You’ve stumbled upon a treasure trove of knowledge for mastering real estate photo and video drone shoots. Brought to you by Mike Burke of Inside Real Estate Photography, this video breaks down tried-and-tested techniques that maximize both efficiency and quality. Imagine shaving valuable minutes off your workflow while still delivering stunning results—perfect for those of you juggling multiple shoots in a single day.
The video doesn’t just stop at techniques; it includes invaluable insight on must-have gear, and software tools like Luminar and Adobe to elevate your editing game. Burke also covers essentials for legal and safety measures, such as FAA Part 107 certification. So, whether you’re fine-tuning your skills or stepping into commercial drone work, you’ll find something beneficial here. Plus, Mike’s community offers a fantastic opportunity for networking and expert consultation through his Patreon, making it an ideal resource for photography professionals seeking growth.
In this video, you’ll explore how to conduct a real estate photo and video drone shoot, including the camera settings I use. Over time, I have crafted a method for executing real estate drone shoots, which will assist you in optimizing your workflow, conserve valuable on-site time, and achieve impressive results. If you’re like me, you likely have another session to attend, and time is money. Striking a balance between efficiency and quality is vital for success in the real estate photography industry!
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Preparation and Planning
Researching the property and its surroundings
When preparing for a real estate drone shoot, your first task is to research the property and its surroundings. This includes understanding the layout of the property, the unique features you want to highlight, and any access restrictions you might face. Knowing the surrounding area is critical as it allows you to capture not just the home but also the neighborhood, showcasing what makes the location desirable. Additionally, consider any geographical features or landmarks nearby that could add value to your shots, giving potential buyers a full picture of the property’s setting. The more you know before you arrive, the more efficient your shoot will be.
Understanding client requirements and expectations
Understanding your client’s requirements and expectations is vital for a successful drone shoot. Engage in a conversation with your client to determine what they envision for the photos and videos. Do they want more emphasis on certain features of the property, or do they have a specific style in mind? Are there particular shots they want that might require special considerations? By aligning your shoot with the client’s vision right from the beginning, you ensure that the final product meets their expectations and enhances your professional relationship.
Determining the best time of day for shooting
The timing of your shoot can greatly impact the quality of your footage. The golden hours—shortly after sunrise or before sunset—often provide the best natural light, offering soft shadows and warm tones which can enhance the attractiveness of the property. However, each property is unique, and you’ll want to consider factors like the orientation of the building and its relation to the sun’s path. Discussing these elements with your client can help determine the optimal shooting time to capture the property in the best light literally and figuratively.
Gear and Equipment Selection
Choosing the right drone for real estate shoots
Choosing the right drone is pivotal for real estate photography. For many, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro is a popular choice due to its excellent performance and quality of imagery. Its portability and advanced features make it suitable for capturing stunning aerial footage efficiently. When selecting a drone, consider aspects such as flight time, camera quality, and the availability of features like obstacle avoidance and panorama shooting, as these will influence both the quality of your shots and your shooting experience.
Recommended cameras and lenses
When it comes to cameras and lenses, you want equipment that ensures sharpness and accuracy in your photos and videos. For a detailed and vibrant capture of interiors and exteriors, look for cameras that offer adjustable aperture and good low-light performance. Lenses with focal lengths suitable for both wide-angle shots and close-ups are beneficial, as they provide flexibility in capturing the property from various perspectives. Investing in high-quality gear will pay dividends in the caliber of your work.
Essential accessories, including filters and storage
To ensure a successful shoot, arm yourself with a collection of essential accessories. Filters, such as neutral density filters, help control exposure in bright conditions, enabling you to maintain optimal settings for both photos and video. High-capacity, reliable storage devices are also crucial, as they allow you to record for longer periods without interruption. Always carry spare batteries to accommodate the demands of a busy shooting schedule, and keep essential maintenance tools on hand to address minor equipment issues on-site.
Legal Compliance and Safety
FAA Part 107 certification requirements
Operating a drone for commercial purposes, including real estate photography, requires adherence to specific regulations. Obtaining an FAA Part 107 certification is mandatory and demonstrates your understanding of airspace regulations and safe drone operation practices. This certification not only ensures compliance with federal laws but also reassures clients of your professionalism and commitment to safety.
Importance of insurance for commercial drone operations
Insurance is an essential component of a professional drone operation. It protects you against potential liabilities and accidents that may occur during a shoot. Whether it’s damage to your gear or third-party property, having insurance provides peace of mind and security, allowing you to focus on capturing stunning images without fear of financial loss.
Conducting pre-flight checks and assessing risks
Prior to a flight, conducting a thorough pre-flight check is crucial. Inspect your drone and equipment to ensure everything is functioning properly. Assess the site for any potential hazards such as power lines, tall structures, or wildlife that could affect the safety of your operation. Being vigilant and cautious during these checks will minimize risks and contribute to a smooth and successful shoot.
Drone Settings for Photography
Configuring DJI Go app for optimal control
To achieve the best results, configure the DJI Go app for optimal control of your drone settings. Customize the button layout to enable quick adjustments to camera settings and obstacle avoidance features. This can include programming buttons for alternating between camera modes or quickly adjusting the gimbal tilt, allowing you to react swiftly during a shoot.
Using aperture priority mode
When shooting photos, aperture priority mode is highly recommended because it allows for maintaining depth of field while the camera automatically adjusts other settings to achieve proper exposure. This mode is particularly useful in changing lighting conditions, ensuring the camera adapts swiftly without requiring manual adjustments in the middle of a flight.
