Drone photography has been a thing at weddings for a while. But now it’s growing more popular than ever. Wedding Wire’s Kim Forrest says it’s the hottest trend in special event footage for 2021. In the hands of a skilled pro, drone wedding photography and videos can capture your special day in stunning ways. Keep reading to find out how this tech can add splendor and drama to your wedding memories.

The Basics of Drone Photography

The concept of drone photography is as simple as it sounds. The user attaches a digital camera to a drone and plots its path from afar. Forrest mentions that quadcopters and octocopters are popular tools of the trade. Photo and video pros pilot these drones with handheld remote control units.

Some professional photographers use immediate or advanced drones with integrated cameras. Others prefer custom setups without built-in cameras. Photography Pro mentions gimbals, harnesses that attach to drones’ undersides. A gimbal can cut down on shaky footage and blurry images by holding and stabilizing the camera.

Popular Specs and Features

You don’t need to be a tech genius, but it’s helpful to understand what your vendor is working with. PC Magazine reviewed several photo drones, including the DJI’s Inspire 2 and Mavic 2 Pro. Many offer premium features such as obstacle avoidance and 5K video capture. This higher resolution looks somewhat like 1080p footage from GoPro cameras. Other higher-end models shoot in 4K, which is still impressive when it comes to video quality.

The Drone Girl adds that devices with smaller motors produce minimal noise. This is a key factor when capturing video. Larger motors can create loud or excessive buzzing sounds. Professional editing can only do so much, and the noise can mar an otherwise magical video clip.

How Pro Photographers Use Drones

Drones can capture all kinds of videos and photos, but they excel at dramatic shots. Professionals often use them for cinematic moments. Aerial shots and sweeping overhead footage are a couple of great examples. And this isn’t limited to shots way overhead. Jenn Sinrich mentions pictures taken above the ceremony – at a safe distance, of course. DJI suggests still photos of the happy couple and distance shots of the venue. Drones can ascend up to 1.2 miles in the air, but they don’t need to go that high. Most capture these spectacular shots under 400 feet. That’s the maximum height that federal law permits.

Sinrich adds that drones are ideal for outdoor events. That’s because most outside venues have plenty of room for the drones to move. Fair weather also provides the best filming opportunities. Many drones can safely fly when it’s windy. The Knot’s Maggie Seaver adds that most pros can shoot in cold weather, thanks to insulated batteries. But extremely high wind is risky – anything over 25 miles per hour is probably a no-go. With heavy snow or rain, you won’t get optimal results. Severe weather can even damage a drone.

What To Know Before You Book a Vendor

Before you choose drone photography, you should keep a few things in mind. More photo and video vendors are offering it as part of their wedding packages. But be sure to hire a professional certified in flying these machines. After all, drone usage requires insurance, a safety plan, and registration with the FAA. Forrest also mentions that some locations may not allow drones. Just to be safe, check with venue management. You’ll also want to allocate enough time in your wedding day schedule for setup and shooting.

Advances in photo technology have unlocked innovative ways to capture special moments. Drone photography has much to offer couples wanting to add something extra to their wedding photos. Select an experienced pro and plan judiciously to enjoy your photos and videos for years to come.