How To Make Money With Your Drone In 2024

Are you the proud owner of a drone in the UK, but unsure of how to monetize it?

Look no further!

As the UK’s leading drone survey company, we have the experience to tell you what works.

We have compiled a comprehensive list of ways to turn your drone into a profit-generating machine. The possibilities are endless, from capturing stunning aerial footage for real estate listings.

Whether you’re a professional photographer, a small business owner, or simply looking for a new way to make money, this list has something for everyone.

So, strap on your goggles and let’s take flight into the world of drone entrepreneurship!

Making Money with your Sub 250g DJI Mini 3 Drone

This list is specifically tailored for hobbyist drone owners who are using sub 250g drones such as the DJI Mini 3 or 4 pro.

These drones are an excellent choice for those looking to get into the world of commercial drone work.

They are lightweight, easy to manoeuvre, and most importantly, easiest to legally use for commercial purposes.

With these drones, you can still capture high-quality aerial footage and perform various services without the need for a commercial drone pilot’s license.

Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a small business owner or just looking for a new way to make money, this list provides you with the tools and knowledge to take your hobby to the next level and turn it into a profitable venture.

So, whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your services, this list is designed to help you take your hobby to the next level and turn it into a profitable venture.

Complying with UK Drone Laws

The first step in any successful drone venture is understanding the UK drone legal requirements. In the UK, you’ll need a Flyer ID and an Operator ID to legally fly your drone for commercial purposes.

Obtaining these IDs is easy and affordable. The Operator ID costs just £10 and is valid for one year, while the Flyer ID is completely free and valid for five years.

To get your hands on these IDs, all you need to do is take a quick and easy online quiz.

This quiz consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and is completely open-book, meaning you can refer to any resources you have while taking the test.

Don’t worry if you don’t pass the first time, you can retake the quiz as many times as you need to.

So don’t let legal requirements hold you back from turning your passion into profit.

Get your Flyer ID and Operator ID today and take the first step on your journey to becoming a successful drone entrepreneur

Monetize Your Aerial Drone Photography Skills

The sky is truly the limit when it comes to the potential for profit in the photography industry. With the demand for aerial footage and photography on the rise, now is the perfect time to start exploring the opportunities available to you.

From real estate listings to event coverage, the possibilities are endless.

Not only is the market huge, but it’s also constantly expanding, providing you with a wealth of opportunities to make money.

So strap on your goggles and let’s take flight into the world of drone photography and videography, where the sky is not the limit, but the beginning of your next profitable venture!

Here are some of the most promising markets for drone photography and videography services:

1. Real Estate Drone Photography

The main market for aerial property photography is estate agents and letting agents.

These professionals are always looking for new and innovative ways to showcase properties to potential buyers and renters.

Drone photography provides a unique perspective that can make a listing stand out from the competition.

Aerial footage and photographs can show the layout and size of the property, as well as its location and proximity to amenities.

This can be especially valuable for properties with large gardens, swimming pools, or other outdoor features that can be difficult to appreciate from ground level.

Individuals selling their properties may also benefit from the service. Many homeowners may not have the resources or equipment to capture high-quality aerial footage and photographs, and that’s where a drone photographer can come in.

By providing this service, homeowners can showcase their property in the best possible light and make it more attractive to potential buyers.

Additionally, the aerial view can give a better understanding of the property and its location, which can help to speed up the selling process.

Overall, the market for aerial property photography is expanding and there are many opportunities for drone enthusiasts to make money by providing this service.

Looking to expand your real estate photography services to include the booming vacation rental market? Airbnb photography could be the perfect opportunity for you.

2. Air BnB Drone Photography

The serviced accommodation market, such as Airbnb, is booming, and it’s no surprise that drone photography is making its way into this industry.

As people look for unique and exclusive properties to stay in, the use of drone photography is becoming increasingly popular for showcasing these properties.

From treehouses to glamping retreats and off-grid properties, these types of listings can benefit hugely from aerial videography and photography.

Why do people want drone pilots for Airbnb photography?

The use of drones allows for a unique perspective that can showcase the property and its surroundings in a way that traditional photography cannot.

Aerial footage and photographs can show the layout and size of the property, as well as its location and proximity to amenities.

This perspective can make a listing stand out from the competition and make it more attractive to potential guests.

The potential money to be made from providing drone photography services for Airbnb listings can be substantial.

Many hosts are willing to pay a premium for high-quality aerial footage and photographs to showcase their properties in the best possible light.

