You want to take your Aerial Photos for your listings so that you don’t have to hire a professional to do it for you. You might be considering buying a drone yourself because you thought it would be much cheaper to do that way, and you can use your drone anytime you want, not just for business use. Before you buy a drone and take photos, read this first.
Though it’s perfect to have a drone and it’s fun to own one, there are some things you must know and consider first. In this blog, you will learn the fundamentals of using a drone, the licenses you have to get to use them commercially for your real estate listings, and other important information on capturing that perfect view shot of your house.
The Benefits of Using Drone Footage in Real Estate Marketing
1. Capturing the Big Picture:
2. Highlighting Unique Features:
Drones can provide the ideal perspective to showcase unique outdoor features like expansive gardens, water features, or custom landscaping.
3. Generating Leads:
4. Demonstrating Tech Savvy:
5. Cost-Effectiveness:
Obtaining the Necessary Permits and Regulations
Depending on your location and the property’s surroundings, this may include obtaining additional permits or adhering to specific guidelines. If you are a realtor or real estate agent and want to hire an Aerial Photographer, make sure they are licensed by the FAA and a professional in drone use. You want to avoid encountering problems or finding out that your aerial shots could be better and have been done illegally.
This is important, especially if you use the Footage for your online marketing materials. That’s it! Invest some time learning about FAA permits for drones or any uncrewed aircraft, the best practices for using your drone, and the fees included in those licenses. Now, let’s move forward to the exciting part: What drone to buy and how to take those breathtaking photos with your drone?
How to Choose the Right Drone for Real Estate Photography
1. Image Quality:
Look for a drone with a high-resolution camera capable of capturing stunning aerial shots. I recommend looking for a drone that can take 4K or higher for video. 4K is good enough to capture more detailed images and videos that you can downsize later to fit with other platforms like YouTube, which only needs 1080p.
If you are confused about 4k (ultra HD) and 1080p (Full HD), this refers to the number of pixels in the frame or photo. The higher the pixel number, the more detailed it will be when you play it on the video—however, the higher the pixel, the more storage you need in your drone memory. You can learn more about this here.
2. Battery Life:
3. Stability:
4. Ease of Use:
Preparing for Your Drone Photo Shoot
1. Identifying suitable takeoff and landing spots:
2. Noting any no-fly zones or restricted airspace:
3. Creating a shot list:
4. Preparing the property:
5. Timing the shoot carefully:
Shooting Techniques and Creative Ways to Use Drone Footage in Real Estate Marketing
1. Shoot in RAW format:
2. Adjust drone settings:
3. Utilize natural lighting:
4. Showcasing the Context and Environment:
5 . Telling a Story:
6. Highlighting Unique Features:
7. Adding Creativity and Flair:
8. Providing a Comprehensive Overview:
Editing Your Drone Footage
1. Choose the right editing software:
2. Color correct and adjust exposure:
3. Add music and voiceovers:
Incorporate music and voiceovers to set the mood, provide context, and guide viewers through the property. You can use free music from other platforms. There’s nothing wrong with that except for commercial use. It’s better to have licensed music.
The ones in the market are AudioJungle, Epidemic Sound, Artlist, and Soundstripe. The cheaper option is buying bulk music with unlimited commercial rights for usage, or some deals offer a yearly license for unlimited music download.
4. Create smooth transitions:
5. Export in high-quality formats:
Incorporating Drone Footage into Your Real Estate Marketing Strategy
1. Optimize for online sharing:
2. Incorporate your drone footage:
3. Utilize social media:
4. Create virtual property tours:
5. Measure and analyze performance:
Track the performance of your drone videos, analyzing metrics such as views, engagement, and leads generated to refine your marketing strategy.
Drone footage has become an essential tool in real estate marketing, offering a powerful way to showcase properties and attract potential buyers. By leveraging drone technology’s unique perspectives and captivating visuals, you can set your listings apart from the competition and generate more leads and sales.
Remember to choose the right drone, comply with relevant regulations, prepare thoroughly for your shoots, and employ effective editing techniques to create high-quality, impactful drone videos. By incorporating drone footage into your real estate marketing strategy, you can promote your brand, demonstrate your expertise, and drive more successful transactions.
If this is too overwhelming for you and you would rather hire a professional Drone Photographer, check out Visionary Views’ portfolio and our Drone Packages here. A drone photo starts at $215. Learn more about Visionary Views Service.
