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How to design wedding drone show animations that actually tell your story

Posted by Dronerator

After spending over a decade working in the drone industry (including reviewing professional drone shows and even judging the SPH Engineering drone light show contest) I thought I understood what made a great aerial display. Then I had to design one for my own wedding.

This year, I learned that designing wedding drone show animations is fundamentally different from designing for theme parks, concerts or corporate events. Weddings aren’t about spectacle for spectacle’s sake. They’re about storytelling.

For those who haven’t heard, I got married on September 20, 2025 to Hamilton Nguyen. Yes, we had a wedding drone show sendoff, coordinated by the amazing team over at Los Angeles-based Electric Sky Drone Shows with support from UVify.

Here’s everything I learned about creating animations that actually mean something.

Start with story, not visuals

When Ali Amini, the co-creator of Electric Sky Drone Shows, first asked what animations I wanted, I had to ask myself more than just “What would look cool in the sky?” With wedding drone show animations, the right question is: “What story do we want to tell?”

Ali was intentionally open-ended at first. He didn’t come with a template or checklist. He just asked about our relationship: How did we meet? What do we love doing together? What are our shared passions? What was the proposal like? From there, he asked me to come back to him with some animations I wanted.

I actually used ChatGPT to help brainstorm initial concepts because I was overwhelmed by the blank canvas. It didn’t even give bad ideas. For example, I suggested a coffee cup and a bagel to symbolize how we met on the app Coffee Meets Bagel, and AI suggested projecting both simultaneously, then letting them morph into a heart (that animation actually made the final cut in our drone show).

Your love story is already original

The refreshing thing about designing a wedding drone show? You don’t need to be wildly creative.

Simply telling the story of your relationship — how you met, what you enjoy doing together, how the proposal happened — is inherently original because it’s yours.

No one else met on Coffee Meets Bagel and got engaged at Neuschwanstein Castle while both being competitive weightlifters. (That’s our specific, weird, wonderful story.)

Your story is different. That’s the whole point.

For wedding drone shows, you might allow your narrative arc to follow a natural structure like this:

  1. How you met (that was our coffee cup + bagel)
  2. What you love doing together (our weightlifter animation, a roller coaster, a film camera, a beach)
  3. The proposal moment (our Neuschwanstein Castle)
  4. Your commitment (rings, initials or full names, wedding date)

Now fill in those four lines with your own story (and feel free to add more, like multiple examples of things you love doing together). Most wedding drone shows will have 8-12 animations, so you can come with multiple.

In fact, I had a few more ideas of animations (mostly to symbolize other fun trips we’ve taken together, like an Eiffel Tower for Paris or a camel for the time we rode through the Moroccan desert). Sadly those didn’t make the final cut, as we did have a time and animation limit.

(Photo by Palos Studio)

We did get creative with our wedding drone show intro. We had a travel-themed wedding (as we both love to travel). The invitations were boarding passes, and the seat assignments were designed as a gate arrivals board. We had a sugar airplane mounted to our cake, and we even let our guests vote on our honeymoon destination via a map with pushpins.

So when it came to our drone show, we did open with a literal drone projected in the sky (yes, I am The Drone Girl!) but our second animation was a globe. From there, an illuminated pushpin “dropped” on the globe in San Francisco, where we live today (yes, it’s our favorite city in the world).

(Photo by Palos Studio)

Use classic wedding imagery sparingly, but lean on specific animations

We included wedding rings, clinking champagne glasses and our names in a heart. These are classic for a reason — they work.

But if your entire show is hearts, rings, flowers, doves and “Just Married” text, you’re wasting the medium. These classic wedding symbols should be accent pieces, not the main course.

(Photo by Palos Studio)

It was the weightlifter animation that got the loudest response of our entire show. Why? Because half our guests were competitive weightlifters.

They howled when that animation appeared. They were filming, cheering, losing their minds. It was an inside reference that half the audience deeply understood and the other half found delightfully weird.

With the rings, people appreciated them, but they didn’t howl at them. The lesson? Don’t aim for universal appeal. Aim for personal resonance.

Here are some ideas that come to mind of hyper-specific animations that could work for you:

  • Your pet
  • A meal you cooked on your first date
  • Hobbies you do together
  • A symbol of the destination you’re headed to for your honeymoon

Voiceover changes everything

Tannaz Amini (the sister half of Electric Sky’s leadership) pushed hard for voiceover narration. I hesitated. Our DJ was set up inside. Adding outdoor audio felt complicated. Did we really need it?

Having done it, I concur: Yes. Absolutely yes.

Voiceover transformed our show from “cool visuals” to “emotional storytelling.”

Without voiceover, guests see a castle and think, “Nice, a castle.”

With voiceover, guests learn our proposal story. It gives context, emotion, and meaning to every animation. It turned abstract shapes into chapters of our story.

Hamilton and I recorded it at home in his closet (they say audio quality is better in closets!). It didn’t need to be professionally produced — authenticity mattered more than polish.

The design process: what to expect with your wedding drone show

We had about six planning calls with Ali over the course of a month. Our timeline was tight because we threw together our wedding drone show fairly last-minute (though I recommend giving yourself more than a few months if you can).

Here’s a rough outline of how the planning calls around our wedding drone show animations broke down:

Meeting 1: Initial brainstorming

Ali asked about our story. I rambled about Coffee Meets Bagel, weightlifting, the proposal, our travels. He took notes.

Meeting 2: Venue assessment

Ali needed to scout our venue (remotely, via Google Maps and our photos) to understand launch site constraints, viewing angles and max drone capacity. Sadly, our venue couldn’t accommodate unlimited drones. We were capped at 200 due to space limitations.

Meetings 3-4: Animation development

Ali went back to his animation team with our ideas. They came back with rough concepts. We refined, added details, cut things that weren’t working. This was iterative.

Meeting 5: Voiceover planning

Tannaz joined this one and convinced us to add narration. We discussed the order of animations and how to structure the script to match the visuals.

Meeting 6: Final review

We watched the animated preview with our audio synced, and made tiny tweaks, which involved re-syncying the audio to match the new timing.

Important note: Ali and Tannaz from Electric Sky Drone Shows were super flexible. We could have done more or fewer meetings depending on how detail-oriented we were. Some couples might nail it in three calls. Others might need ten. The key is finding a company (and a point person) who’s willing to collaborate iteratively rather than just handing you a template.

Want to see the finished product? You can, here:

Technical considerations that affect wedding drone show animations

A few practical constraints to keep in mind about your wedding drone show animations:

Drone count limits your complexity More intricate animations require more drones. We had 200, which gave us decent flexibility but wasn’t unlimited. In fact, we had a heart time spelling out “Sally & Hamilton” in a heart. His name became just Ham (which to be fair, is a real nickname for him).

If you have 50 drones, you’ll need even simpler shapes and may not be able to spell your names. If you have 1,000 drones, you can do incredibly detailed work (and I envy you).

