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Drone Photographer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

FL Property Photography

Photographer

Naples, FL · On-site

Drone and a current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot License * Ricoh 360° or Insta360 camera * Reliable ... You get a photographer portal with your schedule, property details, access instructions, and shot ...

CoStar Group

Be an experienced Drone Photographer with a FAA Part 107 License/Certification obtained within 30 days of offer. * Strong time management skills and very detailed oriented. * Capability to accurately ...

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Drone Photographer information

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How much do drone photographer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for drone photographer in the United States is $20.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $21.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a drone photographer?

A drone photographer is a professional who uses unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) equipped with cameras to capture photos and videos from elevated or hard-to-reach perspectives. They work in various industries, including real estate, events, filmmaking, and surveying, to provide unique aerial imagery that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to obtain. Drone photographers must be skilled in both piloting drones and understanding photographic techniques. They often need to be knowledgeable about aviation regulations and safety protocols to ensure legal and responsible operation. This profession combines technical expertise with creativity to deliver compelling visual content.

What does a drone photographer do?

Drone photographers control a drone or other unmanned aerial vehicle that is equipped with a camera and take pictures for their employer. You find drone photographers in a variety of industries, including real estate, TV and film, construction, GIS and surveying, events photography, and law enforcement. As a drone photographer, your responsibilities vary, depending on the industry. General job duties are to operate the drone to photograph or video specific areas or events, such as concerts, inaugurations, political rallies, from the air without interfering with the community. You must also know how to get great shots that are in focus that meet the needs and expectations of your employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a drone photographer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drone Photographer, you need strong photography skills, familiarity with aerial composition, and a remote pilot certification (such as the FAA Part 107 in the U.S.). Proficiency with drone operation, flight planning software, and image editing tools like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication help you deliver compelling imagery and collaborate with clients or teams. These skills ensure the ability to capture high-quality aerial visuals safely and meet client expectations in a competitive market.

What are some common challenges faced by drone photographers when working on location shoots?

Drone photographers often encounter challenges such as dealing with changing weather conditions, adhering to local regulations, and ensuring safety for both equipment and bystanders. Navigating airspace restrictions and obtaining necessary permits are also critical, especially in urban or sensitive areas. Additionally, coordinating with ground teams and clients to capture the desired shots while managing battery life and flight time requires strong planning and adaptability.

What is the difference between Drone Photographer vs Aerial Photographer?

AspectDrone PhotographerAerial Photographer
CredentialsDrone pilot license, photography skillsPhotography skills, sometimes drone certification
Work EnvironmentOutdoor, various locations, using dronesOutdoor, often from helicopters, planes, or tall structures
Industry UsageReal estate, events, inspections, filmmakingLandscapes, architecture, events, commercial shoots
Search IntentDrone photography jobs, drone pilot rolesAerial photography jobs, landscape photography

Drone Photographers primarily operate drones to capture aerial images, often requiring drone pilot certifications. Aerial Photographers may use various methods, including helicopters or planes, and focus on landscape or architectural shots. Both roles involve outdoor work and are used across similar industries like real estate and events, but Drone Photographers typically emphasize drone operation skills and certifications.

How much money do drone photographers make?

Drone photographers typically earn between $30,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Freelance drone photographers may charge hourly rates from $50 to $200 or more, with higher earnings possible for specialized work such as real estate, filmmaking, or surveying.

Is there a demand for drone photographer?

There is increasing demand for drone photographers across industries such as real estate, construction, agriculture, and media, as drones provide unique aerial perspectives. Skills in drone operation, photography, and editing are valuable, and certifications may enhance job prospects in this growing field.
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Drone Photographer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drone Photographer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 89% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,345 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Real Estate Photographer (Drone Pilot) -- Norman & South OKC

Nested Tours

Lawton, OK • On-site

$49K - $61K/yr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

About Nested Tours


Founded in 2015, Nested Tours is a real estate marketing platform built for the digital age, with a decade of history helping realtors across Oklahoma. We create stunning digital real estate experiences that help agents sell fast and list more — professional photography, video walkthroughs, drone photo and video, 3D Matterport and Zillow tours, virtual staging, and more.

