9 Things To Consider Before Hiring
A Drone Photography Company

Over the past few years, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) industry has grown significantly as more and more businesses and individuals are utilizing drone technology globally. Businesses are leveraging this technology for aerial inspections, imagery, video footage, and drone surveys as a vital tool for maintenance and marketing purposes. Drone service providers can support companies in a variety of different industries like construction, real estate, and agriculture. However, as a business owner, determining the best drone photography company from such a saturated market is often challenging. To help you with the process, we have compiled a few factors that you need to consider before choosing the right drone photography company for your business.

1. Certified Pilots

Although there are many companies in the market with people who have mastered the art of flying drones, it’s always best to ensure that the drone service provider you work with is certified, qualified, and can reliably tackle complex inspections. 

Obstacles faced by intricate installations or harsh climate conditions can be quite challenging. However, a trained pilot knows how to deal with such situations. They examine and ascertain all the internal and external risks to ensure that your projects are being implemented swiftly with no added costs. Moreover, drone pilots operating commercially are required to be certified through the Federal Aviation Administration.

2. Portfolio

Before you begin your project with a drone photography company, it’s always best to see samples of their past projects. Analyzing their work portfolio will help you evaluate their expertise and understand whether the company has the right talent and resources to complete your project correctly and to your satisfaction. By getting a better idea of the quality of their work, you’ll build the right expectations and be able to determine if they are well-suited to meet your goals.

3. Positive Client Reviews and Testimonials

One of the best ways to evaluate a drone photography company’s success and reputation in the industry is by reflecting on feedback from former clients. This will give you a clear idea of how the company is recognized by its peers. But don’t just rely on the testimonials and reviews displayed on the website; explore the company’s social media profiles for more reliable and honest insights. You can also personally interact with former clients to discuss their experience with the company’s availability, responsiveness, adherence to deadlines, expertise, management, and more.

4. Insurance and Authorizations

Establishing the terms of operational liability and determining insurance coverage is also essential. Before hiring a drone service provider for your project, ensure that the company attains the appropriate insurance and has also received all necessary authorizations or airspace waivers to conduct drone operations in your area.

5. Capabilities and Limitations

Not all drone photographers are equal. Many of them are limited in the types of services they offer due to a lack of training, required skills, insufficient equipment, or an inability to analyze data correctly. Be sure to do a thorough assessment of their capabilities and limitations in order to make an informed decision.

6. Safety History

Another important factor you should consider before working with any drone service provider is their safety history. This will help you understand the company’s operational workflows, safety reporting systems, previous incidents, data acquisition standards, staff training, etc. Based on their past experiences and practices, you’ll be better able to ascertain whether the company is trustworthy and reliable.

7. Gear & Equipment

Employing the appropriate gear and equipment plays a significant role in delivering high-quality footage and accurate data. For instance, while a quadcopter is an excellent choice for capturing drone images, they are not ideal for aerial inspections. Professional-grade hexacopters or octocopters are a much better option for a safer flying experience. In addition, routine maintenance and equipment upgrades are necessary to prevent hardware failures, lengthy delays, or inaccurate data collection. 

Similarly, prioritizing drones with a tremendous resolution, suitable lenses, radiometric systems, and relevant, high-quality sensors is a must to obtain precise data. Depending upon the type of imagery you’re seeking, talk to the drone photography company and check whether their equipment suits your project requirements.

8. Cost Structure

Understanding the cost structure is another critical element before choosing the right drone photography company. Different companies offer different cost structures – some might have fixed pricing, while others might have variable rates. There are several other additional charges for post-processing and production services as well. Understanding the cost structure will improve transparency, help you make more informed decisions, and build a steady relationship with the drone service provider.

9. Room For Negotiation

If there is potential for ongoing work, don’t be afraid to ask about a bulk or package rate. Drone photography companies typically prefer ongoing work and might be willing to offer a price break for multiple projects.

Partner With Blue Nose Aerial Imaging
Blue Nose Aerial Imaging is a veteran-owned drone services franchise. We are a premier full-spectrum drone photography company with years of experience in the industry. From Washington to Florida and New York to California – we are the only franchised commercial drone services provider in the United States. Our professional pilots would be happy to provide a variety of drone services to assist you with your next project. From small-time to city-sized projects, our skills can keep up with the demand. Get in touch with our professional pilots to discuss your next project today!