Venue space determines your canvas The physical area available for the drone grid affects how large your animations can be and how much buffer space you need. Our venue constraints meant we couldn’t go bigger than 200 drones even if we’d wanted to.

Text needs to be legible If you’re including words (names, dates, quotes), keep them short and use clear fonts. Cursive is risky. All caps is usually safer.

Let your wedding drone show animations tell your story

The best wedding drone show animations aren’t the most technically impressive or visually stunning (though those things are nice, but leave those to drone shows gunning for awards).

The best wedding drone show animations are the ones that make your guests say, “That is SO them.”

Your drone show should feel like a love letter written in light. Generic hearts in the sky are fine. But a weightlifter doing a snatch? That’s unforgettable.

Planning your own wedding drone show and need animation advice? Connect with me on Intro! I’m happy to talk through your story and help you figure out which moments deserve to be displayed in the sky.

By the way, The New York Times featured my wedding drone show in their Vows section! Read their piece here.

The post How to design wedding drone show animations that actually tell your story appeared first on The Drone Girl.

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.

Launch a drone business in 6 months: your step-by-step roadmap to starting a drone photography business

Posted by Dronerator

Turning your passion for drones into a business is exciting — but also intimidating. You’ve probably asked yourself: Which drone should I buy? Do I need insurance? How do I even find my first paying client?

The good news is that drone businesses can be built one step at a time. You don’t need a fleet of drones or a dozen clients out of the gate. What you need is structure. I know that, because I’ve been covering the drone industry for more than 10 years, and I’ve seen hundreds of drone businesses either grow — or fail.

That’s why I’ve put together this six-month step-by-step roadmap. Whether you want to shoot real estate, film weddings, capture marketing footage for local businesses, or even pitch your services to cruise lines or tourism boards, this plan will help you launch smart, legally and confidently.

And it’s broken out into an easy format so you can get your drone business launched within six months.

Go from drone pilot to business owner in 6 months

Ready to tackle your new business venture? Let’s get going!

Related read: Drone Business 101: 11 steps to launching a small business as a drone pilot

Month 1: Get set up

Choose your drone

Sally French, The Drone Girl, with the DJI Air 3S and the DJI RC 2. (Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)

What’s the best drone out there? If you’re just starting out, you don’t need to splurge on the most expensive aircraft. What matters most is that your drone captures high-quality video and photos and is reliable to operate. Some of my favorite beginner-to-pro models:

  • DJI Air 3S – A fantastic all-around choice, balancing affordability and pro features. Dual cameras (wide-angle + medium telephoto), 4K at 100 fps, strong battery life.
  • DJI Mini 4 Pro – Ultra-portable, under 249g, and doesn’t require FAA registration for recreational use. Still powerful enough for commercial work if you’re on a budget.
  • DJI Mavic 3 Pro – A powerhouse with a triple-camera system, larger sensor, and extended flight times. Best for serious professionals, but pricier.
  • Autel EVO Lite+ – DJI’s strongest competitor in this space. A great alternative if you prefer not to be tied to DJI’s ecosystem.

If you’re planning on weddings, commercial shoots or marketing videos where lighting and image quality are critical, consider investing in something like the Air 3S or Mavic 3 Pro. If you just want to start small and low-risk, the Mini 4 Pro will serve you well.

Get your FAA Part 107 license

Since you’ll be earning money with your drone, you legally need the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Here’s the quick breakdown:

  1. Study: The exam covers airspace rules, weather, safety, and regulations. Resources like Drone Pilot Ground School or even free YouTube crash courses can get you ready.
  2. Test: The exam costs $175 and is taken in person at an FAA-approved testing center. You’ll have two hours to answer 60 multiple-choice questions, and you need a 70% to pass.
  3. Apply: Once you pass, you’ll submit your application via the FAA’s IACRA system. Your permanent license arrives in the mail within a few weeks.

Don’t skip this step. Flying commercially without Part 107 can land you fines, and many clients will ask to see proof before hiring you.

Consider drone insurance

Drone insurance isn’t legally required for all jobs in the under FAA regulations, but it’s generally considered an essential piece of running a business. A crash into someone’s car or an injury at a wedding could put you in serious financial trouble without it.

There are two main types of coverage:

  • Liability insurance: Protects you if your drone damages property or injures someone. Many companies, like SkyWatch.AI, Verifly, and DroneInsurance.com, offer flexible coverage — sometimes even hourly, if you only need it for a single gig.
  • Hull insurance: Covers damage to your own drone. This is pricier and usually more important for expensive models like the Mavic 3 or Inspire series.

Even if you’re just starting small, at least carry basic liability insurance. Some real estate agencies, wedding venues, and corporate clients won’t hire you without proof of coverage.

I recommend Skywatch.ai for maximum flexibility since they offer annual, monthly or even hourly coverage.

Practice, practice, practice

Spend the rest of Month 1 flying daily. Don’t just practice cinematic sweeps — practice in windy conditions, tight spaces and different lighting environments. Confidence in handling your drone is the single best preparation before working with clients.

Month 2: Build a portfolio

You can’t sell your skills without showing what you can do. Month 2 is all about creating a small but polished body of work.

  • Shoot different environments. Capture a few houses (for real estate), a public park (for landscape work), and maybe a family barbecue (to mimic event footage). If you’re near the coast, film boats, piers, or even cruise ships (if allowed) as a practice run for tourism-style marketing.
  • Pair drone footage with ground footage. Many clients want both aerial and handheld content. If you already own a DSLR or mirrorless camera, practice creating seamless edits that combine both. A couple getting married is more likely to hire one team that can capture all the content from their wedding, rather than a separate photographer, videographer and drone pilot.
  • Polish the edits. Don’t just dump raw drone clips. Edit them into 30–60 second highlight reels and carefully curated photo galleries. Post these on sites like Instagram, TikTok or YouTube. But don’t stress about how many you make. Quality beats quantity.

Once you have 3–5 examples, put them into a simple portfolio site (Squarespace, Wix, or even just a well-curated Instagram page).

Month 3: Make yourself findable

You could have the best footage in the world, but if no one can find you, it won’t matter. Month 3 is about visibility.

  • Make a Google Business Profile: This is the easiest way to show up in local searches. When someone types “drone photographer near me,” you want your name on that list.
  • Social media presence: Share your favorite shots on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Short, vertical drone clips often perform well. Don’t just post pretty shots — explain what you’re doing and why. That builds authority.
  • Local networking: Join real estate Facebook groups, wedding vendor directories or even your local Chamber of Commerce. Many small businesses prefer to hire someone they’ve seen locally.

Month 4: Pitch clients

By Month 4, you’ve got a license, insurance, a portfolio, and some visibility. Now it’s time to go after paying clients.

