Promoting a business through aerial video and photography is a great way to capture the attention of a target audience. High production values are not always necessary for success and even large companies have been able to make use of cost-efficient aerial videos to increase website and YouTube channel visitors. The first 10-15 seconds of the video should be particularly interesting and unique, and one way to do this is by using an aerial perspective. Our drones are lightweight, battery-powered, and fly quietly, and the flight patterns are predetermined. Drone videos are a popular and new form of media in the St Louis area.

Conventional aircraft like helicopters must stay above about 300 feet for safe operation.  Our robotic UAV quadcopters capture that important 0 – 400′ altitude range to give views that traditional helicopters just can’t provide.  The places that we are able to fly these aerial drones and the angles we can achieve will captivate and amaze your audience.  We provide turn-key video production and editing as well as raw HD footage of your use.  Our St Louis aerial photography and drone video services are the only complete, turn key service of it’s kind in St. Louis Contact us for more information about our St. Louis Aerial Photography and our St. Louis Drone Video services.

With our high-resolution camera integrated into a modern remote-controlled flying aircraft, we can achieve the best visual effects for your needs. For use in flyers and catalogs, brochures, posters, online and more.  Aerial photographs and aerial videos are the perfect tool to uniquely promote your product.  Printed on canvas or framed, aerial pictures used in homes, foyers and boardrooms can enhance decor of all styles. Whether cool, informative, or atmospheric, memorable aerial photographs and videos are worth a 1,000 words.

How to choose a drone crew for your photography or video project.

Drones are powerful tools for taking breathtaking shots in still and video photography. However, hiring the right drone crew is essential for getting the results you want from your project. The drone crew’s experience, knowledge, and skill level are key factors when selecting the best crew for your job. A well-trained and experienced drone crew can significantly reduce stress while taking away more of the technical issues associated with drones so you can focus on getting the perfect shot.

This article will explain what you should look for when hiring a drone crew, provide tips on choosing one that fits your project’s needs, and discuss how to get the most out of working with a professional drone team. From finding certified FAA-approved operators to understanding insurance provisions and more, this guide will help you find the right drone film crew for your next shoot!

Understanding Drone Photography/Videography

When it comes to aerial photography or videography, having the right combination of drone equipment and personnel is essential to the quality of the production. Drone crews are highly trained professionals who are skilled in understanding and operating aerial drones as well as orchestrating stunning shots. Before you hire a drone crew for your production, it’s important to ensure they understand your specific project goals and budget. You should also identify what types of drones they have available and whether they can help you with editing or post-production.

To make sure the crew you choose is qualified for your needs, start by gathering information about their specialized experience. The ideal candidate should be experienced in a variety of drone shooting techniques that may be needed for your project such as rigging, night shooting and remote camera operations. In addition to their technical knowledge, confirm that they adhere to FAA drone regulations and standards by providing third-party certification such as a Certificate of Authority (COA).

The most productive projects come from efficient collaboration between both crew members and clients who communicate objectives clearly throughout the shoot. Ask for references from previous customers so you can get a better understanding of how well the team communicates, meets deadlines and delivers results on time.

Finally, before signing an agreement with any team, make sure all rates are clearly defined in writing including costs, time frames and any additional services they provide such as graphic design or video editing that may be needed in post-production.

What to Look for in Drone Crews

With so many options available for finding drone crews to help with photography or video projects, it can be difficult to figure out which one is right for your specific needs. To ensure that you’re getting the best crew, it’s important to look out for a few key factors.

First and foremost, you want to make sure that the drone crew you hire has enough experience and credentials in the area of your project. You should ask about their expertise in the type of shooting you need done, as well as any special training they may have received. Additionally, research their portfolio to get an idea of their style and previous work.

Make sure to read reviews about their service and check for any complaints about them on social media or other review websites. When asking questions, be sure to get an estimate of how long it would take them to complete your project from start to finish, along with a projected cost breakdown. It’s also important that they have proper insurance coverage for all employees working on the project.

Finally, when hiring a drone crew ensure that they use only high quality equipment so that your photos or videos will turn out perfect every time!

Researching Drone Crews

When beginning a project involving drones, it is important to ensure that you are choosing the right crew for your needs. There are a variety of factors to consider when selecting a professional drone services provider, including their experience and flight capabilities. Researching each company and asking the right questions will help you make an informed decision on which service provider is best suited for your project.

The first step in researching drone crews is to read real reviews from other clients. This can be done online on drones industry website or by looking at public forums dedicated to the field. These reviews can provide valuable insight into the quality of services provided and any potential red flags that should be looked out for during the hiring process. Additionally, it’s important to take into account any personal recommendations from other photographers or videographers who have used specific services in the past as these opinions can provide valuable information as well.

