Table of Contents
- Understanding the Value of Drone Photography
- Factors Influencing Drone Photography Pricing
- Pricing Models for Drone Real Estate Photography Prices
- Factors That Affect Drone Real Estate Photography Cost
- What Are the Best Drones for Real Estate Photography?
- How to Communicate Your Pricing to Clients
- Get Expert Drone Editing Help – Outsource to PhotoUp!
Drone photography has revolutionized the real estate industry, offering breathtaking aerial views that elevate property listings. As we move into 2025, the demand for drone photography continues to rise, but pricing varies based on several factors.
In this article, we’ll explore the average costs, pricing models, and factors influencing drone photography pricing, as well as provide guidance on how to communicate pricing effectively to clients.
We’ll also cover some good options for drones and how to get access to professional editing of aerial real estate photography.
Understanding the Value of Drone Photography
Drone photography allows real estate professionals to showcase properties from unique perspectives.
Utilizing drones in real estate marketing offers a dynamic perspective of the property, showcasing unique angles that highlight the home, roof, yard, and surrounding area.
In 2025, drone photography will see widespread adoption, particularly for luxury homes and expansive properties.
Drone photography can, for example, highlight:
- Curb Appeal: Aerial shots capture the entire property, surrounding landscape, and neighborhood and can improve the curb appeal of a listing
- Property Features: Showcase large estates, outdoor amenities, and proximity to local landmarks helping potential buyers see the full potential of the property
- Difficult-to-Access Areas: Drones can help you capture images of difficult-to-access areas of a property, such as a roof, which can be useful for inspections or insurance purposes
- Marketing Advantage: High-quality drone visuals attract more buyers and elevate the perceived value of the property
Overall, drone photography can provide a unique perspective on a property and its surrounding area that isn’t possible with ground-based photography.
This can help to showcase the property and its location more dynamically and attractively. Consider these statistics to back up the effectiveness of aerial photography for home sales:
- Research shows that 83% of home sellers prefer to work with a real estate agent who uses drone photography
- About 80% of active listing agents use drone photography and videography to market their listings and listings that use drone photography sell, on average, 68% faster than those without
- Homes with aerial images can see a price increase of up to 10%, as these photos provide a unique and appealing perspective
- Lastly, more than 20% of commercial drone shoots are now done for or related to a real estate goal
Investing in drone photography can lead to faster sales and higher offers, making it a valuable tool for agents and sellers alike.
Factors Influencing Drone Photography Pricing in 2025
Several factors impact the cost of drone real estate photography—from the photographer’s experience and geographic location to the size of the property.
Here are a few factors to consider, starting with the photographer’s experience:
| Experience Level of the Photographer | Average Price |
| Beginner | $75 – $150 per property |
| Intermediate | $150 – $300 per property |
| Professional | $300 – $500+ per property |
The size of the property is another factor that will influence the price:
| Property Size | Average Price |
| Small properties (<1,000 sq. ft.) | $75 – $150 |
| Medium properties (1,000 – 3,000 sq. ft.) | $150 – $350 |
| Large properties (>3,000 sq. ft.) | $350+ |
Additionally, the inclusion of drone video will increase the price:
| Video Inclusion | Average Price |
| Drone photos and video (5 – 10+ aerial images 30-second-to-2-minute video) | $250 – $500 |
| Drone photos and video (15 – 25+ aerial images and 1-to-3-minute video) | $350 – $800 |
You also need to consider factors such as:
Geographic Location:
- Urban areas tend to have higher prices due to demand and competition
- Rural areas might offer more affordable options
Service Inclusions:
- Basic aerial photos vs videos, 3D mapping, or virtual tours will affect the price
Additional Costs:
- Travel fees, post-production editing, and weather-related scheduling will also matter
These are the typical factors that will decide drone real estate photography pricing in 2025.
Other Factors Influencing Drone Real Estate Photography Pricing
In addition to the above, here are other factors that will influence drone real estate photography prices:
- Drone Type: Professional-grade drones range in cost from $600 to over $10,000. Pilots equipped with advanced models often charge higher fees due to the superior image and video quality these drones deliver
- Volume of Content: The price increases with the number of photos or the duration of video footage, as more time is required for both capturing and editing the content
- FAA Regulations: Licensed drone pilots are required to comply with FAA regulations, and additional permits may be necessary for shooting in restricted airspace, which can affect the overall cost
- Insurance Coverage: Professional drone operators typically invest $450 to $750 or more annually in liability insurance, and this expense is reflected in their service pricing
Understanding these elements can help you evaluate pricing more effectively and ensure you’re getting the best value for high-quality results.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at the different pricing models for drone photography.
Pricing Models for Drone Real Estate Photography Prices
Drone real estate photography offers various pricing models tailored to fit the unique needs of properties and projects.
Pricing models for drone real estate photography vary based on:
| Flat Rate: | A fixed fee for a set number of photos or videos. Example: $250 for 10 aerial photos. |
| Hourly Rate: | Charged per hour of shooting and editing time. Example: $100 – $200/hour. |
| Price Per Square Foot: | Rates based on the property’s square footage. Example: $0.10 – $0.25 per sq. ft. |
| Package Deals: | Bundled services combining drone photography with other media offerings like floor plans or twilight conversions. Example: $400 for aerial photos, videos, and a 2D floor plan. |
By understanding these pricing structures, you can choose the best option to showcase properties effectively while staying within budget.