  • Start with a shortlist. Whether you’re targeting real estate agents, wedding planners, or small business owners, make a list of 10 people in your area who might need your services.
  • Send a simple pitch. Don’t overcomplicate it. “Hi, I’m a licensed drone pilot and photographer in [city]. I specialize in aerial and ground photography for [real estate/weddings/commercial projects]. Here’s a link to my work.”
  • Offer value. For your first clients, it’s okay to underprice slightly or offer package deals. Once you’ve proven yourself, you can (and should!) raise rates.

Remember: reliability and professionalism often matter more than your drone model. Show up on time, deliver edited files quickly, and clients will come back.

Month 5: Refine and expand

At this point, you should have a few shoots under your belt. Use Month 5 to evaluate and improve.

  • Expand services. Add 4K video walkthroughs, quick social reels, or mapping services (for construction clients).
  • Refine your pricing. Based on how long shoots and edits are taking you, adjust your rates so they reflect your time and skill.
  • Collect testimonials. Ask happy clients for written feedback you can put on your website. Nothing sells you like social proof.

This might also be a chance to enroll in a course that specializes your skillset. Mapping is one of the higher-paying fields of drones, and there are drone mapping courses that cost less than $200. If you’re sticking to more traditional or artistic photography but aren’t quite satisfied with your work, it might make sense to enroll in an online drone photo course.

Month 6: Branch out

Once you’ve established yourself locally, it’s time to think bigger.

  • Enter contests. DJI and SkyPixel host global drone photo and video competitions. Even if you don’t win, having “SkyPixel finalist” on your resume is powerful.
  • Pursue creative work. Start pitching tourism boards, hotels or even smaller cruise lines. Many are hungry for cinematic footage and highlight reels.
  • Explore new markets. Drone wedding photography, event coverage, commercials, sports tracking, agriculture surveys — the possibilities are endless once you’ve built a foundation.

Don’t overlook a formal course

Want even more direction? You could enroll in an MBA program, but that could take years. What about a drone-focused program that you can do in hours from your couch?

My friends at UAV Coach have an entire course dedicated to launching your own drone business called The Drone Business Blueprint. The online course goes even deeper into topics like marketing strategies, and financial management. Each module includes practical tools like templates and worksheets, which can help you take what you learn and apply it to your own business. It’s lead by Drone entrepreneur Eno Umoh and costs $119. With it, you get 14 modules with video lectures, 30 downloadable resources, worksheets, and templates.

Learn more and sign up for the course here.

Launc your drone business in 6 months like a pro

wedding photos photography drone incorporate aerial venue ceremony altar
Wedding photography is a fairly low barrier to entry way to launch a career in drones.

Starting a drone photography business isn’t about buying the fanciest gear or landing dozens of clients right away. It’s about moving steadily: getting licensed, practicing until you’re confident, building a portfolio that shows your skills, and making yourself findable to the people who need you.

Drone businesses today have wide potential. They cover everything from weddings to commercials to tourism marketing. The opportunities are out there — but they reward those who take the time to prepare.

Follow this six-month roadmap, and by the time half a year has passed, you’ll have a license, insurance, gear you trust, a portfolio you’re proud of, and (most importantly) your first paying clients. From there, the sky really is the limit.

The post Launch a drone business in 6 months: your step-by-step roadmap to starting a drone photography business appeared first on The Drone Girl.

How to turn your passion into a drone photography business

Posted by Dronerator

Next up in our “Ask Drone Girl” series is about how to start a drone photography business. If you have a question for Drone Girl, contact her here.

I fell in love with photography back in 2018 and have been doing it as an amateur ever since. I’m currently overseas with the military and have decided that I want to get into drone photography when I get back home to help supplement my income while I go through school.

My current thought is to start out combining usage of a drone and my handheld camera to do real estate photos. I already have my Part 107, and I am thinking about purchasing the DJI Air 3 to start. But how do I get established? Should I put together a portfolio and start contacting potential clients? How should I start putting myself out there for more creative stuff? My biggest fear is that I invest the money into the equipment, but it doesn’t end up taking off because I didn’t prepare properly.

This question gets at the heart of what many drone-curious creators struggle with: how do I go from hobbyist to professional? Here’s my advice after more than a decade of working with people who have successfully started a drone photography business.

1. Start with a clear niche

Real estate is one of the smartest entry points into drone photography. Realtors constantly need new photos and video, and they usually don’t have the time or skills to do drone work themselves.

If you can offer both aerials and ground photography as one package, you’re instantly more valuable than if you can only provide one type of image format. Clients love the convenience of one photographer handling everything.

Related read: The best indoor drone for real estate agents

2. Build a small but strong portfolio

Before reaching out to clients, get some solid sample work. You don’t need dozens of shoots; even 3–5 polished property galleries will help. Offer to shoot a friend’s home or ask a local realtor if you can shoot one of their listings for free (or discounted) in exchange for using the photos in your portfolio. Keep the focus on quality over quantity.

When choosing homes to film with your drones, seek out homes with compelling features that are best shown from a bird’s-eye view, like an epic pool or solar panels lining a roof.

Aerial view of a Solar photovoltaic panels on a wood house roof surrounded by green vegetation

3. Make yourself findable online

Realtors are busy. They’re not scouring Instagram hashtags; they just want someone reliable nearby. Sure, you could try to make it back on TikTok and Instagram, but it’s going to take a lot of work (and luck).

Setting up a Google Business Profile is one of the easiest wins. That way, when someone searches “real estate drone photographer in [your city],” your name pops up with photos, reviews and contact info.

4. Reach out — keep it simple

Yes, start contacting realtors. Don’t overthink your pitch. A short message like:

“Hi, I’m a licensed drone pilot and photographer based in [city]. I’d love to help capture your listings with both aerial and ground photography. Here’s my portfolio.”

That’s enough. If your images are good and you present yourself professionally, many will give you a shot.

5. Plant seeds for creative work

The “fun” work — travel films, brand partnerships, event photography — usually comes later. Still, you can start building that side now. Share your most creative shots on social media. Enter drone photo contests like DJI’s SkyPixel competition. Those efforts add credibility and can lead to unexpected opportunities.

6. Don’t stress too much about gear

The DJI Air 3 (or the DJI Air 3S, which is the new and improved model) is a fantastic choice for someone starting out: professional-quality output without being prohibitively expensive. The truth? Clients don’t care which drone you’re flying. They care about sharp, compelling photos delivered on time. Buy a drone you’re comfortable flying and confident carrying around.

One more thing: though it’s not required to fly commercially in the U.S., you may want to carry drone insurance. This protects yourself from any liabilities (like if your drone accidentally crashes into one of the home’s new expensive windows). I recommend going with hourly plans through a company like SkyWatch when you’re getting started rather than committing to a full annual plan upfront.

7. Start small, scale naturally

It’s normal to worry that the business won’t “take off.” The key to reducing risk with your drone photography business is to keep the barrier low. You don’t need dozens of clients or tons of gear. Start with one realtor and one drone (again, the DJI Air 3S is a relatively affordable gateway). Do one shoot. Deliver great results. Word of mouth is powerful (especially in tight knit fields like real estate). One good job often leads to referrals.

