer glory. The only thing missing? The Olympic rings!

@danieleragazzini

Is there anything more romantic than Paris in the night? This drone photo taken by Daniele Ragazzini captures the Siene River and Eiffel Tower.

@didilemme

This summer-perfect drone shot by French pilot Didilemme Audrey wasn’t taken in Paris but in Brittany, just a 2-hour train ride away.

@skydronefilm

This short drone video of Paris from Sky Drone Film is the next best thing to being there during the Olympics!

What to know about watching the 2024 Olympics

Whether you’re watching in-person or from home, here’s what you need to know about the 2024 Olympics.

Watching the Olympics at home

The Olympics kick off on July 26 on NBC, USA Network, and a Spanish broadcast on Telemundo.

As always, the Olympics will feature a spectacular lineup of events, showcasing the world’s best talents. The program will then run through Sunday, August 11. And even if you don’t have cable, you can stream the Olympics live with Peacock.

Watching the Olympics in Paris

2024 Olympics Eiffel Tower Stadium

And then there’s the dream: watching the Olympics in Paris. Assuming you’re okay contending with high Paris hotel prices this summer and navigating the crowds (and Paris public transit), the rest of the trip should be a dream.

But if you want to capture the Olympics via drone, don’t count on it. Flying your own drone in Paris during the Olympics is prohibited. All of Paris is a no-fly zone for drones, and flying one is punishable by imprisonment or a fine.

That said, there is another drone-critical reason to head to Paris this summer beyond the 2024 Olympics. That’s an epic drone show over at Disneyland Paris. Called Disney Electrical Sky Parade, fans are saying it’s the best drone show they’ve seen, period. It airs nightly over Sleeping Beauty Castle.

And guess what? Drone Girl herself will be there! Yes, part of The Drone Girl team is headed to Paris to document Disney Electrical Sky Parade, in-person! Get ready for footage of the whole occasion to come later this summer!

The post 6 drone photos from France to prepare for the 2024 Olympics appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Channel Fourth of July spirit with these drone light shows

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The Fourth of July is synonymous with hot dogs, parades, and fireworks. But it’s on its way to becoming known as the day of drone light shows, too.

Particularly given environmental and noise pollution concerns grow around fireworks (not to mention the fire hazard amidst one of the driest, hottest summers yet), drone light shows are becoming an increasingly popular, safer alternative. Beyond the fact that shows use synchronized drones to create stunning visuals without the pollution and noise, they’re also more detailed than fireworks.

We’re willing to say that pretty soon, drone light shows may become synonymous with The Fourth of July, if it isn’t already. One of the biggest drone light show companies, Sky Elements, says it’s scheduled to fly more than 35 Fourth of July drone shows across 12 states. Its smallest Fourth of July drone show will have just 100 drones, and its largest will have 500.

Sky Elements is famous for being the first drone light show to get FAA approval to attach fireworks to drones. But there are hundreds of drone light show companies out there — many of which claim their own innovations to their name, including record-setting drone shows by size.

In honor of July Fourth, we rounded up some of our personal favorite drone light show videos on Instagram to share with you. It’s not the same as watching a drone show in person, but it’s still pretty neat. And hey, if you want to catch a drone light show in person, check out our guide to the top public drone shows of 2024, including a list of some scheduled for later this year.

But before you do, check out these delightful drone show videos:

@lunalitedroneshow

For International Reggae Day, the LunaLite drone show used over 500 drones to create this hyper-realistic image of Bob Marley.

@skyelementsdrones

Sky Elements was The Drone Girl, Sally French’s first ever drone show. They put on this American themed drone show in California.

@skymagicdroneshows

Drone light shows aren’t just for American celebrations. Sky Magic Drone Show was commissioned by BBC studios for King Charles’ Coronation Concert, flying over Windsor Castle, Cardiff Bay, and the Eden Project.

