5 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Drone Photographer for Your Property

TL;DR

Not all drone photographers are created equal. From missing permits to weak editing skills, here are five key mistakes to avoid if you want footage that works for your brand—not against it.

Mistake #1: Hiring Without FAA Certification

You might assume anyone with a drone can shoot your property—but that’s a risky move. In the U.S., commercial drone operators must be certified under FAA Part 107 to fly legally for commercial purposes. Without it, you’re not only at legal risk but also liable for accidents.

🟣 FAA’s official Part 107 guidelines

At KC Media Team, we only fly with FAA-certified pilots. Our drone operators know the airspace regulations and have flown safely over construction zones, commercial parks, and busy city blocks.

Mistake #2: Choosing Gear Over Skill

That flashy drone model doesn’t guarantee results. High-quality real estate drone photography demands more than 4K video—it requires strategy, lighting knowledge, and post-production chops.

We fly DJI drones that shoot in 4K and slow motion, with full-frame Canon cameras always on standby. But what really sets us apart is the experience behind the lens.

“We show up with a vision—not just a drone. Whether it’s an empty site or a leased-up space, we know how to frame a shot that sells.”
— Laney Strahan, Visual Storyteller

Mistake #3: Skipping Post-Production Quality

A raw drone video won’t cut it. If your final deliverables are shaky, poorly lit, or lack branding, you’re wasting time—and budget.

At KC Media Team, we edit every drone shoot using Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects, adding color correction, branding overlays, and motion graphics as needed. That’s especially helpful for highlighting nearby landmarks, traffic flow, or human activity around a space.

“We add tracking markers that help potential tenants or buyers visualize how the space interacts with its surroundings—retail centers, highway access, foot traffic. It’s about painting the whole picture.”
— Zach McCoy, Director of Animation

Mistake #4: Ignoring the Licensing Terms

You paid for the shoot—do you own the footage? Some photographers retain rights or charge additional fees for reuse across platforms.

KC Media Team offers clear, commercial-friendly licensing. Your visuals are yours to use on LoopNet, MLS, your website, social media, or even printed flyers. We also help upload or embed content if needed—just ask.

Mistake #5: Booking Without Understanding the Scope

Some photographers deliver 5 clips. Others, 50. Always clarify:

• How many drone photos/videos will be delivered?
• Will you receive both raw and edited files?
• Do you get multiple angles or just one flyover?

We tailor every shoot to the property’s goals. For example, our commercial real estate photography service includes:

• Directional drone flyovers
• Twilight shots
• Interior walk-through footage
• Branding overlays if requested
• Editing for web, MLS, and social use

Need help choosing the right package? We’ll walk you through it—no fluff, no guesswork.

Our Approach = Strategy + Execution

We’re not just drone nerds—we’re marketers who fly drones.

Our commercial real estate clients choose us because:

• We create visuals with conversion in mind
• Our process is fast, clear, and flexible
• We’ll travel anywhere (yes, all our vehicles are 4WD)
• We shoot both finished and in-progress properties
• We store and protect all gear in Pelican cases for on-site reliability

Need to bundle photo + video for a full campaign? We do that too.

• We create visuals with conversion in mind
• Our process is fast, clear, and flexible
• We’ll travel anywhere (yes, all our vehicles are 4WD)
• We shoot both finished and in-progress properties
• We store and protect all gear in Pelican cases for on-site reliability

Need to bundle photo + video for a full campaign? We do that too.

TL;DR

Not all drone photographers are created equal. From missing permits to weak editing skills, here are five key mistakes to avoid if you want footage that works for your brand—not against it.

Mistake #1: Hiring Without FAA Certification

You might assume anyone with a drone can shoot your property—but that’s a risky move. In the U.S., commercial drone operators must be certified under FAA Part 107 to fly legally for commercial purposes. Without it, you’re not only at legal risk but also liable for accidents.

🟣 FAA’s official Part 107 guidelines

At KC Media Team, we only fly with FAA-certified pilots. Our drone operators know the airspace regulations and have flown safely over construction zones, commercial parks, and busy city blocks.

Mistake #2: Choosing Gear Over Skill

That flashy drone model doesn’t guarantee results. High-quality real estate drone photography demands more than 4K video—it requires strategy, lighting knowledge, and post-production chops.

We fly DJI drones that shoot in 4K and slow motion, with full-frame Canon cameras always on standby. But what really sets us apart is the experience behind the lens.

“We show up with a vision—not just a drone. Whether it’s an empty site or a leased-up space, we know how to frame a shot that sells.”
— Laney Strahan, Visual Storyteller

Mistake #3: Skipping Post-Production Quality

A raw drone video won’t cut it. If your final deliverables are shaky, poorly lit, or lack branding, you’re wasting time—and budget.

At KC Media Team, we edit every drone shoot using Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects, adding color correction, branding overlays, and motion graphics as needed. That’s especially helpful for highlighting nearby landmarks, traffic flow, or human activity around a space.

“We add tracking markers that help potential tenants or buyers visualize how the space interacts with its surroundings—retail centers, highway access, foot traffic. It’s about painting the whole picture.”
— Zach McCoy, Director of Animation

Mistake #4: Ignoring the Licensing Terms

You paid for the shoot—do you own the footage? Some photographers retain rights or charge additional fees for reuse across platforms.

KC Media Team offers clear, commercial-friendly licensing. Your visuals are yours to use on LoopNet, MLS, your website, social media, or even printed flyers. We also help upload or embed content if needed—just ask.

Mistake #5: Booking Without Understanding the Scope

Some photographers deliver 5 clips. Others, 50. Always clarify:

• How many drone photos/videos will be delivered?
• Will you receive both raw and edited files?
• Do you get multiple angles or just one flyover?

We tailor every shoot to the property’s goals. For example, our commercial real estate photography service includes:

• Directional drone flyovers
• Twilight shots
• Interior walk-through footage
• Branding overlays if requested
• Editing for web, MLS, and social use

Need help choosing the right package? We’ll walk you through it—no fluff, no guesswork.

Our Approach = Strategy + Execution

We’re not just drone nerds—we’re marketers who fly drones.

Our commercial real estate clients choose us because:

• We create visuals with conversion in mind
• Our process is fast, clear, and flexible
• We’ll travel anywhere (yes, all our vehicles are 4WD)
• We shoot both finished and in-progress properties
• We store and protect all gear in Pelican cases for on-site reliability

Need to bundle photo + video for a full campaign? We do that too.

• We create visuals with conversion in mind
• Our process is fast, clear, and flexible
• We’ll travel anywhere (yes, all our vehicles are 4WD)
• We shoot both finished and in-progress properties
• We store and protect all gear in Pelican cases for on-site reliability

Need to bundle photo + video for a full campaign? We do that too.

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