Best practices for flying your drone at weddings
It`s spring, and that means wedding season is upon us!* If you`re one of the many photographers planning wedding shoots this year, it`s also a great time to think about including aerial photography in your plans.
A drone is a great way to capture unique shots that can help tell the story of a memorable day, and in my experience more couples are requesting drone photos than ever before. I expect that trend to continue. On the following pages, I`ll share some of my best practices for flying drones at weddings, and give you some hints about things to pay attention to.
* Apologies to those in the Southern Hemisphere. We haven`t forgotten about you.
Get certified or licensed to operate commercially
In the US, pilots who fly drones for commercial purposes are required to pass the FAA Part 107 exam. Passing this exam is beneficial beyond just getting a certificate: in the process of studying, drone operators will learn important rules, regulations, and best practices for flying responsibly, all of which will make you a more knowledgable, safer pilot.
You can self study for the FAA exam using the study materials provided by the FAA, or by taking one of the numerous available online test prep courses like this one from Drone Pilot Ground School.
Outside the US, many countries have similar regulations, so make sure you know what the rules are where you`re operating and ensure that you have obtained any necessary permits, certificates, or licenses.
Register your drone with the FAA
After you successfully pass the Part 107 exam, you`ll need to register your drone`s serial number with the FAA. This registration is necessary if you`re flying your drone for commercial purposes, and costs $5. The registration number must be clearly marked on your drone so it can be identified if there are any issues or potential accidents.
It should be noted that this registration process is also ...
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