It’s almost spring, which means wedding season will soon be upon us! If you’re like me or the many other photographers planning wedding shoots this year, it’s a great time to start thinking about including aerial photography in your plans, and considering including drones at weddings.
A drone can give you the opportunity to capture unique shots that are otherwise hard to obtain, and can help tell the story of a wedding day from a completely unique perspective.
To that end, let’s look at some of the best practices for flying drones at weddings. These tips are important because they ensure we comply with legal requirements and give us a plan for successful aerial operations.
Step 1: Getting certified or licensed to operate commercially
In the US, those of us 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, you learn important rules, regulations, and best practices for flying responsibly, all of which will make you a more knowledgeable, safer pilot.
We can 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 it’s important to make sure you know what the rules are where you’re operating, and to ensure that you’ve obtained any necessary permits, certificates, or licenses required for flight operations.
Step 2: Registering drones with the FAA
After you successfully pass the Part 107 exam, you’ll need to register your drone’s serial number with the FAA. It costs $5 each, lasts three years, and the registration numbers need to be clearly marked on each drone that you’ve registered. This is done so the drones can be identified, in case there are ever any issues or accidents.
It’s important to note that this registration process is required not only for commercial aircraft, but also for recreational drones and hobbyists. Learn more about registering your drone from the FAA.
Get a good UAV liability insurance policy
Get a liability insurance policy that provides you with comprehensive coverage. It’s not just a good idea – it can sometimes be required by certain venues before you’re allowed to fly. Venues (and commercial clients) can sometimes dictate the amount of liability coverage you’ll need, or even ask to be listed on a rider, proving that they’re shielded from any liability during your flights.
Choosing to have no liability protection during a wedding flight is taking a very big risk; despite careful planning and preparation for your flights, unpredictable things can happen. Having comprehensive drone liability coverage will ensure that you’re protected against a devastatingly large financial burden, which has the potential to occur, if an unforeseen situation arises.
There are a few good sources for drone liability insurance. Certain policies are offered through special aviation insurance companies, and others can be purchased on a daily basis, for very specific places and time periods, and for specific amounts of required coverage.
I’ve found that If you intend to fly commercially on a frequent basis, it’s best to buy an annual policy, since they tend to be a better value for long term use. However, if you will only be flying the odd commercial gig once in a while, then getting coverage for the day may be the smarter option.
Update your drone to the latest firmware
Make sure that you’re using the latest firmware and software on all of your devices and drones. This includes updating your mobile device to the latest version of its operating system, updating your drone’s mobile app on your phone or tablet device, as well as updating the firmware on your controller, drone, and maybe even your batteries. All of these components operate in synergy, so if one part is out of sync you could be exposing yourself to unnecessary risk. I always go through my checklist several days before a flight, ensuring that I check for updates on all of my devices, and making sure everything is properly charged and calibrated.
Calibrate your IMU and compass before each flight
This is something that I used to take for granted, until I had a very scary close call while trying to capture a beautiful sunset. I decided to pull over by a beach, and proceeded to send my DJI Phantom 3 up for a quick flight. The drone lost GPS and compass heading, and I struggled through almost the entire battery charge to get it under control, and experienced the highest degree of stress I’ve ever experienced when flying a drone. I was lucky to get it back on the ground without damaging anything.
Looking back, if I had taken a few minutes to calibrate the compass and IMU, I would have had a beautiful sunset to look back on, instead of a stressful memory of an almost catastrophic flight. Don’t let this happen to you, especially at a wedding. I now always calibrate my compass and IMU before each flight.
Monitor wind conditions
Being proficient in monitoring the speed and direction of the wind is a critical skill for a drone pilot. When flying downwind, it can seem like wind isn’t an issue, but you could potentially lose your drone, trying to fly back upwind with a low battery. I can’t stress this enough. Make sure that you pay attention to the wind, know which direction it’s coming from, and at what speed. I personally use an iOS app called Wind seeker for keeping tabs on the wind conditions. It has geolocation abilities, and can give you an AR overlay of the wind direction for easy visualization of wind conditions.
Wind can always be a factor when flying a drone, though to what degree may depend on which model you’re flying. I’ve found that larger and more powerful drones like the DJI Phantom series are pretty resilient, and can typically fly in moderate to strong winds. Smaller drones like the DJI Mavic Mini may not be able to fly in strong winds as adeptly as bigger drones. No matter what drone you’re flying, always use your judgment. If it’s too windy to fly, stay on the ground.
Use a visual observer
Having a visual observer is a requirement for any FAA Part 107 pilot flying for commercial purposes. It serves to cover the line-of-sight requirement during commercial operations, and is generally a good idea for any flight, in my opinion. It’s very difficult to pay close attention to your controller, and maintain line-of-sight to your drone at the same time.
Creating cinematic shots often requires close attention to your display, the controls, and your technique, and breaking that focus to maintain your eyes on the drone in the air will pretty much undermine all of those things. Play it safe and make sure you always have a visual observer to keep an eye on the drone, so you can focus on nailing that epic shot.
Keep a respectful distance
Flying with tact and consideration is a must in my opinion; when planning your shots, do so in a way that doesn’t intrude on the ceremony. I never try anything too fancy without discussing it with the bride and groom first. If I need to shoot something that requires me to get relatively close to the ceremony, I always make sure it’s approved by my couple, and that everyone is aware of the audible noise that my propellers will cause.
Use the right drone for the given conditions
Be sure to consider what type of drone is best for any given situation. If maximum image quality is needed, then a large sensor DJI Mavic 2 Pro would be ideal, but if image quality takes a backseat, then it may be easier to get more subtle shots with a smaller drone. My advice is to always balance respect for the wedding with the need to get the perfect shot. Always be sure to discuss your plans with your clients. They’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness, and will often assist you in getting the best shots. Most importantly, you’ll be ensuring that you avoid a huge distraction that overpowers their special moment.
I hope you’ll find that these best practices will help you to get great drone photos or videos at your next wedding, while also ensuring that you’re operating safely, legally, and respectfully.
Feature photo by Reza Malayeri