@fireflydroneshows

Firefly, based in Detroit, Michigan, is one of the best American drone companies that puts on drone light shows. This particular drone show was put on at a theme park in Indiana and celebrates different holidays.

@chicago.explore

Navy Pier in Chicago is known for their summer fireworks. For Chicago’s 107th birthday, they celebrated with a drone light show.

@lumaskyshow

The drone show company Lumasky celebrated the Spring Equinox at Chichén Itzá, Mexico, followed by a 2500-drone light show narrating its history.

@seoul_4k

This drone light show took place in Korea’s capital, Seoul.

@magicdrone.fr

The drone light show company, Magic Drone, created a drone show highlighting the iconic art of the Louvre. Check out that Mona Lisa!

The post Channel Fourth of July spirit with these drone light shows appeared first on The Drone Girl.

7 killer shark photos from a drone ahead of Shark Week

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Get ready for Shark Week 2024, starting on July 7th on the Discovery Channel. This annual event is always a hit, offering a mix of thrilling shark footage (often shot on a drone) and educational content.

This year, actor and professional wrestler John Cena will host Shark Week 2024. The program will air on the Discovery Channel from Sunday, July 7 to Saturday, July 13. And even if you don’t have cable, you can stream Shark Week live with Hulu + Live TV.

To get you in the Shark Week spirit, The Drone Girl has put together a collection of stunning shark photos captured by drone photographers from around the world. These images show sharks in their natural habitat from breathtaking aerial perspectives.

@hamptonsdroneart

Joanna Steidle, a professional drone pilot based in the Hamptons, Long Island, New York, took this top down photo of a shark paving her way through a school of menhaden fish. Joanna is no stranger to epic shark shots. She hopes the stunning images she captures with her drone will educate others about the importance of underwater ecosystems, particularly the feared and misunderstood sharks.

Photo courtesy of Joanna Steidle

@jayobrien_photography

Jay O’Brien is an Australian wildlife and landscape photographer. O’Brien shot this epic shark photo using his DJI Mavic Air 2.

@dronesharkapp

The Drone Shark app is created to inform users of sharks or other wildlife spotted in the area. The app can be used to keep swimmers safe, but also to help drone users capture the perfect shoot. The @dronesharkapp is full of epic drone shots of sharks, mostly around the Australian coastline. This is sure to be a popular account during Shark Week 2024.

@skiesabovephotography

Andrew French is a nature, ocean, and landscape photographer. Head to his Instagram to see an epic use of the pinned feature for main posts. Below is a scalloped hammerhead shark shot on a DJI Mavic 3. Follow Andrew on Instagram to come prepared for Shark Week, as he frequently includes shark facts in his posts.

@adrianserwin

This shark photo shot by Adrian Serwin is for all the thrill seekers out there. Adrian is a filmmaker and photographer who has spent the last 7 years traveling the world mastering the art of photography.

@scott_fairchild

Scott Fairchild’s drone footage shows great white sharks interacting with surfers and swimmers along the California coastline. Scott captured this photo with his DJI Mavic 3.

@ally.photog

Allysha Cartledge is a wildlife and nature photographer who shot this shark 100m off the shore. The blue waters look so inviting, but the presence of the shark makes you think twice about diving in!

The post 7 killer shark photos from a drone ahead of Shark Week appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Northern lights: 5 incredible drone photos show this week’s insane aurora borealis

Posted by Dronerator

This week, skywatchers across the globe have been treated to a dazzling display of the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights. And as the auroras put on a show this week, some intrepid drone photographers have been there to capture it all.

The aurora borealis, a mesmerizing dance of light across the night sky, is a dream subject for many photographers. Drones can offer an even more unique perspective. And sure, there is no shortage of images of northern lights taken ultra-far north, like in Canada or Norway. Seeing lights in the U.S., even in lower states, is far more rare.