Setting ISO and exposure bracketing
Maintaining an ISO setting of 100 ensures image clarity with minimal noise. Together with exposure bracketing, capturing multiple exposures of the same scene, this allows greater flexibility in post-production. By capturing a range of exposures, you can create images with enhanced dynamic range, ideal for highlighting details in both shadows and highlights.
Drone Settings for Videography
Video resolution and frame rate recommendations
For professional real estate videography, shooting in high definition is key. A resolution of 1080p at 30 frames per second provides a balance between file size and image quality. While some prefer 4K for its superior resolution, it demands more storage and processing power. Thus, choosing a resolution suitable for both your equipment and end-use is essential.
Using aperture priority mode for video
Similarly, as in photography, using aperture priority mode for filming focuses on maintaining the desired aperture, with the drone managing shutter speed to control exposure. This simplifies the process, enabling quick transitions between photo and video modes during a shoot, enhancing efficiency without compromising on quality.
Camera settings for quality and consistency
Maintain consistent camera settings across shoots to ensure quality and ease of integration in post-production. This involves using standardized color profiles and white balance settings, which helps maintain visual consistency throughout the video, making it more professional and appealing to potential buyers.
Shot Composition and Techniques
Structured shooting approach from ground up
Adopting a structured approach to your drone shoot ensures comprehensive coverage of the property. Start with ground-level shots to capture the property’s foundation and progress to elevated views. This approach not only showcases the building’s entirety but also aligns with a natural viewing perspective, enhancing potential buyers’ comprehension of the space.
Capturing low-level shots of the property front
Begin with capturing low-level shots which highlight the front facade of the property. These shots are critical as they often form the first impression a buyer receives. Focus on architectural details and entry points, providing viewers with a clear and inviting image of the main entrance and its surrounding landscape.
Medium-height shots for detailed views
Medium-height shots provide an ideal perspective for highlighting specific architectural features and layout details. These shots can also showcase backyard amenities, patios, and pools, adding depth to the property’s portrayal. Carefully frame these shots for clarity and aesthetic balance to provide potential buyers with a comprehensive understanding of the property’s offerings.
Advanced Shooting Methods
Utilizing tripod mode for smoother movements
Employing tripod mode can greatly enhance the smoothness of your drone movements during filming. This mode restricts the speed and agility of the drone, allowing for deliberate and stable shots. Use this mode when precision is needed, such as when filming panoramic views or delicate maneuvers around architectural features.
Disabling vision sensors for low-level shots
For experienced drone operators, disabling vision sensors during low-level shots can offer more control and maneuverability. It allows you to get closer to structures and capture more intimate angles without unnecessary interference, although caution is vital to prevent accidental collisions with the environment.
Pull-away shots for dynamic property views
Pull-away shots are effective in providing dynamic and dramatic property views. Start close to the property and gradually ascend and pull away, revealing the house in its context within the neighborhood or surrounding landscape. This method not only emphasizes the scale but also offers a seamless transition from detailed views to an overarching perspective.
Editing and Post-Production
Recommended software tools: Luminar, Adobe
Post-production is where your footage comes to life, and utilizing the right software is crucial. Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop are industry staples, offering powerful tools for image enhancement and manipulation. Luminar also provides intuitive capabilities for adjusting lighting and colors, ensuring your final images and videos are professional-grade.
Using Photoshop actions and Lightroom presets
Leverage Photoshop actions and Lightroom presets to save time and maintain consistent quality across your edits. These tools automate repetitive tasks, allowing you to apply a unified look and feel to your images quickly. Experiment with different presets to establish a unique style that sets your work apart.
Sky replacement techniques and resources
Replacing a dull sky can dramatically enhance outdoor shots. With programs like Photoshop, you can use automated sky replacement features to brighten and add mood to your scenes. Accessing a library of sky textures and images further enriches your toolkit, enabling you to match skies to the overall tone and feel of your shoot.
Maximizing Efficiency and Quality
The balance between speed and quality
In real estate photography, balancing speed and quality is paramount. Efficient shooting practices, such as rapid setting adjustments and strategic shot planning, help maintain momentum without forfeiting quality. Always prioritize capturing sharp, well-exposed images over mere volume, ensuring each shot meets professional standards.
Mike Burke’s streamlined shooting approach
Adopting a streamlined approach, like the one developed by Mike Burke, emphasizes quick transitions and minimizes downtime between shots. By setting your equipment to handle a variety of scenarios seamlessly, you ensure that your workflow remains uninterrupted, reducing time on-site and increasing profitability.
Avoiding common mistakes and pitfalls
Common pitfalls include neglecting legal compliance, overexposure, and inadequate preparation. Avoid these by staying updated on regulations, meticulously managing settings, and being well-prepared before each shoot. Post-checking footage for quality and focus will also prevent mishaps from affecting your end product.
Conclusion
Summarizing the key steps in a real estate drone shoot
To sum up, successful real estate drone shoots require a blend of meticulous preparation, equipment knowledge, legal compliance, and skillful execution. From pre-shoot research to post-production editing, each step plays a vital role in delivering a compelling visual story of the property.
Encouragement to practice and refine skills
Like any art form, drone photography improves with practice. Regularly fine-tuning your technique and experimenting with new methods will enhance your capabilities and increase the quality of your output, setting you apart in the competitive real estate market.
Invitation to engage with creator’s additional content
Finally, we encourage you to continue learning and growing by engaging with content creators in the field. Mike Burke’s resources, including tutorials and community support, offer valuable insights and enable photographers to connect, innovate, and thrive in real estate photography.