Why Drone Photography Isn’t Just a Fancy Extra – It’s a Smart Business Move

When hiring a photographer, many offer drone services for an additional fee, provided the location is within a legal flight zone. Proximity to airports or prisons may complicate or increase the cost of obtaining necessary permissions, as photographers might need to negotiate with air traffic control, incurring billable hours.

Considering the potential benefits for your business, a drone can capture unique team photos outside your building. Even with a small team, this approach offers a refreshing alternative to traditional group shots. Drones can also address the challenge of shy team members hiding in photos, as capturing images from above encourages everyone to look up, providing a flattering angle that minimizes concerns like double chins. Positioning the team below the company logo can enhance the visual impact, especially on a sunny day.

For property shots, a drone can start at the front of the building and gradually move away, capturing progressively larger images of the area. This can include a satellite-style view from directly above, useful for highlighting specific areas such as manufacturing zones, offices, canteens, and fire routes. For manufacturers with large internal spaces, drones can capture impressive images of the facility, showcasing its scale. New machinery installations can also be photographed in their entirety, a feat often unachievable with ground cameras.

In terms of video capabilities, drones can perform a full circuit around your building, creating dynamic footage. A drone can be positioned in front of your company logo and then perform a backward sweep, which, when reversed in post-processing, creates a striking zoom-in effect. Drones can also tour larger spaces like car parks and loading bays, capturing operational activities such as forklift trucks and delivery vehicles in action. In industrial settings, drones can document processes like quarry operations or conveyor belt activities, providing versatile b-roll footage.

FPV (First Person View) drones, though less common, offer a more immersive video experience. The photographer uses goggles to see what the drone sees, akin to a first-person video game. This allows for intricate maneuvers, such as flying through open car windows or navigating close to factory operations. FPV drones can create engaging virtual tours of facilities, offering a real-time walkthrough of key areas, with staff interactions adding a personal touch. However, it’s advisable to tidy the area beforehand, as the drone’s propellers may stir up dust or move loose papers.

These are just a few reasons to consider whether your photographer offers drone services and how they can be leveraged for your business.