Photographing northern lights with a drone

The best photos and videos of the northern lights

It wasn’t difficult to scour the internet in terms of some amazing aerial photos of the northern lights that were taken in the U.S. sometime over the past week. From YouTube to Instagram, here are some amazing pieces of art to check out:

1. Kara Murphy on Instagram

The Drone Girl has long been a fan of Kara Murphy. In fact, you might have found her guide on making the perfect drone hyperlapse useful! This week, she sent her Mavic 3 drone in the skies to capture a scene of the town showing the lit up skies overhead.

2. Evan Brodsky on Instagram

Evan Brodsky is usually photography marine mammals (and has some incredible shots of killer whales and other marine animals taken on his drone). Absolutely check out his account for amazing footage of whales and sharks exhibiting full predator mode. But, the northern lights hit the spot this week.

3. STLaerials on Instagram

True to its name, STLaerials gave us one of its most incredible aerials yet: a hyperlapse shot of St. Louis filed on a drone.

4. Primo Media on YouTube

Imagery generally became more vivid the farther north you headed. Primo Media used a DJI Mavic 2 Pro to film the skies north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

5. Magic of Drone on Instagram

The views were just as vivid in Seattle, too, as captured on the DJI Mini 4 Pro.

Tips for photographing the northern lights with a drone

If you’re ready to send your drone up in the night sky tonight, here’s what you need to know:

Plan your location using forecasts

Track solar activity and aurora forecasts to predict the strength and location of the lights. Aim for a KP index (a measure of geomagnetic activity) of 5 or higher for better visibility.

In general, escape light pollution. Head to the most remote areas you can get. Bonus points for drone pilots, is that remote areas are less likely to have restricted airspace or to leave you in a situation where you’re flying over people. Though, still confirm that it’s legal to fly in said remote spot. Some spots that might seem ideal to fly a drone in, like national parks, actually ban drones.

Have the right gear

While any camera drone can work to photograph northern lights, prioritize one with a good low-light performance sensor and manual shooting capabilities. Consider factors like battery life for extended flights and wind resistance for high-altitude operations.

In general, any of the drones in my guide to the best camera drones will do. Sure, something like the DJI Mavic 3 Pro with its 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera will be one of your best bets, but even cheaper drones, like the sub-$1,000 DJI Mini 4 Pro will do (as evidenced by the shots above).

Then there’s the post-processing gear, too. Image editing software tends to be your friend here. For example, you’ll likely need to apply noise reduction given the high ISO settings (more on that later).

Dial in your camera settings

This is a situation where you’ll likely need to embrace manual mode.

Set your aperture to its widest setting (lowest f-number) to gather maximum light. ISO will likely need to be cranked up (3200 or higher) to compensate for long exposures, but be mindful of noise. Experiment with shutter speeds ranging from 1-12 seconds, depending on the aurora’s intensity.

If your drone offers it, shoot in RAW to enable more flexibility in post-processing.

And beyond the right camera settings, don’t forget about composition. Include interesting foreground elements like landscapes or landmarks for a sense of perspective. As depicted by some of the images above, timelapse and hyperlapse footage can play well with the northern lights.

This allows you to condense a long period of auroral activity into a captivating video, showcasing the ever-changing nature of the lights.

An aerial photo of the northern lights in Finland. (Photo by Getty Images)

What causes the northern lights?

The phenomenon is a result of a powerful geomagnetic storm triggered by a series of solar flares erupting from the sun. These flares hurled charged particles towards Earth, interacting with our planet’s magnetic field and causing the colorful lights to dance across the high-latitude night sky.

Weather teams expect the storm to continue for several more days, offering a rare opportunity to witness this captivating natural wonder. And for drone photographers, the northern lights offer an opportunity to capture aerial art of the night sky’s palette of colors.

    The post Northern lights: 5 incredible drone photos show this week’s insane aurora borealis appeared first on The Drone Girl.

    How to photograph the solar eclipse with a drone (because you’ll want to on April 8!)