Final thoughts on launching a drone photography business

If you’re considering drone photography as a side hustle, there are a few steps to take. Get licensed with the FAA, choose a clear entry niche like real estate, and prepare with a small but polished portfolio. From there, the path is less about fancy gear or big marketing campaigns, and more about consistency and reliability.

Running a drone photography business is one of those careers where your first step feels intimidating, but once you book that first paid shoot, the momentum starts building quickly.

The post How to turn your passion into a drone photography business appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Flying drones indoors in 2025: Tips, tricks and expert strategies

Posted by Dronerator

Flying drones indoors is easier, safer and more affordable than ever — but it’s not as simple as taking off in your living room. From airspace workarounds to creative use cases, indoor drone flight has evolved into a valuable skillset that both beginner and veteran pilots can benefit from. And for many pilots, it’s preferable to flying outdoors.

Whether you’re a seasoned FPV racer or new to drones entirely, there are strategies and lesser-known techniques that can elevate your indoor flying game.

Oh yeah, and check out my guide to the best indoor drones.

Here’s everything you need to know about flying drones indoors, plus a few surprising tricks that even experienced pilots often overlook.

Why fly drones indoors (versus outdoors)

Indoor drone flights have surged in popularity thanks to advancements in size, stabilization tech, and camera quality. But the “why” goes deeper:

  • Bypassing outdoor airspace regulations: Many regions restrict drone flight near airports, national parks, or other controlled zones. Flying indoors avoids FAA jurisdiction entirely. That means you don’t have to register your drone if flying inside, and you don’t even need a Part 107 license.
  • Weatherproof flying: Wind, rain, or extreme temperatures? Indoor flights offer total climate control, making practice or filming consistent year-round.
  • Creative content creation: Indoor spaces allow for innovative drone cinematography—think real estate walkthroughs, warehouse inspections or one-take music videos through tight interiors.

Key indoor drone flying tips

1. Enable propeller guards — even if you’re confident

The DJI Neo drone. (Photo by Sally French)

In 2025, most consumer drones come with built-in or attachable propeller guards. The beginner-friendly DJI Neo is designed in a way that propeller guards are non-negotiable. While they add a few grams of weight, they’re critical for indoor flight. Even experienced pilots underestimate how easy it is to bump into a chair leg or doorway mid-turn.

Pro tip: If your drone doesn’t include prop guards, 3D-print your own or purchase aftermarket snap-ons for common models like DJI Mini series or Cinewhoops.

2. Use Tripod or Cine Mode to slow things down

The DJI RC 2 has an easy switch so you can toggle it on to Cine mode.

Indoor spaces mean tighter quarters. Activate your drone’s Tripod Mode (aka Cine Mode on DJI models) to reduce max speed and increase braking sensitivity. This gives you more control for fine movements and makes the drone feel more “floaty”—ideal for indoor capture.

3. Leverage manual camera tilt for dramatic interior shots

If your drone supports manual camera tilt or angle presets (especially true for FPV quads), experiment with slightly tilting the camera downward. This captures more floor and architecture, creating immersive hallway or staircase fly-throughs.

Bonus: Angled shots can hide ceiling clutter or overhead lights that distract from the frame.

4. Use ‘Return to Hover’ instead of ‘Return to Home’

Most pilots forget to customize their Failsafe Settings. In outdoor mode, Return to Home (RTH) is ideal—but indoors, it can be catastrophic. Your drone may try to ascend through the ceiling to return to its original takeoff point.

But these days, many drones support an indoor-specific failsafe mode that triggers “Return to Hover” or “Auto-Land in Place” instead. Always update your settings before liftoff.

5. Exploit optical flow sensors for stable positioning

GPS typically doesn’t work indoors. Instead, drones rely on optical flow and vision positioning sensors. These use downward-facing cameras and IR sensors to lock in position by scanning patterns on the ground.

Pro trick: Optical flow performs better on textured surfaces (like rugs or tile) than shiny hardwood. Add a drone landing pad or patterned area rug if flying over slick or uniform flooring.

Common indoor drone flying mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Sally French, The Drone Girl, flies the Avata 2 drone with the DJI RC Motion 3 while wearing the DJI Goggles 3. (Photo by Sally French)
  • Forgetting low battery cutoffs: Indoors, battery life feels longer due to calm air—but don’t push it. Many drone crashes happen during auto-land sequences when batteries hit critical levels. Set a manual timer.
  • Flying without a spotter in large indoor venues: If you’re in a gym, warehouse or theater, have someone watch from the ground — even in solo flights. They can help you avoid ceiling rigs, lights or unexpected air drafts from HVAC systems. If you’re wearing FPV goggles, you also need a spotter.
  • Relying on Wi-Fi indoors: Some drones use Wi-Fi for controls. Interference from routers or metal-heavy walls can degrade signal quality. Stick with RC transmitters when possible — or fly in rooms away from network congestion.

Can you legally fly drones indoors?

Yes! In the United States, the FAA does not regulate indoor drone flights, as they don’t occur in the national airspace. That said, property owners, building managers or event organizers can still set their own rules.

If you’re filming a venue for commercial purposes (e.g., real estate, promotional footage), get permission in writing and confirm insurance coverage in case of damage.

Indoor drone flight use cases in 2025

The Elios 3 drone in action, indoors. (Photo courtesy of Flyability)

From hobbyist fun to professional applications, indoor drone flying has become a legitimate tool in multiple industries:

  • Cinematic tours: Used in real estate, museums, or hospitality
  • Indoor drone racing leagues: Micro whoops (65mm class) dominate in courses built inside garages, warehouses, or even hallways
  • Emergency response training: Law enforcement and search teams use indoor quads to simulate indoor navigation for rescue operations
  • Inspections and mapping: High-end drones like Flyability’s Elios 3 drone can fly into caves or deep, dark tunnels for advanced mapping and inspection missions.
  • Education & STEM: Drones are now integral to school robotics programs and coding curriculums —most of which fly indoors.

Surprising indoor drone tricks even pros miss

  • Use wall shadows to judge distance: In tight spots with no obstacle sensors, your drone’s shadow on a nearby wall or floor can act as a depth cue.
  • Pre-program routes for ultra-smooth flythroughs: Some drones (like the HoverAir X1 PRO or DJI Mini series) support flight path programming via app. Use this to avoid joystick “jitter” in interior shots.
  • Map indoor air currents: Even in closed rooms, air vents can create turbulence. Fly low first to identify invisible drafts from heating/cooling systems, especially in theaters or atriums.

Indoor flying offers a safe, creative, and surprisingly advanced avenue for drone pilots. Whether you’re refining your skills, filming content, or racing around LED gates, indoor drone flight can challenge your precision and open new doors (sometimes literally) for what drones can do.

