Every real estate drone shoot should cover a front three-quarter "hero" shot, a matching rear view, a high overview of the whole lot, a straight-down top view for boundary lines, and context shots of nearby water, parks or downtown. For video, add a slow push-in, a rising reveal and an orbit, cut into a 60 to 90 second tour. Shoot photos as RAW exposure brackets so skies and shaded walls both hold detail.
Exterior photo shot list
- Front three-quarter hero. 10 to 20 m up, about 45 degrees to the front, slightly above the roofline. This is usually the lead listing photo.
- Straight-on front. Lower, 5 to 10 m, level camera, so the house looks proportional.
- Opposite three-quarter. Same height from the other front corner.
- Rear and backyard. Mirror the front angles. Show the pool, deck or garden.
- Lot overview. 40 to 60 m, wide enough to show the full parcel and its relation to the street.
- Top-down. Camera at -90 degrees over the center of the lot. Ideal for property line overlays marked "approximate."
- Context. Views toward water, golf courses, parks, schools or skyline. Use a tele lens like the Air 3S's 70 mm to bring distant features closer.
- Twilight. The front hero shot again at dusk with interior lights on.
Video shot list for a listing tour
- Opening reveal: rise from behind trees or the street to show the house.
- Slow push-in toward the front entry.
- Orbit around the house at roof height, slow and steady.
- Pull-back and rise from the backyard to show the lot and neighborhood.
- Fly-by past amenities or the view.
- Closing wide shot of the property at its best angle.
Keep each move 5 to 10 seconds, shoot 4K at 24 or 30 fps with a shutter around double your frame rate, and fly in Cine mode. Also shoot a vertical version for social posts.
Interior and indoor drone shots
Indoor drone tours (fly-throughs) are popular for larger homes. Things to know:
- Rules: the FAA's rules cover the national airspace, not the inside of a building, so a fully indoor flight isn't regulated by the FAA. Get the owner's written permission and clear the rooms.
- No GPS indoors. The drone relies on downward vision sensors and can drift, especially over plain floors.
- Use a small, guarded drone. A Mini 4 Pro with its 360° propeller guard or a purpose-built FPV cinewhoop is safer near walls and people.
- Flying from outside to inside through a door crosses into regulated airspace, so all the outdoor rules apply to that part.
- See best drone for indoor real estate for options.
Settings for every shot
- Photos: RAW plus JPEG, ISO 100, AEB of 5 or 7 frames at 12 MP on the Mini 4 Pro or Air 3S, fixed white balance.
- Video: D-Log M with ND filters if you grade, Normal if you need fast turnaround.
- Composition: keep verticals straight, level the horizon, and avoid the neighbor's yard as your main subject.
Before you fly
Real estate shoots are commercial: you need a Part 107 certificate, a registered drone and airspace authorization through LAANC where required. Don't fly over people or moving cars on the street.
Ready to shoot? Follow our step-by-step real estate drone guide, then edit the photos.
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