It is also important to research each crew’s qualifications and certifications before making a decision on their hireability. Most countries have very specific laws governing what kinds of activities require authorization and approval, so it’s crucial that the service provider understands the regulations pertaining to their area of operation. Inquiring about their flight experience and daily flights logged may provide further insight into their understanding of local laws surrounding drone operations as well as how far they are willing/able to travel for projects outside their normal area of operations.

Finally, take into account whether you want aerial photography taken with stills cameras or high-definition video footage with advanced cinematic capabilities such as motion tracking, slow motion filming etc., since these requirements may reduce your search pool if specialized equipment is needed for a particular shoot or type of project. In any case, it’s recommended that you compare multiple providers before making your selection so that you can rest assured knowing exactly what kind of professional service will be provided for your project needs as well as understand clearly outlined fees and charges associated with day rate/hourly rate before signing any contracts or agreements related with hiring drone crew services for commercial applications.

Questions to Ask Drone Crews

When researching what drone crew to employ for your photography or video project, it’s important to ask the right questions in order to get the best outcome for your budget. Below are some of the most important inquiries that you should direct to potential candidates when trying to make an informed decision.

1. How many years of experience do you have operating drones? A crew’s experience will be extremely beneficial and trustworthy when it comes to tricky situations that may develop during a shoot.

2. What type and size of drones do you own and are they insured? When flying near populated areas, it is important that your chosen drone crew shows proof of insurance, and having a choice of craft means more versatility for their aerial shots.

3. Do you provide sample reels or portfolios? It is always a good idea to view examples of recent work from a crew before choosing them for your personal project in order to gain an insight into what kind of quality and standards that they operate at.

4 Are pilots certified by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)? Ensuring that any given pilot has certification issued by CAA gives assurance that they meet all required safety and compliance standards.

5 Will I need a CAA licence myself if I am filming with the drone? Depending on the type and size of operation, most photography or video projects with drones need additional authorisations from CAA prior to commencement so make sure any potential candidates know where the project stands in relation to this requirement so there are no surprises along the way

6 Do you provide additional services such as post production editing? Understanding if a drone crew can also supply footage editing, colour grading etc., is invaluable when planning out expenses as these extra costs may not always be specifically outlined from the outset .

Cost Considerations

When looking to hire a drone crew, it can be tempting to attempt to secure production services at the lowest possible cost. Price-focused decisions can result in an inferior end product if you settle for inexperienced drone crews or third-party contractors that lack the skills and expertise for your project. While costs are an important factor in selecting a drone team, it should never be considered in isolation. It’s crucial to also consider other areas such as experience level, training certifications, proprietary technologies and customer service.

Additionally, some common cost considerations when choosing a drone crew for a photography or video project include:

• Travel fees – Additional expenses due to travel (on site/transportation/accommodation).
• Drone operator – The person operating the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
• Ground crew – This may include technicians and ground representatives who are integral parts of the mission or any additional personnel associated with post production activities such as editing or rendering footage.
• Rental fees – Fees associated with renting drones and related equipment necessary for the project.
• Captured media bandwidth costs – You should factor in additional charges related to exceeding bandwidth limits while downloading data from remote cameras/sensors used on each flight as well as transfer fees linked to storage of footage locally on location (includes server space/hard drives).
• Insurance – Make sure you are aware of what coverage is provided by the crew’s insurance policy and confirm that you have sufficient coverage for your project needs.

Finalizing the Selection

Once you have identified industry-standard professionals for your project, it’s time to make a final selection. To do this, start by reviewing their qualifications and experience to ensure that each member of the team is qualified for the task at hand. Ask questions and find out exactly what equipment they will be using. Also consider their availability — you need to be sure that they can commit to the project timeline.

Ask for a process timeline as well as cost estimates, then compare and assess each team’s qualifications and prices. Additionally, ask whether they carry their own insurance and ask to review their proof of insurance documentation before confirming your engagement with them. Ensure that you understand all liabilities associated with hiring them in case something unexpected happens during filming or any other part of your project.

Once you have selected your drone crew, put together a written contract outlining specific tasks, deliverables, fees and associated costs, begin/end dates, rights granted/retained by both parties, conditions/terms of payment etc.. If there’s anything related to the drone crew that wasn’t mentioned in their proposal or resume – make sure it is included in the written contract prior to signing off on it. Following these steps will help ensure a successful photographic or video shoot for your project!

A great drone crew can make all the difference when taking aerial footage and photos.

To make sure you get the right team for your project, do your research and consider their skill level and experience as well as their rates. Rely on independent reviews as well as word of mouth referrals to help identify suitable candidates.

Once a candidate has been selected, ensure that adequate communication is maintained prior to and during the shoot so everyone involved knows what is expected. Finally, it’s important to be aware of any relevant laws and regulations before flying. By making sure safety is a top priority, you can set your project up for success.

Michael Haller
314-913-5626
stlouisstudiophotography@gmail.com