Lets be real, buying a drone is expensive. We don’t all have thousands of dollars lying around in the bank to spend on a flying camera. But what if this flying camera could make us money?
It’s very possible to earn money from drones. It could be as simple as selling pictures online if you’re introverted and don’t want to deal with people.
This guide will explore how to make money with a drone, including selling aerial photographs and getting jobs and required licenses—drawing from my personal experience as a drone photographer and video producer for over six years.
Beginner Steps: How to Make Money with a Drone
I will start with the beginner steps to making money with your drone and then get into the more advanced steps.
1. Selling Stock Footage and Photography
One of the easiest ways to enter the drone market is through stock footage and photography. Platforms like Shutterstock, Pond5 and Adobe Stock have seen a rising demand for high-quality aerial content, making this a good idea to earn extra income.
Getting Started with Stock Content
- Choose Your Platforms: Sign up on popular stock sites like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Pond5.
- Understand Requirements: Familiarise yourself with each platform’s submission guidelines and legal requirements.
- Diversify Your Content: Capture a wide variety of aerial photos and footage. This could include:
- Scenic landscapes in rural areas
- Urban cityscapes
- Large areas of agricultural land
- Unique perspectives of well-known landmarks
- Beaches and coastal areas
- Use the Right Drone: Invest in the right type of equipment. A drone with a high-quality camera like the DJI Mavic 2 or 3, Mini 4 Pro or the DJI Air 3 is essential for producing professional-grade content.
- Editing the Shots: Learn to edit your drone shots on platforms like Adobe Premiere Pro for video and Lightroom for photos. When selling on stock sites it’s good practice to not go overboard on the edits but make them presentable.
Tips for Selling Stock Drone Footage
- Stay Current with Trends: Stock websites have trend pages to show you what’s hot right now. If you can somehow shoot shots similar to what’s trending then this can boost your sales and get more eyeballs on your products.
- Capture Unique Perspectives: Use your drone’s camera to capture angles that are impossible to achieve from the ground. This could include shots of moving vehicles, crowded events, or sweeping vistas.
- Understand Legal Constraints: Be aware of local regulations regarding drone flights. Avoid flying over private property without permission, and respect no-fly zones.
- Optimise Your Metadata: Use relevant keywords and as many as possible when uploading your content to make it easily discoverable by potential customers.
- Consistency is Key: Regularly upload new content to maintain visibility on stock platforms.
- Sell Videos: You earn a lot more money selling videos than photos. Photos can be a waste of time selling for as little as 20 cent where as video sells usually above the $5 to $30 range for a 10-15 second clip.
- Specialise in a Specific Area: Becoming known for a particular type of aerial photography (e.g., wedding photography, real estate, or nature scenes) can help you stand out in the market. I’ve focused on beach photography in Western Australia.
- Leverage Social Media Platforms: Use platforms like Instagram and YouTube to showcase your work and attract potential customers. Include links in your bio via a link tree to add multiple links in one spot.
By focusing on producing high-quality aerial photos and footage, understanding the market demand, and continuously improving your skills, stock photography can be a great way to make money with a drone.
2. Selling Drone Photography Prints and Digital Downloads
One of my favourite ways how to make money with a drone is to see the come to life through prints! Transform your best drone shots into a passive income stream by selling prints and digital downloads.
Selling Physical Prints
- Framed prints: Offer your best drone shots as high-quality framed prints.
- Canvas: Large-scale canvas prints of aerial photography.
- Prints: Some people will want to frame the print themselves and they’re easier to deliver.
- Photo books/ calendars:Compile your best shots into themed photo books and calendars.
- Postcards and greeting cards: Create unique cards featuring your aerial photography.
Digital Downloads
- Stock photo websites: Sell your aerial footage on platforms like Shutterstock, Getty Images and Adobe Stock(videos sell for a lot more).
- Etsy shop: Set up a shop on Etsy to sell digital downloads or prints of your drone photography.
- Personal website: Create your own website to showcase and sell your work directly to customers.
- Lightroom presets: Develop and sell presets for editing drone photos in Adobe Lightroom.
Tips for Success
- Focus on unique angles: Capture scenes from angles that are impossible to achieve without a drone.
- Print quality matters: If selling physical prints, invest in high-quality printing services. Fine art paper is recommended. Get some prints done at your local printers to compare quality.
- Create collections: Group your photos into themed collections to appeal to specific interests.
- Offer customisation: Allow customers to request custom sizes or finishes for physical prints.
Where to Sell Drone Prints and Canvas
- Facebook Marketplace: Create some canvas and framed prints then upload them to Facebook marketplace.
- Gumtree: Add the same canvas and framed prints to Gumtree.