    Posted by Dronerator

    The solar eclipse is coming soon, and budding photographers are waiting to document it. But even better than just a standard camera is if you photograph the solar eclipse with a drone. After all, witnessing the sun momentarily veiled by the moon offers a dramatic celestial display.

    On April 8, 2024, a solar eclipse will grace North America, offering drone photographers in the U.S. a prime opportunity to take their eclip se photography to new heights. Here’s everything you need to know about photographing an eclipse (and more specifically, how to photograph the solar eclipse with a drone), as well as the best places in the U.S. to view the eclipse, and when to watch.

    With the right plan, settings and gear, you could create an aerial timelapse, like this epic video from the 2019 solar eclipse.

    How to photograph a solar eclipse

    Before diving into the aerial realm, let’s establish some foundational eclipse photography practices. Regardless of camera choice, safety is paramount.

    Never look directly at the sun

    If there’s one takeaway from this article, it’s purchasing eclipse glasses.

    Don’t look at the sun unprotected, even during a partial eclipse. This will result in damage to your eyesight, including high potential for permanent damage and even blindness.

    To protect your own eyeballs, wear eclipse glasses. These are super cheap — you can typically find a 6-pack of eclipse glasses for less than $10 on big retailer sites like Amazon or B&H Photo. Ensure the pair you buy is ISO-certified to the 12312-2 standard. That means it blocks 100% of harmful ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) radiation while filtering out greater than 99.99% of intense visible light, making it safe for direct solar viewing.

    Get the right gear

    Beyond those glasses for you, you’ll need filters for your camera. And while all photographers will need special filters, drone photographers are up to an especial challenge. Here’s what you’ll need:

    Invest in a solar filter

    Now that you’ve protected your eyes, you’ll need to invest in a proper solar filter specifically designed for your camera lens. These filters dramatically reduce the sun’s intensity and protecting your camera sensor. If you are looking through the rangefinder (though you likely wouldn’t with a drone), this would also be critical in protecting your eyesight. Even still, don’t look through an unfiltered digital camera using its live view, as you’re still focusing concentrated, unfiltered sunlight through your camera’s sensor.

    Depending on your camera, solar filters usually cost between $50 and $100, though you can even find cheaper (aka lower quality) models, which might not be terrible if you intend to use it just once anyway.

    The DJI Mavic 3 Pro with Freewell ND2000 Filter.

    Some solar filters are designed for specific lens sizes. However, other cheaper filters are a bit of a one-size-fits-all situation. With most drones, you’ll likely need to rely on one of those one-size-fits all filters, though there are a few custom filters that DO work for certain drones.

    For example, Freewell’s ND2000 filter is designed specifically for the DJI Mavic 3 Pro and Pro Cine drones. It costs just $30, and can reduce light by 11 stops.

    DJI Mini 4 Pro filters

    What about typical ND filters?

    Neutral density (ND) filters are a commonplace tool used on all sorts of cameras, but especially drone cameras, when shooting in bright situations like direct sunlight. They essentially act like sunglasses for your drone, reducing the light that enters the camera. The right ND filter can dramatically improve your photo quality.

    A solar filter is effectively a type of ND filter, albeit much, much darker. If you don’t have a solar filter (it doesn’t fit your drone’s camera lens, you can’t get your hands on one in time, or it’s just too expensive), your next best bet is filming with the darkest ND filter you have (which means picking one with a higher stop). An 8-stop is good. A 10-stop is better.

    For example, DJI’s standard Mini 4 Pro filter set includes three filters: ND16, ND64 and ND256. With that, an ND16 would reduce light by four stops (or 1/16). Meanwhile, the ND256 filter is a neutral density filter that reduces exposure by 8 stops.

    A solar filter is better, but a ND filter might at least be your best alternative. It’s far more ideal to have a real solar filter (so order one if you can). That said, a 16-stop or higher filter might at least be sufficient (but again, use these at your own risk).