Have you mastered indoor FPV flying? Are you proud of your first whoop build? Let me know in the comments — or tag me on Instagram @TheDroneGirl.

The post Flying drones indoors in 2025: Tips, tricks and expert strategies appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Can you bring a drone on a plane? TSA rules, battery limits, and expert tips

Posted by Dronerator

If you’re planning to travel with your drone in 2025, you’re not alone. Whether you’re heading to Hawaii for epic waterfall shots or traveling for work, the question remains: Can you bring a drone on a plane? And more importantly, what are the TSA and FAA rules for flying with drone batteries?

Here’s your up-to-date, comprehensive guide to traveling with drones — covering TSA regulations, airline-specific baggage rules, battery safety requirements, and international travel tips.

Your ultimate guide to TSA and flying with drones on an airplane

Can you bring a drone through TSA in your carry-on?

Yes, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows drones through airport security checkpoints in the United States. That applies to both carry-on and checked baggage, though carry-on is preferred for most drone equipment.

However, while TSA gives the green light, individual airlines may have their own policies. Always check with your airline before flying.

Should you pack your drone in carry-on or checked baggage?

While most airlines allow drones onboard, the batteries are the limiting factor. Lithium and lithium-ion batteries are often banned from checked luggage due to fire risk. In general:

  • Drones can go in either carry-on or checked baggage
  • Batteries must go in carry-on baggage only

For example:

  • Delta Air Lines requires lithium batteries to be removed from any drone that’s checked at the gate or ticket counter. The batteries must travel in the cabin.
  • Southwest Airlines allows drones in either type of luggage but mandates that spare batteries remain in your carry-on bag.

Pro tip: Always check the airline’s restricted items list and baggage rules before flying.

Flying with drone batteries: FAA regulations

The FAA restricts spare lithium batteries in checked luggage, and the rules are specific:

What’s allowed (in carry-on only):

  • Spare drone batteries
  • Power banks
  • External chargers
  • Cell phone and laptop batteries

What’s prohibited in checked baggage:

  • All of the above

Battery watt-hour (Wh) limits:

  • Up to 100Wh: No limit on quantity (unless your airline says otherwise)
  • 101–160Wh: Limited to two batteries, with airline approval
  • Over 160Wh: Prohibited from passenger flights

Check your drone’s manual or battery label for its Wh rating. Most consumer drones (like DJI Mini or Mavic series) fall under 100Wh. Industrial drones like the DJI Matrice 350 RTK use 263Wh batteries—which are not allowed on commercial flights.

Smart battery safety tips for air travel

1. Use fireproof battery bags

While not required by TSA, Lipo-safe battery bags are highly recommended, considering Lipo batteries have been known to cause fires. They contain any combustion or fire risk in case a battery malfunctions mid-flight. Most cost under $20 and add peace of mind for you and your airline.

Plus, they’re not too big anyway. Most fireproof battery pouches for individual batteries aren’t too large and can easily tuck in an existing carry-on bag.

2. Limit battery quantity

Even if your batteries are under 100Wh, some airlines cap how many you can bring beyond TSA limits:

  • Southwest Airlines: Max 20 spare batteries per passenger
  • Others: May have no formal limit, but use discretion

If you need to bring more, ask your travel companion to carry some of the extras in their bag.

3. Label your gear clearly

Some TSA agents are unfamiliar with drone tech. To avoid delays:

  • Place a printed copy of the FAA/TSA battery policy inside your drone case
  • Label your Lipo bags with battery capacity (Wh) and chemistry (Li-ion, Lipo, etc.)
  • Be prepared to answer basic questions about what your drone is

Tips for going through TSA with a drone

Although TSA allows drones, here’s how to make your security screening smoother:

  • Inform the TSA agent that you’re carrying a drone.
  • Keep batteries in their own Lipo-safe bag.
  • Don’t bury the drone deep in your bag—make it easy to remove if asked.

Pro-tip: If you’re traveling frequently, create a travel checklist for your drone gear, including FAA-legal battery storage, labeled cases, and charging accessories.

Can you fly with a drone internationally?

This is where things get complicated.

Unlike the U.S., drone laws vary dramatically by country. While TSA and FAA rules apply to U.S. airspace, other countries may:

  • Require drone registration on arrival
  • Confiscate drones at customs (especially in restricted nations)
  • Impose steep fines or deposits to “guarantee” export

Real-world example:

I talked to one drone pilot who was flying to Bali. He was required to pay a $2,000 deposit to bring in a drone, which would not be returned if the drone wasn’t brought back out. Other travelers have had drones confiscated on arrival despite proper paperwork.

How to avoid international drone travel issues

  • Check the drone laws of your destination in advance. UAV Coach offers an excellent global drone laws directory.
  • Review the website of that country’s aviation authority for the most up-to-date rules.
  • Print out confirmation of registration and import permissions, if applicable.

If you’re traveling with expensive drone gear, consider drone insurance. If you do purchase a policy, verify what’s covered in case of confiscation or delay.

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The post Can you bring a drone on a plane? TSA rules, battery limits, and expert tips appeared first on The Drone Girl.

How to sell your used drone: best platforms, strategies and tips to maximize your payout

Posted by Dronerator

If your old drone has been collecting dust or you’re ready to upgrade to a newer model like the DJI Mavic 3 Pro, DJI Mini 4 Pro, or DJI Air 3S, you may be wondering how to sell your used drone for the best price. Whether you’re done with the drone hobby or want extra cash for the latest gear, there are multiple ways to turn that unused drone into money.

From peer-to-peer marketplaces to drone-specific resale platforms, your ideal selling method will depend on how much effort you want to put in — and how much cash you’re hoping to walk away with.

Sell your drone on online marketplaces for cash

As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.

Online platforms like eBay, Mercari or Craigslist are popular options for converting used electronics into cash. These platforms generally offer the highest potential payout but require the most effort on your part.

All of these sites charge seller fees in some capacity (whether it’s upfront when you post, or after-the-fact when you sell), which can cut back on how much you’ll ultimately earn.

There’s also still some labor on your end; creating an account, photographing and listing your item, and ultimately packing and shipping it; and there’s no guarantee it will ever actually sell. But if you’re up for it, you could make a few hundred dollars.

Here are some of the online marketplaces you should know:

eBay

Best for: Sellers with previous transaction history or higher-value drones

A screenshot of DJI Phantom 4 drones for sale on eBay

Listing fee: If you’re a casual seller, it’s likely free to list on eBay. Beyond that, a $0.35 insertion fee applies.

Selling fee: eBay charges a 12.55% final value fee plus $0.30 per order.

Shipping: You manage packaging and shipping. Buyers typically pay for shipping, though competitive sellers often offer free shipping.

Tips:

  • Build seller credibility by selling smaller items before listing your drone.
  • Include clear photos from multiple angles, detailed specs, and a video showing it flying (if possible).
  • Mention any included accessories like extra batteries, prop guards, or carrying cases.

