Prepare for every flight
Safe and successful aerial photography starts before you turn on your drone. Good habits on the ground make flying smoother and your footage better.- Inspect your drone: Check for propeller damage, loose arms, and dirt on the camera lens. Wipe the lens gently with a clean microfiber cloth.
- Charge batteries: Make sure the drone, controller, and phone/tablet are fully charged. Cold weather shortens battery life—if it’s chilly, keep spares in a warm pocket.
- Check the area: Avoid power lines, crowds, and trees. Pick an open spot with less wind and good light.
- Know the FAA rules: TRUST certification is required for all recreational flights. Drones weighing 250g (0.55 lb) or more must be registered (FAA rules here). Registering also means the drone must broadcast Remote ID.
- Check the weather: Windy? Gusts above 10 mph make it harder to hold a steady shot. Consider postponing.
Want a single checklist? Our free flight plan covers the basics: Learn to Fly.
Practice smooth controls
The most common culprit for shaky footage or blurry shots is rough stick movement. Smooth, slow inputs are key. Here’s how to drill better control:- Takeoff and hover. Lift off and stay at eye level. Practice holding your drone steady, reading its position, and making micro-adjustments. Aim for no drifting.
- Small stick movements. Push each control stick just a little in each direction, then let go. Watch the drone’s response. Get a feel for how little input can make a big change in flight path.
- Circle an object. Pick a landmark (like a cone or chair). Practice slow, even circles at a steady altitude and distance. Use the yaw (left stick, left/right) and the right stick together so the camera keeps the object centered.
Want sharper photos? Practice pressing the shutter gently or use your app’s on-screen button instead of poking at the drone itself, which can jostle the view.
Use helpful camera settings
Many consumer drones offer automatic modes, but a few tweaks make a big difference.- Set the camera to manual exposure if available. Low ISO (100-200) keeps images crisp. Adjust shutter speed to match brightness.
- Enable grid lines in your app. Use these to help frame subjects level and avoid tilted horizons.
- For video: Set frame rate and shutter so each frame is sharp but motion is smooth (double the frame rate, e.g., 1/60 sec for 30 fps video is a good rule).
- Choose ‘cinematic’ or ‘tripod’ mode if offered. This slows stick sensitivity, making all movement more controlled.
Master common aerial techniques
Add interest to your photos and videos by mastering a few classic moves. Practice these with wide margins, above open ground, at least 50 feet from trees or buildings:- The reveal: Start low and rise slowly to unveil a scene. Try flying forward while gaining altitude, exposing distant scenery.
- The fly-by: Pass slowly alongside an object or landscape feature, keeping it framed in the shot. Practice varying your left stick (yaw) to keep the camera pointed at your subject.
- The orbit: Circle around a point of interest, combining sideways and turning motion. Start with wide-radius orbits, then try tightening them as your skill improves.
Practice in safe airspace
Fly in legal, open areas without crowds or busy skies. Stay below 400 feet, maintain line of sight, and get LAANC app authorization if you’re near an airport. Always respect no-fly zones like stadiums, national parks, or secured locations.Care for your drone and batteries
- Cool down batteries after landing before charging them.
- Keep firmware up to date for smoother flight and camera stability.
- Pack a spare SD card in case you fill up or corrupt one mid-flight.
- Store batteries at 50-60% charge if not using your drone for a week or more.