    Pay attention to your camera settings

    A filter alone is not enough to make your photos work. Not only must you pay attention to your camera settings, but you need to get them right in tandem with your filter. When photographing an eclipse, plan to switch your camera to manual mode. And, be prepared to adjust exposure settings based on the phase of the eclipse. 

    When it comes to exposure, bracketing is your friend. The rapid change in light levels during the eclipse demands a flexible approach.

    Take multiple shots at varying exposures to ensure you capture the perfect balance between the darkened sun and the surrounding landscape.

    What about a hyperlapse?

    For an even more mesmerizing effect, consider creating a hyperlapse of the eclipse. A hyperlapse condenses time, allowing you to compress the entire eclipse into a captivating video sequence, perfect for capturing the sun’s dramatic unveiling. Here’s how to tailor a drone hyperlapse specifically for the eclipse:

    • Capture the progression: The key to an eclipse hyperlapse is capturing frames throughout the entire event, from the first sliver of the moon covering the sun to the peak of the eclipse and back.
    • Adjust intervals: During totality, when the sun is completely obscured (within the path of totality), you can extend the capture interval to capture the dramatic change in light on the landscape. Conversely, during the partial phases, shorten the capture interval to capture the moon’s steady progression across the sun’s face. This will create a smooth transition effect in the final video.
    • Consider your flight path: You have a few flight path options. For example, you could program a course lock hyperlapse that tracks the sun’s movement across the sky. That would result in a hyperlapse showcasing the sun seemingly shrinking as the moon covers it.

    You might also ditch shooting the actual sun. Focusing your hyperlapse on the land below could allow you to show the moon’s shadow arriving. Everyone else will have their cameras pointed at the sun anyway, so let your drone get a view that no one else could possibly get. Plus, this angle also enables you to avoid having to shoot your drone straight into the sun!

    solar eclipse photograph with a drone

    Plan your flight

    Now, let’s address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by drone photography during an eclipse. Here’s what you need to consider:

    • Get a spotter to maintain line of sight: Unlike a grounded camera, maintaining a visual on your drone while looking up at the eclipse can be tricky. Consider using a spotter to help you keep track of the drone’s position, especially during critical moments like totality. And, make sure your spotter has those eclipse glasses, too.
    • Have sufficient battery power: Be mindful of battery life, especially during longer eclipses. Factor in pre-flight checks, positioning, and the actual capture time when calculating your flight duration. Remember, you’ll need enough battery power for a safe return landing.
    • Know where it’s legal to fly: Know it’s legal to fly your drone in your planned destination. For example, you’ll need permits if flying within a National Park or other restricted airspace. Not sure if you can legally fly in a specific area? Check out my guide to where you can fly drones legally.
    • Map your flight path: Plan your flight path beforehand, taking into account wind direction and potential obstacles. Aim for a position that offers a clear view of the eclipse and the surrounding landscape you wish to capture.
    • Practice: With a solar eclipse, you get one shot. Before the big day, practice flying your drone in similar conditions, particularly focusing on maintaining control while looking upwards.
    • Consider multiple drones: If you’re looking for an excuse to buy a new drone, this might be it. If you want to have the drone in the air for the full eclipse, you’d need that solar filter. However, a filter is not needed when the sun is completely obscured by the moon during the totality portion of a total solar eclipse. Given that, it might also make sense to have a drone without the filter in the air, too.

    And of course, plan for totality. Depending on where you are, totality might not last for very long (perhaps not even more than a minute or two). Factor this limited window into your overall flight time and — if relevant — your hyperlapse settings.

    The best place to fly drones during the April 2024 solar eclipse

    This specific eclipse on April 8 will be a partial solar eclipse, visible across most of North America. The path of totality, where the moon completely covers the sun, will stretch diagonally from Texas to Maine. Those positioned within this path will witness the most dramatic light changes.