With the growing demand for unique and exclusive properties, the market for drone photography in the serviced accommodation industry is only going to continue to grow.

As a drone pilot, you could be in a perfect position to tap into this market and make serious money.

3. Marine Boats and Sailboats

Drone photography is not just limited to land-based properties. Drones have become a powerful tool in the marine industry, enabling boat owners and sellers to showcase their vessels in an entirely new way.

By providing aerial photography and videography services, you can capture breathtaking shots of boats and sailboats, highlighting their features and showing off their unique design and layout.

This allows potential buyers to see the vessel from every angle and get a better sense of its size, layout and overall appearance.

Many boat sellers are willing to pay a premium for high-quality aerial footage and photographs to showcase their vessels in the best possible light.

With the growing popularity of drone photography, this is a great opportunity for drone pilots to tap into the marine industry and make money.

Not only it can enhance the sales of boats and sailboats but also it provides an efficient way for marine surveyors to inspect boats and ships for damages and wear and tear.

This is a niche market that is only set to grow in the future, making it a wise investment for drone pilots to explore.

4. Drone Wedding Photography

Impress couples with stunning aerial shots of their special day, captured from a bird’s eye view that traditional photography can’t match.

With the right equipment and a keen eye, you can turn your passion for photography into a profitable business by offering unique and unforgettable memories to the happy couples.

Drone wedding photography can be used to capture engagement photoshoots, as well as aerial wedding poses such as hearts.

Additionally, drones can be used to film the ceremony and reception from a variety of angles, giving couples a truly unforgettable way to remember their special day.

5. Drone wildlife photography

Drone wildlife photography is an exciting way for photographers to make money while also capturing amazing images of animals in their natural habitats from angles that would otherwise be impossible with traditional photography techniques.

By being able to fly above the animals, drone wildlife photos provide unique insights into animal behavior and habitat without disturbing them or putting the photographer at risk.

This service is gaining popularity as people become more aware of its potential – offering great opportunities for those interested in taking up drone wildlife photography professionally.

6. Drone Construction Photography

Fly high, capture the progress and make money with drone construction photography! Get a bird’s eye view of important construction projects and document them in stunning high definition from multiple angles.

Drones make it possible to capture progress without putting anyone at risk – making this a must-have service for construction companies.

With drones becoming more advanced, this type of photography is also becoming increasingly profitable for photographers looking to turn their passion into profit.

7. Agricultural Drone Photography

Drone agricultural photography is becoming increasingly popular due to its ability to capture stunning aerial shots of farms from multiple angles in high definition.

With drones becoming increasingly advanced, farmers are now able to get detailed images of their land quickly and accurately – making this type of photography invaluable for those in the agricultural industry who need up-to-date data on their crops or livestock.

For photographers, this service can be extremely lucrative as demand continues to grow for high-quality drone agricultural photos.

8. Sell Stock Photography

By creating a profile with stock photo websites like iStock and Shutterstock, you can submit your drone photos for review and make money through royalties each time one of your photos is downloaded.

It’s important to research different stock photography sites as some may not pay as well as others. Getty Images, for example, prioritizes quality over quantity and offers higher royalties. While this may not be a full-time income, it can provide a source of passive income over time.

9. Drone Mapping

Drones have become an increasingly popular tool for capturing aerial photos and videos, and this has opened up a whole new world of opportunities for photographers.

Many industries are now hiring drone surveyors to take aerial shots for a range of purposes, and this can be a highly profitable business for experienced drone photographers.

Here are some of the industries that frequently hire drone photographers:

• Forest Industry: Drone photography is particularly useful for monitoring large areas of forest and tracking changes over time, such as logging and deforestation.
• Construction Industry: Drone photography is a cost-effective way to capture progress on construction sites, and can be used for architectural design, project management, and marketing.
• Archeology Industry: Drones can be used to survey large areas of land and map archaeological sites, making it much easier to discover new finds and study ancient structures.
• Mining Industry: Drones can be used to inspect mining sites and track changes over time, such as the expansion of mines, the effects of mining on the environment, and the extraction of minerals.
• Topography: Drone photography is a cost-effective way to survey large areas of land and create detailed maps, which can be used for a range of purposes, such as urban planning, land use management, and environmental monitoring.
• Landscaping: Drone photography is a great way to showcase the beauty of a landscape and highlight the work of a landscaping company, making it a valuable tool for marketing and sales.

