How to Get an Aerial Photo of My Property Using Drone Technology
- Anvita Shrivastava
- 23 hours ago
- 4 min read
Aerial photography has become more accessible than ever thanks to modern drone technology. Whether you are a homeowner, real estate professional, land developer, or simply curious about your property from above, drones offer a fast, cost‑effective, and highly accurate way to capture stunning aerial images.
What Is Aerial Property Photography?
Aerial property photography involves capturing images of land, buildings, or infrastructure from an elevated perspective using a UAV, commonly known as a drone. Unlike satellite imagery, drone photography provides:
Much higher resolution
Up‑to‑date visuals
Custom angles and flight paths
Precise coverage of specific property boundaries
This makes drone imagery ideal for real estate listings, construction monitoring, surveying, inspections, and land documentation.
Step 1: Define Your Purpose And Required Images
Establish the purpose of the photo before flying a drone to get one. This will affect how you prepare your drone, what type of flight plan you create, and the types of images you will take.
Some popular examples of projects that use aerial photos include:
Real estate marketing - Cinematic productions and wide-angle or oblique views. Land surveying - Creating orthomosaic maps and taken from nadir (overhead). Construction Progress Tracking - Multiple flights with the same framing will give you a time-lapse view of the job site. Property Inspection - Use high zoom that provides detail of the roofs and/or structures.
Some technical information you will need when you prepare to conduct your project is the following:
Image resolution (20 Megapixels, 48 Megapixels, etc.)
Still Images vs. Video
Single Image vs. Stitched Map
Step 2: Choosing the Right Drone for Aerial Photography
Choosing the proper drone for your aerial photography is crucial, and it will also affect your flight safety. For property photography, you should choose drones that have stable cameras, GPS positioning, and UAVs that have some level of obstacle avoidance capabilities.
Recommended features to look for when purchasing a drone for Property Imaging:
Camera (must have a minimum of) 20 Megapixel sensor, adjustable aperture preferred.
Gimbal - Mechanical stabilization will be necessary on a 3-axis gimbal.
GPS + GLONASS - The best possible GPS systems will have both, since they give you better positioning capabilities.
Flight Time - The ideal flight time is a minimum of 25 -30 minutes of recordable video.
Obstacle Avoidance - Look for forward, backward, and downward sensor capabilities.
Popular Drones for Property Imaging:
DJI Mini 4 Pro (Lightweight, under 250g).
DJI Air 3 (Dual Camera System). DJI Mavic 3 Classic or Pro (Professional Grade Images).
Autel EVO Lite+ (Good in low light conditions).
Step 3: Comprehend the FAA Regulations Governing Drones in the U.S.
The FAA regulates every aspect of the operation of drones in the U.S. All drone operators must comply with the FAA's regulations, even for flights taking place over private property.
Recreational v/s Commercial
Recreational use of a drone requires completion of a TRUST test. Commercial use (i.e., Real Estate Marketing, Inspections) requires the operator to obtain a FAA Part 107 certification.
Essential FAA Rules You Must Follow
Do not fly above 400 feet AGL.
Maintain a visual line of sight of the drone.
Do not fly over people or moving vehicles.
Do not enter Restricted or Controlled Airspace without having received proper authorization.
Register the drone if it's required.
Use FAA-approved apps (i.e., LAANC, B4UFLY) to check airspace restrictions before flying.
Step 4: Make a Plan Before Your Flight With Your Drone.
Careful pre-planning of your flight will keep you safe and provide you with the highest quality images.
Pre-Flight Planning:
Make sure to check weather conditions (the wind should be below 15 mph at a minimum).
Ensure a strong GPS signal and ensure that the compass is calibrated.
Determine the return-to-home altitude in advance and set this altitude before taking off.
Check that all propellers and batteries are functional and in good condition.
Pre-Flight Planning Tips:
The best time of day to fly to capture images with the best quality lighting is during the "golden hour" (sunrise or sunset).
Flying in an organized pattern, such as grid patterns or waypoint missions, should be used to create maps of the area.
The altitude of your drone should remain constant when photographing to ensure proper stitching of images.
For advanced uses such as mapping or repeatable flights, DroneDeploy, Pix4D, or DJI Pilot 2 software can assist you.
Step 5: Record Aerial Photography at High Quality
Proper flight planning ensures safety and optimal image quality.
Pre‑Flight Checklist
Check weather conditions (wind under 15 mph recommended)
Verify GPS signal and compass calibration.
Set return‑to‑home altitude
Inspect propellers and batteries.
Flight Planning Tips
Fly during golden hour for the best lighting.
Use grid or waypoint missions for mapping.
Maintain consistent altitude for stitched images.
Avoid flying directly into the sun.
For advanced mapping or repeatable missions, software such as DroneDeploy, Pix4D, or DJI Pilot 2 can be used.
Step 6: Post Processing & Photo Editing
Post-processing raw images produced by drones enhances the overall quality.
Commonly Used Editing Software
Lightroom or Photoshop by Adobe;
Capture One
Pix4D Mapper - for orthomosaicing;
DroneDeploy - for processing in the cloud.
Steps for Post Processing
Correct exposure & white balance settings.
Remove noise & sharpen the details;
Stitch photos together if making a map.
Export web-ready & print-ready files.
Step 7: Hiring a Professional Drone Pilot (Optional)
If you prefer not to fly a drone yourself, hiring a licensed drone pilot is a reliable option.
Benefits of a Professional Operator
FAA Part 107 certified
Insured operations
Professional‑grade equipment
Faster turnaround time
Compliance with local and federal laws
When hiring, ask for:
Sample portfolio
Proof of certification
Insurance coverage
Deliverable formats and resolution
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Flying without checking the airspace
Ignoring local privacy considerations
Shooting only JPEG instead of RAW
Flying in high winds
Underestimating post‑processing time
Capturing aerial photographs of your land has never been easier, safer, or cheaper than it is today. By selecting an appropriate drone, being familiar with the relevant FAA regulations, planning the flight path, and utilizing the correct photographic technique, anyone can create high-quality aerial photographs that have a positive effect on the property.
UAVSphere aims to provide drone users/professionals with dependable, technical information on all aspects of UAV technology. Aerial photography is one of the most gratifying uses for modern UAVs, whether you are just starting out or already have extensive experience with drone operations.
For more information or any questions regarding the aerial photos, please don't hesitate to contact us at:
Email:
USA (HQ): (720) 702–4849