    Expect totality to begin in Texas at 1:27 p.m. local time (CT) and to end in Maine at 3:35 p.m. local time (ET). Outside of the U.S., expect great views on Mexico’s Pacific Coast at about 11:07 a.m. local time (PT). Here are some major cities, and the time of partial eclipse to totality, according to NASA:

    Location Partial Begins Totality Begins Maximum Totality Ends Partial Ends
    Dallas, Texas 12:23 p.m. CDT 1:40 p.m. CDT 1:42 p.m. CDT 1:44 p.m. CDT 3:02 p.m. CDT
    Idabel, Oklahoma 12:28 p.m. CDT 1:45 p.m. CDT 1:47 p.m. CDT 1:49 p.m. CDT 3:06 p.m. CDT
    Little Rock, Arkansas 12:33 p.m. CDT 1:51 p.m. CDT 1:52 p.m. CDT 1:54 p.m. CDT 3:11 p.m. CDT
    Poplar Bluff, Missouri 12:39 p.m. CDT 1:56 p.m. CDT 1:56 p.m. CDT 2:00 p.m. CDT 3:15 p.m. CDT
    Paducah, Kentucky 12:42 p.m. CDT 2:00 p.m. CDT 2:01 p.m. CDT 2:02 p.m. CDT 3:18 p.m. CDT
    Carbondale, Illinois 12:42 p.m. CDT 1:59 p.m. CDT 2:01 p.m. CDT 2:03 p.m. CDT 3:18 p.m. CDT
    Evansville, Indiana 12:45 p.m. CDT 2:02 p.m. CDT 2:04 p.m. CDT 2:05 p.m. CDT 3:20 p.m. CDT
    Cleveland, Ohio 1:59 p.m. EDT 3:13 p.m. EDT 3:15 p.m. EDT 3:17 p.m. EDT 4:29 p.m. EDT
    Erie, Pennsylvania 2:02 p.m. EDT 3:16 p.m. EDT 3:18 p.m. EDT 3:20 p.m. EDT 4:30 p.m. EDT
    Buffalo, New York 2:04 p.m. EDT 3:18 p.m. EDT 3:20 p.m. EDT 3:22 p.m. EDT 4:32 p.m. EDT
    Burlington, Vermont 2:14 p.m. EDT 3:26 p.m. EDT 3:27 p.m. EDT 3:29 p.m. EDT 4:37 p.m. EDT
    Lancaster, New Hampshire 2:16 p.m. EDT 3:27 p.m. EDT 3:29 p.m. EDT 3:30 p.m. EDT 4:38 p.m. EDT
    Caribou, Maine 2:22 p.m. EDT 3:32 p.m. EDT 3:33 p.m. EDT 3:34 p.m. EDT 4:40 p.m. EDT

    Just know that if you haven’t planned your travels to those major areas yet, don’t wait. Hotels are filling up. For example, Chase Travel data shows that Dallas is experiencing a 9.8x year-over-year increase in hotel travel during the solar eclipse. Meanwhile, there’s a 7.3x year-over-year increase in hotel bookings to San Antonio during the solar eclipse.

    Of course, while Texas is a huge spot to watch the eclipse, consider other destinations, such as upstate New York. The Adirondacks sit in the path of totality of the eclipse, creating the perfect setting to view the eclipse.

    The 2012 annular eclipse with west of Lubbock, Texas.

    You might also watch it aboard a cruise (check with your cruise operator to ensure drones are okay to bring aboard). Major cruise ship operators including Princess Cruises and Holland America Line are running cruises with routes specifically around the path of totality. For example, on Holland America’s sailing that departs March 30 from San Diego, cruisers will watch it from the sea outside of Mazatlán, Mexico.

    According to travel-booking company Navan, the most popular eclipse-watching locations on the path include:

    1. Austin, TX
    2. Dallas TX 
    3. Columbus, OH 
    4. Montreal, QB
    5.  Indianapolis

    When are the next big eclipse events?

    If you’re not able to film the April 8 eclipse with a drone, there are other big events coming up.