We already shoot Norman, Moore and the south metro every week. What we don't have yet is a photographer who actually lives there. Right now those listings get covered by our OKC team driving south. We want to change that — which is why this role goes to someone based south of downtown OKC.


This is the whole point of the job: you live close to the work. Less windshield time, more shoots per day, and you become the local face for a growing part of our market.


What You'll Do


  • Shoot HDR Photo Tours, Drone Photography & Video, Video Walkthroughs, Zillow 3D Home Tours, Twilight Photography and Detail Photos for real estate clients
  • Fly the drone yourself — most of our packages include aerial content, so this is a core part of the job, not an occasional extra
  • Engage with clients professionally and deliver a great experience at every shoot
  • Upload all media to our system by end of day — no editing required, our in-house team and editing partner handle all post-production
  • Complete Nested Tours' training before taking solo shoots, and join a short monthly photographer training call


How Pay Works


You're paid per shoot, based on which services the order includes and how large the property is. Most shoots bundle several services together, so earnings add up fast:


  • Single-service shoots (photo tour, drone photos, twilight) start around $50
  • Typical bundled shoot: $100–$250
  • Large multi-service and luxury shoots: $400–$650+
  • Add-ons like twilight photos, detail photos and video reels stack on top


The more available you are and the more services you're trained in, the more you'll earn.


Paid as a 1099 contractor through Gusto. Flexible schedule, no minimum hours.


Requirements — please read before applying


  • You must live south of downtown Oklahoma City. Norman, Moore, South OKC, Noble, Newcastle, Goldsby, Blanchard, Purcell, Lexington, Washington and the surrounding area all work. This is a hard requirement — the entire reason for the position is local coverage south of the metro.
  • FAA Part 107 Commercial Drone License — required. We cannot consider applicants without an active Part 107 certificate.
  • You own your own photography equipment (see the gear list below)
  • Reliable vehicle, valid driver's license and current auto insurance
  • Smartphone and high-speed internet at home
  • Some photography experience — you know your camera. Real estate experience is a plus but not required; we train you on our style and workflow.
  • Excellent customer service and communication skills — you're representing us in someone's home
  • Able to pass a background check


Required Gear


At minimum:


  • Professional camera capable of shooting 5-bracket RAW images
  • Ultra-wide zoom lens (16mm full-frame equivalent or wider)
  • Sturdy tripod
  • Drone capable of 3- or 5-bracket RAW stills, Part 107 compliant (DJI or equivalent)
  • Gimbal for phone, and for pro camera (strongly preferred)


Why Join Nested Tours?


  • Local territory — the shoots are in your backyard, not two hours away
  • Flexible schedule — accept the shoots that fit your week
  • No editing required — you shoot and upload; we handle everything after that
  • Real training — full onboarding, a style guide, shadow and supervised shoots, and monthly training. We've built photographers from scratch before.
  • Room to grow — territories that reach consistent volume have historically moved toward larger, steadier arrangements. Get in early on a growing one.
  • A company that's actually growing — we've expanded into Tulsa and Lawton in the past year and we're not slowing down


How to Apply


Apply on Indeed and include:


  1. Where you live (city, and roughly how far you are from downtown Norman)
  2. Your photography equipment — camera body, lenses, tripod, gimbal, drone model
  3. Your FAA Part 107 certificate date
  4. A link to your work — website, Instagram, Google Drive folder, anything
  5. Your general weekday availability (most shoots are weekdays, 9am–5pm)
  6. Why you want to join Nested Tours

If you're Part 107 certified and your gear list is close but not quite complete, apply anyway and tell us exactly what you have — it's worth a conversation.


  • Nested Tours — Sell Fast. List More. Learn more at nestedtours.com

Apply