Using drones has become one of the fastest-growing and most popular trends in photography and videography over the last few years. Being able to put a high-quality camera into the sky and take stunning aerial images of whatever is below it is very appealing to many photographers or visual content creators looking to improve their work.

To properly use a drone for photography, you will need to have some knowledge of the practical, legal, and safety considerations of owning and using a drone, as well as know where to get the required training and the needed certification if you are going to use your drone for commercial work.

Before you need to worry about any of this though, and before you can get started using your drone, you will need the right equipment. Here’s the essential kit that you will need to have. 

Drone photography equipment can range from more budget-friendly off-the-shelf solutions that already have everything that you will need to take beautiful aerial photos or video footage, through to more expensive individual components that you can buy and assemble yourself to create a custom set up that is unique and personal to you and your photography needs. 

There are a few important components that are used in drone photography that you will need to have before you start taking pictures. You can learn more about drones and how to use them properly at https://www.drdrone.ca/. 

The Drone

Obviously, you will need to buy the drone itself. A drone is a flying device that has multiple propellers that will allow it to fly around or hover in one place while you take photographs or capture video. 

Drones can come in a wide variety of different sizes, depending on what you need. The smallest options are essentially just small plastic toys to be used for fun indoors. The larger options range right up to very large drones with integrated gimbals and cameras to be used outside for professional purposes.

There are also options for large, professional drones that are made from carbon-fibre, that have retractable legs, and much longer possible light times. These offer some major performance benefits and are usually the best choice for professional photographers to use. 

The right drone for you and your photography will depend on what you plan to do with it. A small drone can be a good idea to buy first so you can practice using one and get the hang of it with some cheaper and lighter before you invest in a more serious option.

A mid-range drone is likely to be enough if photography is just your hobby, whereas the higher-end models are better suited to professional photographers or videographers.  

A Gimbal

A gimbal is a stabilized harness or frame that is suspended underneath the drone. The gimbal is designed to carry a camera and keep it level or allow the camera to be pointed in a particular direction with a remote. 

Like the drones themselves, gimbals vary quite a bit in price and size. You need to choose a gimbal that is able to be lifted by the drone that you choose, while it is also lifting your camera. You should also make certain that you buy a gimbal that is able to cope with the weight and the size of your camera.  

Zenmuse is one of the more popular manufacturers of reliable gimbals for use with higher-end drones, but there are quite literally hundreds of options on the market.

If you need to be on a stricter budget for your equipment, you could look at cheaper, Chinese models of the gimbal, although make sure you check reviews to make sure you buy one of reasonable quality that can stand up to the job you need it to do.

Whichever gimbal you decide to buy, be sure that it will actually fit your camera. It’s also a good idea to buy one that has good reviews from reliable sources so you know it will do the job. 

A Camera

Naturally, if you’re going to take photographs using a drone, you will of course need a good camera as well as the drone. There are drones available on the market that can carry a range of different cameras, including a very small dedicated camera, GoPro action cameras, compact and mirrorless cameras, DSLR cameras, and even high-end movie cameras. Consider what camera you need to use, and what your drone is able to safely carry. 

You might be tempted to build your new drone photography set up around your existing camera and lenses. There’s no reason that you can’t do this, but before you do decide to, think about the size and the cost of a drone that will be large enough and powerful enough to lift something like a heavy DSLR camera. 

You may find that it is actually a better idea, and cheaper, to consider a smaller, mirrorless camera to use as your drone camera instead of your usual one. These are a lot lighter than a DSLR, which makes them much easier for a drone lift, allowing you to get away with a more modest, and therefore much cheaper, drone set up. 

A Transmitter

In order to control your drone for photography, you will need to have a transmitter or a controller of some kind. These can range from an app on your phone or very simple transmitter devices that have only a few communication channels to much more advanced models of transmitters that have a lot of extra channels for controlling a lot more features of the drone and the camera. 

FPV Goggles Or Screen

While you will be able to take great photographs with a camera mounted on a drone without being able to see what your camera can see, you will get even more beautiful results if you can see. First Person View is the best and most popular method of seeing what your camera can see while it’s mounted on the drone. 

FPV works by taking a video feed from your camera and relaying it to a pair of goggles or a screen that you wear or use. 

As you move the drone around or shift the position of the gimbal, your FPV view will change to show you what the camera is now looking at. When you like what you can see, you just trigger the camera’s shutter remotely by pressing a button on the transmitter and get the picture you want. 

Batteries, Battery Charger, and Other Accessories

Lastly, there are a few different accessories that will allow you to keep your drone powered up and safely in the air. You will need to carry spare batteries, a battery charger, spare propellor blades, tools for maintenance, spare parts, and a carry case. The battery and battery charger are the most important. 

Drones often use Lipo batteries, which can be charged quite quickly, and provide a lot of power in a short space of time. However, they can be quite volatile, and dangerous if they aren’t handled safely. 

There are budget batteries and chargers available, but you should stick with trusted brands, as these behave in a more predictable way and will be able to withstand more use without giving up. 

If you often charge and use the battery in quick succession, this can overheat the battery. Instead of recharging one battery all the time, carry a few batteries and use them in rotation, so each battery has time to cool down before you use it again.