    Expect another solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026 in the Arctic, which could be a compelling place to fly (yes, I’ve flown drones in the Arctic, too). Expedition cruises in the Arctic are setting their schedules and routes early to align in the path of totality for that August 2026 solar eclipse. For example, AdventureSmith Explorations is running a 14-day Arctic trip featuring astrophysicist Paul Sutter as a special guest. Meanwhile, you could head from Spitsbergen to Northeast Greenland on another 14-day offering from the same company.

    The post How to photograph the solar eclipse with a drone (because you’ll want to on April 8!) appeared first on The Drone Girl.

    The best drone photos of 2024 (according to SkyPixel)

    Posted by Dronerator

    If this collection of best drone photos of 2024 are any indication, drone photography has come a long way since its inception. In 2024, drone photography continued its ascent to new heights, capturing breathtaking landscapes, wildlife encounters and even human endeavors in ways never before possible with a camera on land or a helicopter in the sky.

    SkyPixel today announced the winners of its 9th Annual Photo & Video Contest. The winners were selected across more than 130,000 submissions, which is a 100% increase from the previous year.

    Out of all 130,000 aerial photos, this was deemed the best drone photo of 2023:

    Photo: “Mongolian Yurt” by Daolai

    The photo above is titled “Mongolian Yurt,” and it was submitted by the aerial photographer who goes by Daolai.

    Daolai shot the image on a snowy morning in the Ulan Butung Grasslands of Inner Mongolia using a Mavic 3 Pro drone. For this specific photo, Daolai capitalized on the drone’s three times zoom functionality.

    So what’s so standout about this particular photo against the thousands of other SkyPixel entries?

    “Captured this photo depicts herdsmen making preparations for the grassland event,” according to a statement from SkyPixel. “The scene is naturally picturesque, authentically depicting the lives of the herdsmen as they interact with the horses, the camels and the landscape, with their yurt, their homes, as a central focus. Against the stark contrast created by the snow, Daolai found the scene reminiscent of a traditional Chinese ink painting.”

    That photo was selected by a judging panel of seasoned experts including:

    • Wen Huang, a World Press Photo judge and Senior Editor
    • Anne Farrar, Assistant Photography Chief Editor at National Geographic
    • Nan Li, the Photo Director of Southern Weekly
    • Daniel Kordan, a renowned landscape photographer

    ““I was drawn to the storytelling of this image,” Farrar said. “Such a beautiful wispy landscape has a lovely painterly look, very soft and almost feels like powder. A beautiful aerial landscape that doesn’t rely on graphic quality alone and tells a community story.”

    Other great drone photos of 2024

    While Daolai took the overall grand prize in the SkyPixel 9th Annual Photo & Video Contest, there were plenty of other deserving images. SkyPixel also released the results of the other ‘Top 10’ winners as well as the five ‘Nominated Photo’ winners. Here they are:

    Top 10 Photos of 2024

    A Bold, Bare-Chested Ride by Parker
    A Symphony in Snow by Guofu
    Bird’s eye view on Iceland by Pawel Zygmunt
    E IN THE LAKE by Ekrem SAHİN
    Balloon floating over trees in winter by Jonas Hoffmann
    Hunting together by Pham Huy Trung
    Motion and Stillness by Patrick Wong
    Silence by Nguyen Khanh Vu Khoa
    “Fatigue Sleep” by Muhammad Amdad Hossain
    Tree of life by Isabella Tabacchi

    Top Nominated Photos of 2024

    Abyss by Dylan de Haas
    Back home by Jeremiasz Gadek
    Mining Farm by Xuhaha
    Pioneering New Realms by David
    “City Spider-Man” by Qihui Chen

    What happens to the winners?

    Besides honor and exposure, the photographers behind the best drone photos of 2024 actually get physical prizes.

    The Annual Best Work prize entailed more than $14,000 worth of gear. That kit included a Hasselblad X2D 100C medium format mirrorless camera, which alone goes for more than $8,000. Additionally, SkyPixel named Daolai as an official SkyPixel Creator (which includes a prestigious trophy and an award certificate).