As a drone photographer, you have the opportunity to work with a variety of industries and make a real impact on the world. From capturing stunning aerial shots of natural landscapes to monitoring the progress of construction sites, the possibilities are endless.

With the right skills and experience, you could turn your passion for photography into a profitable and rewarding career.

10. Drone Surveillance

The use of drones for surveillance and security purposes is becoming increasingly popular, and this presents a great opportunity for drone photographers to make money.

Many industries are now hiring drone photographers to keep watch over properties or document events.

This can include private companies, government offices and other organizations.

One of the main advantages of using drones for surveillance is that they can cover large areas quickly and easily, providing a bird’s-eye view of the area in question.

This can be particularly useful for monitoring large industrial sites, construction sites, and other areas where security is a concern.

Drones can also be used to monitor traffic, crowds, and other public gatherings, making them a valuable tool for law enforcement and public safety.

11. Drone Inspection

Inspection is another field where drone photography can be highly valuable and profitable.

A variety of industries and utility companies will hire drone photographers to inspect buildings, works, or facilities for specific reasons.

The use of drones for inspection allows companies to quickly and easily survey large areas and identify any potential issues, without the need for scaffolding or other equipment.

Here are a few examples of companies and industries that may require drone footage or photographs:

• Insurance Companies: Drones can be used to inspect properties and assess damage after a natural disaster, such as a storm or flood.
• Utility Services: Drone photography is a cost-effective way to inspect power lines, telephone poles, water and gas pipelines and other utility infrastructure, allowing companies to quickly identify and repair any issues.
• Construction: Drones can be used to inspect construction sites, including buildings and other structures, for progress and compliance with safety regulations, and identify any potential issues.

To be successful in this field, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the industry you want to work with. Knowing what to look for and what type of material is required will help you to provide the best possible images and footage.

With the right skills and experience, you can turn your passion for photography into a profitable and rewarding career in the inspection field.

12. Drone Roof Inspections

Another way to make money using a drone is by performing drone roof and building inspections.

There are a number of industries that hire drone operators for this purpose, such as insurance companies, utility or service companies, and construction firms.

The use of drones for inspections allows these industries to quickly and easily survey large areas and identify any potential issues, such as damage to roofs or buildings, without the need for scaffolding or other equipment.

To be hired by these industries, it’s important to have a combination of skills as a drone pilot and a camera operator, as well as technical expertise to get the angles and shots needed for specific data.

It’s also helpful to have a good understanding of the specific industry you are interested in and what their needs are for inspections.

This will allow you to provide the best possible images and footage, and increase your chances of being hired.

By learning a little bit about the specific industry you are interested in, and understanding the needs of the industry, you can position yourself as an expert in this field and get hired by those companies that are in need of professional drone operators.

This can be a great way to earn money and help companies to inspect their assets and make important decisions.

13. Thermal Imaging Surveys

One way to make money using thermal imaging cameras on drones is by offering heat loss surveys for homes and buildings. These surveys can help to identify areas where heat is being lost and to make recommendations for improving energy efficiency.

By using thermal imaging cameras mounted on drones, you can cover large areas quickly and easily, providing detailed images of a building’s thermal performance.

This can be particularly useful for inspecting large buildings, such as commercial properties or apartment buildings, where it would be difficult or costly to conduct a traditional inspection.

Another way to make money using thermal imaging cameras on drones is by offering services to various industries that need thermal imaging, such as construction and manufacturing.

Thermal imaging can be used to detect insulation defects, leaks, or any other type of thermal loss, which can save energy, reduce cost and improve safety.

Overall, using thermal imaging cameras on drones can provide a cost-effective and efficient way to conduct heat loss surveys, and it can provide valuable insights to various industries. With the right skills and expertise, you can turn your passion for thermal imaging into a profitable and rewarding career by providing this service to clients.

In conclusion, drones have opened up a whole new world of opportunities for photographers, and there are many ways to make money using drones.

From aerial photography and videography to agriculture, inspection and surveillance, there are a variety of industries that are now hiring drone operators for a range of purposes.

To be successful in making money using drones, it is important to have the right skills and experience as a drone pilot and camera operator.

Additionally, it is helpful to have a good understanding of the specific industry you are interested in and what their needs are for inspections. This will allow you to provide the best possible images and footage, and increase your chances of being hired.

While it may not be a full-time income, it can be a great way to earn some passive income or as a side hustle. With the right knowledge and experience, anyone can turn their passion for photography and drones into a profitable and rewarding career.