Tips of the Month
Drones & Wedding
Photography And Videography
Wedding Season and Summer
is here and in full swing.
As the world returns to in-person gatherings, the ability to shoot aerial shots of a bride’s big day are a must. But despite the popularity, many photographers are ill-equipped and inexperienced to shoot these images safely. To help you prepare, we’ve interviewed a number of top photographers and videographers to provide these pro- tips!
Be Licensed and Make
sure you can fly at the venue
You need a licence to operate commercially. To provide filming services, you need to have a SACAA remote pilot licence (RPL) pilots are required to hold a valid RPL. Both the drone and pilot will need to operate under a RPAS Operating Certificate (ROC) which is issued by the SACAA.
Please also check that you are able to fly at the venue and that the venue is not within 5kms of a commercial airport.
Get a good drone liability
insurance policy
As you are operating commercially and over crowds, it’s important that you have sufficient coverage. Sometimes certain venues and clients can dictate the amount of coverage required. Having the right type of insurance is crucial to keeping your business flying and safe. There are a lot of products available and it pays to do your research.
Update your drone
to the latest firmware
It’s imperative that you have the latest firmware and software on all of your devices and drones. This also includes updating your mobile device to the latest version of its operating system, updating your drone’s mobile app on your phone or tablet device, as well as updating the firmware on your controller and drone. All of these components operate in tandem and if one is out of sync, it can expose you to risk.
Calibrate your IMU and Compass before each flight
It’s always best practice to calibrate your IMU and compass before each flight new venue, especially if you have travelled far to the destination. As one photographer commented, “I’ve almost lost my drone, when I didn’t calibrate the compass and spent 30 minutes to land it safely. Fortunately, I kept the drone at no risk to guests and the drone.”
Monitor the wind
conditions & the weather
It’s always imperative to keep an eye open on the wind and weather conditions, especially in the hot summer months and coastal destinations where the wind can change fast. when your drone is flying down wind, it can seem like there is no issue, but when flying upwind, smaller drones can struggle in high winds. It’s best practice to download a weather app, and to use your common sense. If the wind is too strong, stay grounded.
Use a visual observer
While you pilot and get the shot, it’s important that you have a visual observer to keep track of the drone. In a stressful situation such as wedding, there are multiple elements to manage, a visual observer is imperative. Play it safe and make sure you always have a visual observer to keep an eye on the drone, so you can focus on nailing that epic shot.
Use the Right Drone(s) for the Job
In your briefing meeting, ask the right question of the bridal couple and pre-inspect the venue. If image quality is less of a concern, you can use a small mini drone to get more subtle images. Be considerate and thoughtful, as a drone can be distracting.
Get Ready For The Future
With Drone Safety & Legal
As you can see the opportunities for employment in the fast-growing drone sector is almost limitless for qualified and experienced pilots. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in this exciting industry, please get in touch with our team today. Go on and invest in yourself and get future ready!
