How much does a drone photographer make?

I’m sure there are professionals here with valuable insights! I’m curious about the typical pricing structure for your services. I’ve been conducting roof inspections for about a year now, and I recently connected with a real estate agent who’s interested in hiring me to photograph houses and properties for listings. However, I’m unsure about how to determine fair pricing. Should I charge per photo/video or per property?

Until now, I’ve been charging a flat rate of $80 per roof inspection, which has worked well for me. However, I realize that photographing properties for real estate listings involves more time and effort, including driving, shooting, and editing. As such, I believe it’s reasonable to adjust my pricing accordingly.

I’d greatly appreciate any insights or advice from fellow professionals in this field. Thank you in advance for your help!

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Hey, Working with high-profile clients or established companies may result in higher-paying projects compared to individual clients or small businesses.

For me here in Los Angeles, I charge $300 for drone photos, with all pricing done a la carte (no packages or discounts). However, if the drone is the right tool for the job, such as a house on a hillside, I’ll include a few quick shots at no extra cost.

On average, I earn around $25.53 per hour​. Though, hourly rates can fluctuate between $20 and $77. Depending on the occasion.

For inspections, a flat rate like your $80 is perfect. Nice and easy. But real estate photos take longer. Think driving, setting up shots, and editing. So, per-photo might not be the best. Instead, how about a flat fee per property? That way you get paid fairly for your time, and the client knows the upfront cost. Just make sure the price reflects your effort – it should be more than your inspection fee for sure.

As a drone photographer who has primarily pursued this passion for personal enjoyment rather than profit, I’ve never directly monetized my drone photography. However, I can offer some insights based on my experiences. In determining fair pricing for real estate photography, consider both your time and expenses involved in the entire process, including travel, shooting, and editing. While charging per photo or video could provide a straightforward pricing structure, it might not accurately reflect the effort involved in capturing a property’s unique features.

Charging per property might be a more suitable approach, considering the varying sizes and complexities of different listings. Additionally, it’s essential to research industry standards and consider your local market’s demand and competition. Ultimately, finding the right balance between fair compensation for your expertise and affordability for clients is key.

Great job! You should charge more because this is only about $20 an hour. Depending on where you live, you might want to set a higher hourly rate, like $50 or more. But I understand if you’re just starting out.