Drone video / imaging business

[Canute]

Anyone here do it professionally / or run a business?

I run a successful online marketing consultancy, but I'm looking to diversify a bit, I'm a keen amateur photographer and used to sell photos professionally over 10 years ago to newspapers and magazines for a while, so I'm fairly happy I will be fine on the editing side of things.

Obviously there is legal/insurance aspects to sort out, are there any suggestions/ideas/tips anyone can think of. Keep in mind, this would not be a full-time venture.

Thanks

[bigpriest]

Sounds a good sideline - As an example, I'd find it really helpful to have images of my roof and chimneys (and my neighbours who seem to have a vegetable patch growing out of theirs).

[Michaelbailey]

worth knowing you will have to register your drone with the relevant parties.

https://www.caa.co.uk/Commercial-industry/Aircraft...

[Canute]

Happy to follow all laws and have correct insurance etc, for it to be a sideline it would need to be enjoyable and that means being protected should something bad happen!

I'm thinking focusing on a niche might be sensible, such as real estate or weddings.

[surveyor]

Real estate and weddings are not niche. Every man and boy is hunting the business whether they have Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) or are just cowboys who never ever got caught.

Also if you follow the rules then a lot of work in urban areas is difficult to pull of legally without extra and expensive permissions which will need experience, time and a track record (and expensive drone) to obtain. In the case of weddings a lot of venues are not keen on drones full stop.

Go in with your eyes open.

[Pot Bellied Fool]

Mate of mine does drone imaging on top of his CGI, 360° imaging & product photography business - it works well as it's a good fit with his other core business lines but there's lots of non-PFCO 'operators' who are clumping around muddying the waters & trying weddings etc. Sooner or later, it's going to go pear-shaped for them and then the whole industry might be in for a shock.

As a lifestyle business or as an adjunct to other imaging services it can work really well. The initial glory days are over I think - but there's certainly lots of potential still - and probably lots of niche uses yet to be thought of & exploited.