    Meanwhile, the Top Photo winners each received the DJI Mavic 3 Pro Fly More Combo (DJI RC), a trophy, and award certificate, with a total value of nearly $3,000. The Nominated Prizes each received the Osmo Action 4 Adventure Combo and award certificate (worth about $400) and the People’s Choice Prizes received the Osmo Mobile 6 and award certificate (worth about $150).

    The 9th Annual SkyPixel Photo & Video Contest winners were selected through a submission period which opened on Nov. 7 2023 and ran through Feb. 2, 2024. All entries had to have been shot on a drone (though it didn’t necessarily have to be a DJI drone).

    Curious what the competition was like last year? Check out the winners from the 7th edition of the contest, which were named in 2023. And come back later this week for a guide to the best aerial videos of 2023, also based on SkyPixel winners.

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    The post The best drone photos of 2024 (according to SkyPixel) appeared first on The Drone Girl.

    3 female drone pilots on Instagram to follow right now

    Posted by Dronerator

    In the world of Instagram drone photography, the landscape has been predominantly male (after all, the majority of certified pilots are male). But this is rapidly changing as more and more female drone pilots emerge, bringing fresh perspectives and captivating content.

    Here are three impressive female content creators on Instagram who use drones to capture their audiences. 

    For FPV racing pilots on Instagram: Mako Reactra @makoreactra 

    Mako Reactra, @makoreactra, creates content with FPV drones and has over 14,400 followers. Her content is a mix of real-life flying and simulator drone racing. With only 7.9% of all certified remote pilots being female, there are even fewer in the world of FPV racing. Mako hopes her FPV content shows girls and women that drone racing isn’t just for men. 

    Mako’s racing drones are custom built and her sponsors provide me with gear, and she uses that to build, program, and repair her drones. When flying her FPV drones, live video is streamed to her FPV goggles from her drone camera, so it feels like she’s flying from the cockpit of the drone. 

    When Mako isn’t flying FPV drones, she is teaching her 4th-grade students, who share the same love for drones. Their enthusiasm for drones led her to pursue and then win a STEM grant to bring drone education to the classroom. Mako is now teaching her students how to fly FPV drones. 

    “I am usually the only female pilot at my local races,” said Mako in an interview with The Drone Girl, “If you watch drone racing on TV, you will not see females represented.” Mako hopes to inspire girls to pick up the radio and learn to fly. 

    For those into hiking and nature views: Krystina Romeo @krystinawanders 

    Krystina creates hiking and travel content with her drone. She enjoys showing off beautiful places and letting people know that if she can get to these places, they can too.

    Her first and only drone is her trusty DJI Mini 3 Pro, which was recommended by another social media creator. 

    Krystina remembers when she first got her drone she had no idea how to get the video content like the ones she saw online. She recalls, “I couldn’t figure out the remote, all my videos did not look like any of the ones I admired and I thought, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing.” 

    But after watching helpful tip videos and a lot of practicing, she now has over 4,000 followers who praise her content. 

    “I never knew how few female drone pilots there were until I started using one,” remarked Krystina, “I would say, if you want to try it, go for it!”  

    For those looking for drone tips and tricks: Sofi Khmara @sofi.khm

    Sofi Khmara has over 8,000 followers and is a part 107 certified pilot based in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

    Sofi’s posts travel drone footage, tricks and trips for creating engaging content, and more. Recently, she posted a video sharing the best film and export settings for Instagram reels. 

    Sofi flies with her DJI Mini 4 Pro and edits the majority of her videos with CapCut on her desktop. 

    On top of being a content creator and drone pilot, Sofi is a professional photographer specializing in equestrian photography. But she also offers professional video services (with drone footage tied in, of course.) 

    Sofi left NYC during the pandemic for North Carolina and has been exploring her passion and interests ever since. 

    The post 3 female drone pilots on Instagram to follow right now appeared first on The Drone Girl.