Mercari

Best for: Beginner sellers looking for an easy interface with built-in protections.

Sign up for Mercari using this link, and you’ll get $10 off your first purchase. And if you’re looking to sell on Mercari, you’ll make another $20 once you complete your first $100 in sales.

Listing fee: Free to list.

Selling fee: 10% sales commission, plus a 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing fee.

Shipping options:

  • Use Mercari’s prepaid label.
  • Ship on your own (useful for experienced shippers).
  • Drop off at UPS using Mercari’s “Pack & Ship” service — ideal for fragile drones.

Payouts:

  • Direct deposit (free for transfers over $10).
  • Instant Pay ($2 fee).

Tips:

  • Use strong keywords like “DJI Mini 2 used,” “camera drone with 4K,” and “tested quadcopter” in the title and description.
  • Enable buyer offers to encourage interest.

Craigslist

Best for: Sellers who want a no-fee, cash-only, local transaction.

  • Listing fee: Free.
  • Selling fee: None.
  • Shipping: Not recommended — meet in person at a safe, public location.
  • Tips:
    • Bring the drone for a live demo, if safe and feasible.
    • Meet in public areas like coffee shops or police department exchange zones.
    • Accept only cash to avoid scams.

Use drone-specific marketplaces

Sites like DroneTrader offer peer-to-peer platforms built specifically for drone sales.

  • Listing fee: Often free or low-cost.
  • Audience: Buyers are already looking for drones, which improves your odds of a quick sale.
  • Support: May not include buyer protection or transaction guarantees, so use with caution.
  • Tips:
    • Research pricing of similar models before listing.
    • Include firmware version, flight hours, and whether accessories or original packaging are included.

Drone Girl has not independently verified these platforms, so proceed carefully and read reviews before listing.

Donate your drone to a school or nonprofit

donate drone school DJI Phantom kids altruistic donation tax writeoff

If you’re finished flying and don’t need the money, donating your drone is a great way to give back.

  • Recipients: STEM programs, public school tech classes, robotics clubs, and scouting troops often welcome used drones (yes, even Girl Scouts love drones!).
  • Tax benefits: Donations to qualified nonprofit organizations or public school districts may be tax deductible.
  • Tip: Use a “reasonable valuation method” by comparing recent sales of similar items on eBay or Craigslist to determine the fair market value.
  • Documentation: Keep a receipt and photo of the donated item, and consult a tax advisor if claiming deductions.

Selling your used drone can be a smart way to fund your next aerial adventure — or simply clear out space. The key to getting the best value lies in knowing where to sell, setting realistic expectations and writing a compelling listing with clear photos and an honest condition report.

Whether you want fast cash, steady rental income or the satisfaction of helping kids learn STEM skills, there’s a resale option that fits your goals. Make the most of your old drone and choose the selling path that’s right for you.

The post How to sell your used drone: best platforms, strategies and tips to maximize your payout appeared first on The Drone Girl.

2025 student and teacher discounts on drones (and scholarships!) you need to know

Posted by Dronerator

Summer is here, and it’s hard to believe that the 2025-2026 school year is fast approaching. Whether you’re in the classroom or leading one, here are the best student and teacher discounts, scholarships and promotions for all things drones.  

Discounts on drones for students and teachers

Tech deals for teachers from major electronics stores

Three of the best brick and mortar stores for buying camera gear and related electronics offer discount programs that you can apply, which offer heavy discounts on specific products. Here are the three best student and teacher discounts for (most) tech-related things:

B&H EDU Advantage

B&H EDU Advantage offers 10-20% off on photography and video products, including SD cards. The discount doesn’t cover everything that’s for sale on its website (and sadly, DJI drones typically aren’t offered up under the discount program). But, it does encompass roughly 4,500 items.

Plus, for busy teachers who don’t have time to parse through the best products, the B&H EDU Advantage program offers expert help so you can speak to a product expert for exact recommendations based on your needs.

B&H only has one physical store (it’s in Manhattan), but if you’re not anywhere near there, the photo retail giant also has a robust online presence. Plus, it offers free shipping on most items.

Best Buy Education

Like B&H EDU Advantage, Best Buy Education offers similar discounts and the added benefit of working alongside an education account manager who can assist teachers and schools in getting classrooms tech-ready. 

Signing up for Best Buy Education is relatively simple for teachers. Unlike many teacher discount programs, you do not need to show any proof (valid .edu email, teacher ID, etc.) to sign up. You simply sign up for a business account and select education as your industry. 

From there you will receive special discounts and free shipping on orders $35 and up. 

Amazon Prime for Young Adults

Amazon Prime for young adults offers a cost-effective way to access all the perks of a regular Prime membership — including free two-day shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music and exclusive Prime Day deals — at a discounted rate.

Students enrolled in a college or university can sign up for Prime Student, which is only about half the standard cost. Beyond streaming and shipping, members also get access to perks like Grubhub+ for food delivery discounts, free gaming content through Prime Gaming, and textbook rentals, making it a smart pick for budget-conscious students and recent grads in the drone industry.

What about DJI teacher discounts?

The two largest drone manufacturers,DJI and Autel Robotics, do not partner with either program at the moment, so you won’t be able to score a drone discount on their products.

That said, there is a program for teachers and students called the DJI Education Hub. They are not currently offering any discounts and promotions for DJI products, but it’s free to sign up, and the program has been known to offer a range of discounts on select drones. It might be worth handing over your email in case they resume alerts of student and teacher discounts.

The DJI Education Hub also has courses for teachers or schools to purchase. The courses are an Introductory course (for elementary students), a Teamwork and Collaboration Course (for middle school students), and a few Advance Courses (for high school students). These courses are geared toward robotics, artificial intelligence, communication technology, and more. The course prices begin at $6 a month. These courses are excellent STEM classes or after-school programs but not drone-centric. 

Other ways to save money on drones in 2025

While there are few options for discounted drones for teachers and students, you might also consider buying a used drone. Just understand that — while buying used can save money — used drones also carry risks.

Student and teacher discounts on Part 107 test prep courses

While building drones is certainly a key component of a STEM program, you’ll typically need a Remote Pilot Certificate to be able to fly them. Under the FAA Part 107, which is the set of Federal Aviation Administration rules around commercial drone operation (which typically includes classroom operations, too), each drone flight must have a remote pilot in command. While that doesn’t necessarily have to be the drone pilot itself (so unlicensed students can be on the controls), the remote pilot in command is directly responsible for (and is the final authority on) the drone’s operation.

To be considered a remote pilot in command, you must have that drone pilot’s license, which you can get by passing a written test, which most people refer to as the Part 107 test. And the best way to get that test? Enrolling in an online Part 107 test prep course.

And even though your students don’t necessarily need a license if you have one, it can be a good project (perhaps an extra credit assignment) to get their own drone pilot’s license. Just note the 16-year-old age minimum to be eligible for a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating.