- eBay: Sell your framed prints and canvas on eBay.
- Website: Create a shop on your website selling prints and canvas.
- Etsy: Sell prints, canvas or framed prints on Etsy. Prints are the easiest to deliver. Digital downloads are even easier.
- Local Market: Open a stall on the local market showcasing your framed prints and canvas.
- Art Gallery: Speak to your local art galleries and see if they will sell your canvas and framed prints. They usually take 50% of the profit.
3. Start a YouTube Channel
As someone who has been creating drone videos for YouTube for years, I can confidently say that this platform offers great potential to make money with a drone. Here’s how you can monetise your drone content on YouTube:
Building Your Channel
- Define your niche: Decide whether you want to focus on drone reviews, travel videos, tutorials, or a mix of content.
- Create high-quality content: Use your video editing skills to produce engaging and visually appealing videos.
- Consistency is key: Establish a regular upload schedule to keep your audience engaged.
- Engage with your audience: Respond to comments and build a community around your channel.
- Optimise for search: Use relevant keywords in your titles, descriptions, and tags to improve discoverability.
Monetisation Strategies
- Ad revenue: Once you meet the YouTube Partner Program requirements, you can enable ads on your videos.
- Sponsored content: Partner with drone manufacturers or related brands for sponsored videos.
- Affiliate marketing: Include affiliate links to drone gear in your video descriptions.
- Merchandise: Create and sell branded merchandise to your fans.
- Channel memberships: Offer exclusive perks to paying subscribers.
Advanced Steps: How to Make Money with a Drone
4. Real Estate Photography and Videography
The real estate industry has embraced drone technology, creating a decent opportunity for drone operators. Here’s how you can make money with a drone in the real estate space:
Services You Can Offer
- Aerial property photos: Capture stunning overhead shots of properties and their surroundings.
- Virtual property tours: Create immersive video walkthroughs that showcase properties from unique angles both inside and outside of the house.
- Neighborhood flyover videos: Offer potential buyers a bird’s-eye view of the entire neighbourhood.
- Land surveys: Help developers and investors assess large plots of land.
Getting Started in Real Estate Drone Photography
- Build a portfolio: Start by offering free or discounted services to local realtors to build your portfolio.
- Network: Attend real estate events and join local business groups to connect with potential clients.
- Create packages: Offer different service packages to cater to various client needs and budgets. Example – 10 photos and 6 videos for $200, 15 photos, 5 videos and a 360 camera walkthrough of the inside for $250.
- Emphasize your value: Highlight how drone footage can help properties sell faster and for higher prices. The photos of a property are the only thing a buyer online can see to make judgment.
5. Wedding and Event Videography
Getting into event drone commercial photography can take a while. You will most likely need to get a remote pilot licence(RePL) and work with a company/ person that has a remote operator’s certificate (ReOC). Which can be expensive but also pay off well.
Drones can add a unique and dramatic perspective to wedding videos and other special events. Here’s how to make money with a drone in the wedding and event industry:
Types of Events to Cover
- Wedding photographer
- Concerts and music festivals
- Sporting events
- Corporate events and conferences
- Graduations and school events
Tips for Event Drone Videography
- Coordinate with other vendors: Work with other photographers and videographers to ensure smooth operations.
- Capture establishing shots: Use your drone to capture stunning aerial views of the venue and surroundings.
- Be unobtrusive: Learn to operate your drone quietly and discreetly to avoid disturbing the event. For example keeping distance, using zoom and using quieter propellers.
- Offer packages: Create different service packages that can be combined with traditional videography services.
Event drone photography can be exciting and a great way to meet new clients and get more work.
6. Aerial Inspections and Surveys
Drones are increasingly being used for various types of inspections and surveys. This technical application of drone technology can be a lucrative way to make money with a drone.
Types of Inspections and Surveys
- Construction site monitoring: Track progress and identify potential issues on construction projects.
- Infrastructure inspections: Examine bridges, power lines, and other hard-to-reach structures.
- Agricultural surveys: Help farmers assess crop health and plan irrigation strategies.
- Environmental monitoring: Assist in wildlife counts, forest management, and pollution monitoring.
Getting Started with Inspection Services
- Gain relevant certificates: Depending on your location, you may need specific certifications for commercial drone operations. A remote pilot licence(RePL) allows you to work under someone who has a remote operations certificate(ReOC).
- Invest in specialised equipment: Thermal cameras or multispectral sensors may be necessary for certain types of inspections. A drone with a mechanical shutter like the DJI enterprise Mavic 3 or Matrice 300RTK drone is needed for 3D modelling to take 100s of images rapidly.
- Develop data analysis skills: Learn to interpret the data you collect to provide valuable insights to your clients. This applies to learning necessary software like Pix4D for processing 3D models.
