A drone photography contract should spell out the job (location, date, shots and deliverables), the pilot's right to postpone for weather, airspace or safety, who owns the images and how the client may use them, payment terms, cancellation, and insurance and liability limits. For flights that take off from or fly near private property you don't control, add a short written permission letter from the owner. Have a local attorney review your template once; then reuse it for every job.
Contract template: section by section
1. Parties and job details Your business name, the client's name, the site address, the shoot date and window, and a contact on site.
2. Scope and deliverables Number of edited photos, video length and format, raw files (included or not), and delivery method and turnaround. List anything not included, such as ground photography or rush delivery.
3. Weather, airspace and safety State that the remote pilot in command decides whether a flight is safe and legal, and may delay, reschedule or end a flight because of wind, rain, airspace restrictions, temporary flight restrictions, people in the area, or equipment issues. Say whether rescheduling costs anything. See drone no-fly zones.
4. Regulatory compliance State that you hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, the drone is registered, and flights follow FAA rules, including any LAANC authorization. Note that some shots, such as flying over crowds or near airports, may not be possible.
5. Client responsibilities Permission to access and launch from the property, keeping people and pets clear, securing loose items, and telling you about hazards like wires.
6. Ownership and usage rights Most photographers keep copyright and grant the client a license. Define it: listing and marketing only, a set term, social media, paid ads, resale. Say whether you may use the images in your portfolio.
7. Payment Price, deposit, due date, accepted payment methods, late fees, and that files are delivered after payment.
8. Cancellation and rescheduling Client cancellation terms and how weather days are handled.
9. Insurance and liability Your liability coverage, a limit on your liability to the amount paid, and that you aren't responsible for delays outside your control. See commercial drone insurance.
10. Privacy You'll avoid filming people where they expect privacy and follow state drone and privacy laws. See drone privacy laws.
11. Signatures and date.
Drone permission letter
When you need to take off, land or fly low over property that isn't the client's, ask the owner for a short signed letter that includes:
- Owner's name, address and contact information
- Your business name and pilot certificate number
- The date or date range and the purpose of the flight
- Permission to take off and land on, and fly over, the property
- Any conditions, such as times, areas to avoid or notice before flights
- Owner's signature and date
The FAA regulates the airspace, but launching from private land still needs the owner's consent, and many state and local trespass and privacy laws apply. See flying over private property.
Information current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Have an attorney in your state review your contract.
Setting up the rest of the business? See how to start a drone photography business.
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