Factors That Affect Drone Real Estate Photography Cost
Several factors influence the cost of drone real estate photography, ranging from environmental conditions to the level of expertise and equipment used. Here are a few examples:
- Weather Conditions: Poor weather may require rescheduling or additional editing, increasing costs
- Equipment Used: Advanced drones with higher resolution cameras and stabilizers lead to better quality but may raise prices
- Licensing and Certifications: Professionals with FAA Part 107 certification typically charge more due to their expertise and compliance
- Turnaround Time: Faster delivery often incurs premium fees
- Editing Requirements: Complex post-production, such as adding graphics or enhancing visuals, can increase overall costs. Editing can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 per image
By considering these variables, you can better plan your budget and ensure you receive high-quality results tailored to your needs.
It’s important to remember that while a lower price may seem appealing, it’s also important to consider the quality of the work and the experience of the photographer.
Investing in a professional drone photographer can help to ensure that you are getting high-quality images that will help showcase your property in the best possible light.
It’s always recommendable to ask for a portfolio, references, and insurance from the photographer to make sure you’re hiring a professional.
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What Are the Best Drones for Real Estate Photography?
If you’re a real estate photographer looking for a drone to take your photography to the next level, we have listed some good options.
Naturally, some drones are better and easier to operate when it comes to shooting properties. We recommend the following 4 drones that you can find on Amazon:
1. DJI Mini 2 Fly More Combo – Ultralight Foldable Drone
This model is DJI’s smallest drone yet. Perfect for beginners, it’s fairly easy to use.
Here are some of its features:
- 12 MP Camera with Dolly Zoom
- Can fly up to 24 mph (38 kph) with ActiveTrack, TapFly, and other smart features that make your photography and video easier
- Just about 27 Minutes of Flight Time per charge
Some other features to consider:
- This small drone is affordable and shoots 4K video
- This model doesn’t provide obstacle avoidance or HDR
- Ideal for those who want a simple, entry-level drone to start
The DJI Mini 2 is ideal for those new to real estate aerial photography. Also, it can handle up to Level 5 Wind Resistance, providing stable photos and video.
2. Flightelf Professional Sony Camera Drone
Sony’s Flightelf Professional combines intelligent shooting modes with a quality camera. It’s a good choice for real estate agents and photographers who want to take their photography to the next level.
This drone features:
- Obstacle avoidance technology and a 3-axis gimbal
- Up to 90 minutes of flight time
- Shoots 4K at 25 FPS and uses digital zoom rather than mechanical
An affordable option, the Flightelf allows you to select from a 30 minute, 60 minutes, and 90 minute flight time, depending on price.
One drawback of this drone, the image resolution is 2048 x 1080p. But that’s still an HD resolution and the flight is stabilized through the gimbal.
Other functions include 50x zoom, an automatic GPS return to home, and even gesture recognition.
3. DJI Mavic Air 2 – Drone Quadcopter UAV With 48MP Camera and 4K Video
DJI Mavic Air 2 offers intelligent shooting functions and excellent image quality, and its safer flight features enable you to focus on your photography.
Here are some of its features:
- Advanced 48 MP photography, HDR, and 4K video
- A 1/2 inch image sensor and 8K hyper-lapse
- 34 minutes of flight time
- It also has automatic obstacle avoidance
With this drone, you can take real estate photography and videos without having to be extremely precise. An ideal model for a newbie, you can get aerial photos easily and quickly.
And even if you’re not used to flying drones, this model uses stabilizers and a gimbal to improve performance.
4. Ruko F11 Pro Drones With 4K UHD Camera
The Ruko F11 Pro has advanced features such as 5GHz Wi-Fi FPV real-time data transmission, a brushless, aluminum alloy motor, and an 11.1v battery that powers a more stable flight.
This drone offers many advantages:
- Strong GPS positioning and air pressure help the drone hover stably and avoid camera vibration
- A solid 36-minute flight time, a 4K camera, and multiple flight modes
- An excellent option for those who want a collapsible, lightweight drone that transports easily
This drone does present two concerns. First, it has to have its battery changed after 30 minutes. Second, it doesn’t have obstacle avoidance.
Still, this drone is more than sufficient for real estate professionals who want to take high-quality aerial videos and images.
To summarize, these 4 drones are more than sufficient for real estate photographers who want to take high-quality aerial videos and images.
Now, let’s move on to a subject that may be difficult for some photographers—how to communicate your pricing to clients.
How to Communicate Your Pricing to Clients
If you’re a real estate photographer looking to market your services, clear communication about pricing is essential for building trust and setting expectations.
Here’s how to do it:
- Be Transparent: Provide a detailed breakdown of costs, including shooting, editing, and any extras
- Highlight Value: Explain the benefits of drone photography, such as better marketing appeal and faster sales
- Offer Customization: Allow clients to choose from packages or tailor services to their needs
- Use Visual Aids: Share sample photos and videos to justify your pricing
- Address Questions Upfront: Be prepared to explain factors influencing costs, such as weather delays or licensing requirements
By clearly communicating value, offering tailored options, and addressing potential concerns upfront, you can build trust and demonstrate why your drone photography services are worth the investment.
Final Thoughts
Drone real estate photography pricing in 2025 reflects a balance of expertise, equipment, and client needs. On average, costs range from $75 for basic services to $500+ for professional-grade work.
By understanding the factors influencing these prices and communicating them effectively, photographers can attract clients while delivering exceptional value.
Investing in drone photography is a win-win for both real estate professionals and property sellers, ensuring listings stand out in a competitive market.
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Except for drone photo editing, our team can also help with the following issues:
- HDR editing
- Improper exposure levels
- Harsh shadows, lack of light, etc.
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- Clutter and object removal
- Day-to-dusk and twilight editing
- Line and angle corrections, etc.
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We have everything you need to enhance and market real estate photography in one user-friendly software.
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Step 1. Sign up for a free PhotoUp account.
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We hope this blog post laid out what you can expect regarding drone real estate photography pricing in 2025. Before you go, you may also want to check out the following resources:
