How to Become a Drone Photographer | FAA Rules, Costs & Gear

The view from above changes everything about a photo. But before you can sell that shot of a hillside farm or a luxury estate, the FAA has requirements that aren’t optional. The path splits cleanly: fly for fun and you need the TRUST test. Fly for money—even one paid job—and you need the Part 107 certificate. Here is exactly how to get it, what gear you need, and how to land your first clients.

What Is The Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate?

The Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is the FAA’s license for commercial drone operation. You need it the moment you use a drone for any work-related purpose—selling photos, inspecting roofs, mapping land, or shooting real estate listings. Recreational flying does not require it, but the line is strict: one dollar of income from drone work means you are a commercial operator.

The certificate is valid for two years. To renew, you either retake the knowledge test or complete the free FAASTeam recurrency training course (ALC-677) online. The initial process takes roughly two to three weeks from test to permanent card.

Step-By-Step: How To Get Your Part 107 License

The FAA process runs through its IACRA system and an approved testing center. Follow these six steps in order.

1. Get your FTN — Create an account on the IACRA website (Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application) to receive your FAA Tracking Number. This is free and takes ten minutes.
2. Schedule the knowledge test — Find an FAA-approved Knowledge Testing Center using the FAA’s search tool. The test costs between $96 and $175 depending on the center. You must bring a government-issued photo ID.
3. Pass the exam — The Aeronautical Knowledge Test has 60 multiple-choice questions. You need a 70% or higher to pass. Results arrive within 48 hours. Study materials are widely available; the Pilot Institute and Drone Pilot Ground School programs include practice exams and video lessons that cover the full test bank.
4. Complete FAA Form 8710-13 — Log into IACRA after you pass and fill out the application. Enter the 17-digit Knowledge Test ID number from your test results. It may take up to 48 hours for the ID to appear in the system.
5. Pass the TSA background check — The TSA review is automatic. Wait for the confirmation email, then print your temporary certificate from IACRA. The permanent card arrives by mail within a few weeks.
6. Register your drone — Every drone under 55 pounds used commercially must be registered with the FAA. The fee is $5 per drone, and the registration is valid for three years. Mark the registration number on the outside of the drone before your first flight.

What Gear Do You Need To Start?

You do not need a $5,000 industrial drone to start. Entry-level models produce excellent results, and buying used or refurbished keeps the upfront cost manageable. A strong starter setup includes a beginner-friendly drone, extra batteries, ND filters to control light in bright conditions, and propeller guards for indoor practice.

If you are buying your first drone specifically for photography, check our tested recommendations for the best beginner drone for photography to match your budget and skill level.

How To Shoot Professional Drone Photos

A drone camera is only as good as the pilot behind the sticks. The same principles that apply to ground photography—composition, light, subject—matter more than the drone’s megapixel count.

Start each flight with a pre-flight checklist: verify the fly zone is clear of restrictions, check the weather (wind under 15 mph is ideal), inspect propellers for nicks, confirm the battery is fully charged, and set your camera resolution and shutter speed on the ground. A rushed pre-flight is the most common cause of lost footage.

Use the rule of thirds to frame your shots, aim for strong leading lines like roads or fences, and look for symmetry in patterns from above—sports fields, parking lots, and crop circles all create strong abstract images. The best light comes during the golden hours after sunrise and before sunset, when long shadows add depth. For video, use smooth, slow pans and keep your gimbal movements gentle; jerky footage is the fastest way to lose a client.

Post-processing matters as much as the flight. Learn Adobe Lightroom for color grading and exposure correction, and Photoshop for compositing or removing small distractions. Most online drone photography courses cost under $100 and cover both camera settings and editing workflows.

The Legal Rules You Cannot Ignore

The FAA enforces these rules strictly. Flying commercially without Part 107 is illegal and carries fines up to $1,100 per violation. Beyond the license, airspace rules limit where you can fly.

You must keep the drone under 400 feet above ground level, maintain visual line of sight at all times, and check NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions) before every flight for temporary restrictions. If you plan to fly within five miles of a controlled airport, you need LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) clearance. Apps like B4UFLY and AirMap show controlled airspace boundaries and let you request LAANC authorization in minutes.

How To Find Your First Clients

Real estate agents are the most common first client for drone photographers. Aerial shots sell land, farms, and estates far better than ground-level photos—agents know this and actively look for pilots they can trust. Drop printed portfolios or business cards at local real estate offices, then follow up by phone within one to two days. The personal touch beats email every time.

Build a simple website with a gallery of your best work (shoot your own home and a few friends’ properties to start), plus a clear contact page. List your FAA certificate number and insurance information on the site—agents ask for both before hiring. Social media helps too: post consistently with local geotags and hashtags like real estate drone photography plus your town or city name.

Other clients worth pursuing include athletic departments (high school and college sports fields), land surveyors, engineering firms, and architects. Each of these industries needs aerial perspective but rarely has a dedicated in-house pilot.

FAQs