3 Things to Consider Before Buying a Drone for Photography

A flying machine with a high-definition camera can capture images from above to help you research an area before you hunt or fish it

Drone flying out over a cliff
Before snap photos with a drone, check federal, state, and local regulations to make sure you can fly the drone in a specific area in the first place.Holy Stone

Drones in the sporting world are controversial enough that many states have rightly passed laws regulating their use for hunting, fishing, or scouting. However, there is no denying that a modern drone in the hands of a good pilot can capture images of the outdoor world in ways thought impossible only a decade ago. That opens new creative horizons for outdoor filmmakers, amateur videographers, and any sportsman who just wants a bird’s eye view of the outdoor experience. Check local laws before deploying a drone in your area, and then consider some of these features before making a purchase.


Holy Stone HS720 Foldable GPS Drone
Modern drones are lighter, more efficient, and easier to use than those made years ago.Amazon_Top Pick

Early drones were not only larger, they were most often single-body crafts with a rigid construction. But the miniaturization of fuselages, blades, batteries, electronics, and on-board cameras has led to modern mini drones that fit in the palm of your hand. Foldable wings or struts makes any drone all the more portable.

Flight Time

DJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone Quadcopter with Hasselblad Camera
If you don’t want to lose your drone, pay attention to the battery life and land it before it crashes, especially if you’re flying over water.DJI

The last thing you need when piloting a drone is for it to fail mid-air and nosedive into oblivion. Most low-end drones have a flight time of about 15 minutes or less, while flight times on the high-end models push 30 minutes or more.


Holy Stone HS120D GPS Drone with Camera
Drones aren’t cheap, so don’t pick a model with expensive features you likely won’t use.Holy Stone

Even drones that sell for under $300 are capable of shooting 1080p HD video, a resolution high enough to do everything the average person needs. But a serious amateur videographer or prosumer can expect to pay ten times that much for the most feature-rich, compact models boasting maximum flight times and 4K high-definition cameras.