7. Aerial Mapping and 3D Modeling
To get into this you will need to acquire some licenses like the RePL or ReOC. If you’re just starting off then I suggest getting the RePL and then trying to get a job with a company who will train you in these different areas.
Creating detailed maps and 3D models using drone footage is another specialised way to make money with a drone. This service is valuable for various industries, including construction, mining, and urban planning.
Services You Can Offer
- Topographic mapping: Create accurate terrain models for land development projects.
- Volumetric calculations: Help mining or construction companies measure stockpiles or excavation progress.
- 3D modelling of buildings: Assist architects and engineers in creating detailed models of existing structures. Companies want their warehouses inspected for damage.
- Urban planning visualisations: Help city planners visualise proposed developments.
Skills and Tools Needed
- Photogrammetry software: Learn to use software like Pix4D or DroneDeploy to process your aerial data.
- GIS knowledge: Understanding Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be a valuable skill in this field.
- Flight planning: Learn the art of planning efficient flight paths for mapping missions.
- Data processing: Develop skills in cleaning and processing large datasets.
8.Drone Training and Education
Share your knowledge and experience to help others learn how to fly drones and make money with a drone.
Types of Training You Can Offer
- Beginner flight courses: Teach newcomers the basics of drone operation and safety.
- Commercial drone pilot preparation: Help aspiring commercial pilots prepare for certification exams.
- Specialised skills training: Offer courses on aerial photography, videography, or mapping.
- Drone maintenance workshops: Teach users how to maintain and repair their drones.
Ways to Deliver Training
- In-person classes: Offer hands-on training sessions in your local area.
- Online courses: Create and sell video courses on platforms like Udemy or Teachable(becoming very popular).
- Webinars: Host live online training sessions for remote students.
- One-on-one coaching: Offer personalised instruction for those seeking intensive training.
Building Your Reputation as a Trainer
- Get certified: Obtain relevant certifications to establish your credibility. A remote pilot licence (RePL)is the first one to get.
- Create free content: Share tips and tutorials on YouTube or your blog to attract potential students(maybe to just teach one area like printing or how to fly).
- Partner with drone retailers: Offer training packages to customers purchasing new drones.
- Attend industry events: Speak at drone conferences or workshops to gain exposure.
Wrap Up
Which of these techniques on how to make money with a drone will you try? If you’re new to drones then uploading your videos to Shutterstock or Adobe Stock would be a great place to start.
Watch YouTube videos to learn new skills with your drone. For those wanting to get full time work with a drone then getting a remote pilot licence is essential.
Creating content online can increase your exposure and impress potential clients who will want to work with you. If this article helps you make an extra dollar or two then I am happy.
Key Highlights
1. Get some canvas and framed prints produced at your local print shop then sell on Facebook, Gumtree or eBay.
2. Upload photos/ videos to stock websites like Shutterstock and Adobe Stock(videos sell for a lot more).
3. Contact realtors to seek out real estate drone photography work.
4. Get your remote pilot licence to work as a surveyor or at events.
5. Create YouTube videos whether that’s drone reviews or travel clips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Legally Sell my Drone Footage in Australia?
Yes, selling drone footage is legal in Australia. You just need to follow all the Australian drone rules. You must respect people’s privacy. Do not film over private property without their permission.
How Much can I Earn with Drone Photography in the Australian market?
The amount of money you can earn in Australia from drone photography depends on your experience, the clients you have, and the demand for your work.
You could sell a framed print let’s say 60x90cm for anywhere between $300-$800 depending on your skills, paper, glass and frame quality.
Drone stock videos can be sold anywhere between $1-$200 for a 15 second clip. It depends on how unique your clip is and the demand.
Do I Need a Special License to Offer Drone Services in Australia?
Yes, if you want to use drones for commercial purposes in Australia, you need a drone license. You must have a Remote Pilot Certificate (RePL) to follow the Australian drone rules for commercial drone activities.
What are the Best Drones for Starting a Drone Business?
If you are looking for commercial drones in the drone industry, the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise and the DJI Matrice 300 are two popular options. Both have a mechanical shutter for 3D modelling.
The best drones for beginners are the DJI Mavic 3 and DJI Mini 4 Pro are great choices. They have excellent cameras, a flight time of around 45 minutes and can shoot in 4K. They can work well with different types of equipment needed for various drone businesses.
I'm Matt, a writer and drone photographer with over 6 years in the field. I specialize in all things drones – from buying guides and editing tips to monetization strategies. My goal is to help enthusiasts and professionals alike navigate the exciting world of aerial photography and videography, sharing insights that turn drone passion into expertise and opportunity.