So with that, here are some ways to nab student and teacher discounts on Part 107 test prep courses: 

The Drone Pilot Ground School scholarship program

Images showing screen grabs from the Drone Pilot Ground School course.

 Drone Pilot Ground School offers comprehensive resources, and many teachers opt to enroll their students in this program, which teaches valuable STEM concepts and prepares students for a career in drones. The online test prep program has a 99% passing rate. And in Drone Girl’s opinion, it’s the best online test prep program if you want an established player. 

The best part? Drone Pilot Ground School provides a scholarship that grants free access to their online Part 107 test prep course (usually $299) to U.S. high school students seeking to obtain their FAA drone pilot certificate. The scholarship program has unlimited availability, and students are accepted on a rolling, case-by-case basis, making it accessible to all interested.

And if you don’t qualify for the scholarship, you can always use this link with coupon code DRONEGIRL100. That’ll take $100 off the cost of the course.

John Peltier

Peltier Photo Pro group discounts

John Peltier’s FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Test Prep Course is an online training program that includes short videos, frequent quizzes, and simple text that cuts straight to the point. It is one of the cheapest test course programs and on top of that they offer group discounts. The course is $139 but with 10-20 enrollments, it goes to $99 per person, and for 21 or more, it is $79 per person. 

And just like Drone Launch Academy, John Peltier’s FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Test Prep Course also comes with a test-pass guarantee. 

Karen DiMeo of AERODiMEO, Jonathan Rupprecht Esq, Kenin Morris FAA and Grant Guillot DroneUp at last year’s event. Photo courtesy of Dawn Zoldi.

Other student and teacher discounts on conferences and workshops

For all drone-enthusiasts educators looking to expand their network and knowledge at a conference, the Law-Tech Workshop will again likely offer scholarships for the 2026 event. The Law-Tech Connect Workshop is an all-day legal-focused event co-located within the massive AUVSI XPONENTIAL palooza.

The Scholars Program is designed to financially support people within the drone industry (educators and students included!) who may not have the means to pay. The scholarship application is pretty straightforward. 

They have yet to announce all the details of next year’s scholarship program, but Dawn Zoldi, the workshop organizer, anticipates that the program should be similar to last year. 

What other student and teacher discounts for drone pilots have you spotted? Share them in the comments below!

The post 2025 student and teacher discounts on drones (and scholarships!) you need to know appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Drone wedding photography: how to carve a niche (but smart) career in drones

Posted by Dronerator

This guest post was written by Photo Logica, a company that helps photographers build successful businesses. The company’s co-founders are Zacc Dukowitz, who has been working in the drone industry since 2016, and Daniel López Perez, who owns Daniel López Perez Wedding Photography.

These days, more and more wedding photographers are adding drones to their list of must-have gear. And more drone pilots are starting to offer drone wedding services, recognizing the potential in the drone wedding photography niche.

Drones let wedding photographers get shots that are impossible from the ground, like capturing the entire venue and its surroundings, getting unique bird’s-eye view shots of the couple, and photographing large groups while getting everyone in the shot.

Credit: Daniel López Perez

But getting started with a career in drone wedding photography can be hard. 

How do you know which drone to buy, or how much to charge? And how do you find wedding clients in the first place?

Whether you’re already a wedding photographer who wants to add drones to your work or a drone pilot looking for a new niche, this article has step-by-step advice that breaks down how to get started. 

Launching a career in drone wedding photography

1. Choose Your Drone

If you already own one of The Drone Girl’s recommended camera drones (or one comparable), then you already own a great drone for wedding photography. Unlike enterprise applications such as photogrammetry, you don’t need fancy gear like thermal cameras. Many great drones under $1,000 will suffice.

For Daniel, owner of Daniel López Perez Wedding Photography, a high-end wedding photographer who lives and works in Guatemala, he first started offering drone wedding photos with a DJI Air 2S, which he used for over four years. He just upgraded to the Air 3S, which is a dual-camera drone featuring a 1-inch-CMOS primary camera and a 70mm medium tele camera. Daniel says its zoom lens is really helpful, and the quality of the photos he can take with both cameras is stunning.

If you want to buy a new drone for wedding photography, here are the camera drones we recommend:

  • Beginner: Want a drone that can largely fly itself and shoots in 4K? A good option is the DJI Flip.
  • Prosumer: Looking for a balance between affordability and features? Check out the DJI Air 3S.
  • Professional: Want a higher-end option? We recommend the DJI Mavic 3 Pro.

As you’re searching for a wedding drone, here’s what to look for:

  • Ease of use. Find a drone that’s easy to learn how to fly—especially if you’re a wedding photographer adding drones to your toolbox. You can see whether it’s easy to fly by reading online reviews and the drone’s own marketing materials.
  • Image quality. Look for a drone with a high-resolution camera (at least 20MP) and good low-light performance. The ability to shoot in RAW format is also crucial for post-processing.
  • Portability. Weddings are fast-paced events. A compact, foldable drone is easier to transport and deploy when time is short.
  • Flight time. Aim for at least 25 minutes of flight time per battery so you’re not constantly swapping batteries (or having to carry a lot of them around).
  • Stability and safety. Features like obstacle avoidance and stable flight in windy conditions can help keep your drone—and the people below it—safe.
Credit: Daniel López Perez

A drone with a zoom lens is also nice since it lets you fly at a distance and still get a good shot, especially during quieter moments like the ceremony or even the first dance (if it happens outside). 

That being said, be really careful about using your drone during the ceremony or other intimate moments. The last thing you want to do is make yourself the center of attention.

Want more drone options? Check out our guide to the best drones for wedding photography.

2. Learn How to Fly Your Drone

For photographers hungry for aerial shots, flying is the biggest barrier to getting started with drones.

The stakes are especially high for wedding photographers. That’s because the moment you pull out a drone, everyone at the wedding will be looking at you. 

Gulp. Definitely not a time to get nervous, or to start practicing how to fly. In that moment, you need to know how to fly.

Build strong drone pilot skills before committing to a wedding gig. 

  • Read the instructions that come with your drone and watch beginner tutorials.
  • Find a big, empty place where it’s legal to fly, like a field, and practice basic maneuvers like taking off, hovering, flying in a straight line, and landing.
  • Prioritize practice time until you start to feel proficient.
  • If you regularly photograph at the same rotation of wedding venues, you might even ask the property owner if you can practice flying there. That way you can rehearse the same exact shots you’ll get during the actual ceremony.
  • As you get better, simulate challenging scenarios like flying in congested areas, shooting with low light, and flying with people watching you (but don’t fly over people—that could be illegal).

After you start getting the basics, you can slowly incorporate drones into your work. Over time, you’ll get better and better, and you’ll be able to fly whenever you want—even when everyone is watching.

Pro tip: If you’re just getting into drones and you live in the U.S., you’ll need to get Part 107 certified by the FAA. Read our review of Drone Pilot Ground School, a test prep course to help you get certified.

