Why Use Aerial Drone Photography?

What is drone photography for property?

Drone photography for estate agents involves sending a professional drone armed with a high-resolution camera up into the sky to capture aerial property photos.

Aerial drone photography allows an entire property plot to be photographed in one go, giving viewers the complete picture of what’s being sold.

These images show building-to-land ratio, the size and shape of the plot, the scale of the garden and the setting in a way ground-level property photography can’t. While it’s up there, a drone can also help you see the condition of a property’s roof.

When is drone photography most useful for property marketing?

Aerial drone photography is not for every listing. Ideally, there needs to be an unexpectedly generous amount of space, a magical setting or a hidden gem only visible from above to justify sending up a drone – even though the cost has become much more affordable.   

Detached houses often warrant drone photography services and it should be a consideration if the plot has outbuildings, or comprises a farmstead or estate. And find us a potential purchaser who isn’t impressed by an amazing view – drone pilots are skilled at capturing rolling fields, coastal panoramas and Balearic-style sunsets.  

Drone images are also essential if you want to show a property’s proximity to amenities and attractions. Top-down aerials can help demonstrate how far the home is from public transport, schools, shops and landmarks – something that’s especially useful in more urban settings.   

Luxury property portfolio

Equally, if you’ve got a luxury property portfolio that needs the VIP treatment, then drone photography (and videography) is an excellent way to impress both the seller and buyers. Even better, drone photography can persuade luxury homeowners to list their properties with you, leading to more high-end property sales. 

A word of caution, however. Before you commission aerial drone photography, think about what else might be captured. Best rethink if there’s fly tipping next door or a warehouse behind the garden! 

How does drone photography work? 

Luckily drone photography has become widely available, whether through a professional or for those who really want to try their hand at it. We would recommend using a professional.

What happens is a skilled photographer on the ground remotely-pilots the drone, flying the device over a property and its grounds. The end result is a set of bird’s-eye images and video footage, depicting a dwelling and the surrounding areas.  

The images can be used on property listings, across social media and in print marketing, while clips can be stitched together to create a stunning promotional video, with music and captions.  

💡 Bonus tip: Why not plan your drone photography shoot for ‘Golden Hour’ (just after sunrise or before sunset)? This imbues your images a delicate, warm light which adds depth to the property and the surrounding landscape. 

Why use drone photography?

Gain exciting, unique images

Aerial drone photography captures angles that are simply not possible with land-based photography. The lofty perspective ensures buyers see a home in context, with a clear presentation of space, scale and setting.  

Boost your marketing

If you want to stop the mindless scroll and grab attention, use real estate drone photography. An aerial image instantly becomes the hero shot, making a home stand out in a crowded marketplace. Evidence also shows homes listed with aerial photography improve their chances of selling and get better online engagement.  

Draw attention to the best aspects

Rural setting? No neighbours? Views from top floor windows? All these selling points can look flat or undersold when using traditional photography but drone property photography allows a home’s full potential to shine. 

Provide instant understanding

Aerial images are easier to understand than long-winded property descriptions. If you can capture all of a home’s best elements in one visual, why wouldn’t you?  

Improve luxury property perception

High-end buyers and sellers expect high-quality marketing to match the prestige of the property. Drone photography gives your luxury listings the visual credibility they deserve, encouraging buyers to make an offer, and luxury home sellers to choose your services. 

Win more instructions

Ultimately, drone photography is an important tool to help you win more instructions. Agents will lose instructions if their competitors offer drone photography and they don’t. To be the best choice for a seller, you need to provide the best marketing options.  

How much does drone photography cost?

Drone photography has become more mainstream for property marketing and the equipment has become more affordable. As such, drone images for property marketing are more cost effective and accessible than you would imagine but the specific details changes depending on provider and the requirements of the shoot.

👉 Take a look at our pricing here.

Licencing requirements & restrictions for drone photography

Head to an online retailer, buy a drone, and get flying? It’s not quite that simple. You’ll need permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and possess a valid commercial drone insurance policy. 

You  also need to check with the local authority for any no-fly zones nearby, such as military bases or areas with privacy injunctions, and be well-trained enough to not fly the drone into a tree.  

Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons of doing drone photography yourself as an estate agent: 

Pros to doing your own drone photography

• Can reduce immediate costs if you already own a drone and know how to operate one. 

• You have complete control over when and how you capture the property. 

• Useful for quick, basic aerial shots when quality isn’t the top priority. 

Cons to doing it yourself

• Requires CAA-approved training and certification for legal commercial use. 

• Image quality is likely to fall short of professional standards. 

• It takes up valuable time to plan flights, capture footage, and edit the imagery. 

• You’ll have more liability and safety risks, especially in urban or restricted zones. 

• You have to handle ongoing costs for any equipment, software, maintenance, and insurance. 

How to fly drones safely and legally is explained by the Government here and you can also review the Drone Code for crucial guidelines. Have a read – we’re sure you’ll agree it’s best left to the experts.