3. Know When to Use a Drone During the Wedding

As we mentioned, flying during the ceremony or even the first dance (if the reception is outside) is probably not a great idea.

But, like any rule, you can absolutely break it—and you can get some incredible shots that could potentially make your career. The key is using a zoom and knowing how far your drone needs to be so the noise won’t be distracting.

That being said, we only recommend flying during quiet moments after you’ve been using a drone for wedding photography for a long time.

Here are the tried-and-true drone shots you should get at any wedding:

I. Couple’s Shoot

The couple’s shoot can take place the day of the wedding or before. 

Drone wedding photography top down couples shot
Credit: Daniel López Perez

Scout the location before you go there with the couple so you have a plan for where you want them to be and how you want to position them.

Also, keep in mind that you’ll probably want to get a straight-down shot of the couple, which means they’ll need to lay down. 

Some couples won’t want to do this. But you can help by giving them a heads up before they arrive so they can get used to the idea, and by being ready with your soft skills to coax them into it. Showing them other amazing straight-down drone photos of couples helps too!.

II. The Venue

Drones are great for storytelling. 

When you take aerial shots of the venue you can place it in a larger context, showing its surroundings—and thereby dramatizing the wedding itself.

In Antigua, Guatemala, where Daniel lives and does most of his wedding work, using a drone lets him showcase the entire ruin where a wedding is happening (there are a lot of ancient ruins there), and then showcase the venue in the context of the entire city, with the Pacaya volcano looming in the background.

Fun fact: The Pacaya volcano last erupted in 2021. Yikes!

Drone wedding photography aerial
Credit: Daniel López Perez

III. At Night

For outdoor receptions, nighttime can be great for getting candid aerial shots of people celebrating.

Drone wedding photography set the scene
Credit: Daniel López Perez

IV. Cocktail Hour

Cocktail hour is also a great time to get shots of people enjoying the venue, as well as group shots.

See more key drone shots to get during a wedding.

4. Learn How to Compose Drone Wedding Shots

Even if you’re already good at flying a drone and taking aerial photos, you may need some extra composition practice to get ready to shoot weddings.

Unlike industrial drone work, like inspections or mapping, taking aerial photos for weddings requires a certain amount of artistry—and a keen sense for composition.

Drone wedding photography
Credit: Daniel López Perez

Here are some tips to help you with composition for aerial wedding photos:

  • Leading lines. Use roads, paths and natural features to guide the viewer’s eye.
  • Patterns and symmetry. Look for patterns in landscapes and architecture to create visually appealing shots.
  • Scale and perspective. Emphasize the scale of the venue and the surrounding environment.
  • Overhead shots. Capture unique perspectives by shooting directly down on the couple or group.

5. Figure Out Drone Wedding Photography Pricing

Pricing your drone wedding photography services can be tricky, especially if you’re new to this kind of work.

As you start thinking about pricing, remember that you’re not just charging for the drone, or even just for the drone photos.

You’re charging for your expertise, the unique perspective you bring to the table, your time taking the photos and your time editing them. To put it another way, you’re not just selling a drone shot. You’re selling a memory, a piece of art and a wow-factor image that adds an element of magic to the couple’s wedding album.

Most drone wedding photographers charge one of two ways:

I. Standalone Drone Wedding Photography Package

For drone pilots who are only selling aerial photos, this is preferred.

Consider offering different packages based on flight time, number of photos, and deliverables (e.g., edited photos, a highlight reel).

For example, you could have a “Venue Showcase” package that focuses on capturing the venue from above, or a “Couple’s Aerial Session” package for dramatic shots of the newlyweds.

2. Add-On to Existing Wedding Photography Packages

If you’re a wedding photographer who has added drones to your offerings, selling drone photos as an add-on is a great way to upsell your existing wedding photography packages.

For example, you could add a “Drone Upgrade” to your top-tier package, including aerial shots of the venue and couple. Depending on how much that package costs, you could charge anywhere from $200 to $500 or more for that add-on.

Some other things to consider for pricing:

  • Your experience. Are you brand new or a seasoned pro? As you gain experience and build your portfolio, you can increase your rates.
  • The location. Pricing is very different for the same service in Manhattan, Kansas vs. Manhattan, New York. On that note, look around to see what others in your area are charging for similar services to help benchmark your prices and offerings.
  • Your value. This one is squishy, but it’s worth factoring in your unique perspective and artistic vision when thinking about pricing—especially if you have a portfolio that demonstrates the value of your aerial work.

Dive deeper into how to price drone wedding photography.

6. Get Drone Wedding Photography Work

OK—you’ve got your drone, you’ve learned how to fly, you’ve practiced composition, and you know what shots you want to get. You’ve even figured out pricing!

Now it’s time to actually land a drone wedding client.

Here’s a short system you can follow to get work shooting weddings, either as a drone pilot or as a photographer who also uses a drone.

I. Build a Strong Portfolio

Here are some tips:

  • Best shots only. This means quality over quantity. If a shot isn’t exceptional, cut it. Clients are drawn to the best, not the average.
  • Show variety. Venue showcases, couple’s portraits, group shots, nighttime scenes—demonstrate your range.
  • Real weddings (not staged shoots). Clients want to see what you can do under pressure, in real-world scenarios.

II. Offer Strategic Freebies

To build your portfolio, ask wedding photographers in your area if you can tag along and take shots for free or at a reduced rate. Doing this can also help you land your first client.

The key word here is strategic. Don’t give away your services to just anyone. 

But if there’s a wedding photographer whose work you really admire—and would like to work with—reach out and offer to do a free drone shoot for them as a second shooter.

You can offer the same to wedding planners or to venue managers, to showcase their venue.

The key is to use the free offer to get your foot in the door. But don’t do a job for free for the same person several times, and make sure that when you work for free you’re making progress toward your goal of getting paid work.

III. Network Like Your Business Depends On It (Because It Does)

Weddings have a lot of different jobs. And that means there are a lot of different people you can get to know who might help you find work. 

Meeting other wedding photographers can be really helpful. Sometimes Daniel refers potential clients to wedding photographers he knows when he can’t do the job, and he’ll take other local photographers with him as a second shooter when he needs extra coverage.

Key people to network with include wedding planners, DJs, decorators, caterers, and venue managers, as well as photographers and videographers in your area (not just in weddings).

Pro tip: Never send someone a generic message. If you’re going to contact someone, make sure your message is authentic and tailored for them.

These three things will help you find your first clients. 

Once you start booking clients, here are some ways to continue growing your business:

  • Share your work on Instagram to build an audience and passive lead generation stream.
  • Develop your professional presence (do things like make a website, get business cards, create a logo, and register your business).
  • Do local SEO to make sure you rank for keywords like “drone wedding photography Des Moines” (or wherever it is you work).

Want to learn more about drones and wedding photography? Check out our other resources:

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