Drone photography costs $100 to $1,700 per shoot in 2026
Drone photography costs $100 to $1,700 per shoot in 2026. Fash lists real estate photos at $100 to $300 and a half day shoot at $400 to $1,100. HomeJab calls $400 a typical bundled package. DroneVideos lists $150 to $750 per shoot. The job type, the time on site, and video add ons move the price. Your area and the pilot's skill matter too.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Fash | Fash lists $50 to $300 per hour, real estate photos at $100 to $300, a half day shoot at $400 to $1,100, and a full day shoot at $500 to $1,700. |
| HomeJab | HomeJab lists a $225 basic aerial package, a $499 premium package, a typical bundled package at $400, and $100 to $200 per hour. |
| Shotkit | Shotkit lists $100 to $200 per hour for beginners, $350 to $500 for experienced pilots, a real estate package at $350 to $750, and mapping at $500 to $5,000. |
| DroneVideos | DroneVideos lists $150 to $750 per shoot, packages at $150 to $600, and $0.20 to $2.00 per square foot. |
Drone photography cost by job type
| Job | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate photos only | $100 to $300 | Fash |
| Real estate photos and video, small package | $250 to $500 | Fash |
| Real estate photos and video, large package | $350 to $800 | Fash |
| Half day commercial shoot | $400 to $1,100 | Fash |
| Full day commercial shoot | $500 to $1,700 | Fash |
| Basic aerial photo package | $225 | HomeJab |
| Real estate full package with aerial | $350 to $750 | Shotkit |
| Drone mapping project | $500 to $5,000 | Shotkit |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | Pilots set rates by skill. Fash lists $50 to $300 per hour, and Shotkit lists $100 to $200 for new pilots and $350 to $500 for experienced ones. |
| Photos or video | Video costs more than stills. Fash lists real estate photos only at $100 to $300, and photos with video at $250 to $500 for a small package. |
| Length of the shoot | Longer shoots cost more. Fash lists a half day at $400 to $1,100 and a full day at $500 to $1,700 for commercial work. |
| Property size | Some pilots price by square foot. HomeJab lists $0.10 to $0.25 per square foot, while DroneVideos lists $0.20 to $2.00. |
| Type of work | Weddings, events, and mapping cost more than a house shoot. Shotkit lists mapping at $500 to $5,000 per project and event days at $1,000 to $2,500. |
What the price includes
Most quotes cover the shoot, basic editing, and the final photo or video files. Fash says video editing can run $70 to $180 per hour as an add on. HomeJab says travel fees and rush delivery cost extra. Ask how many edited photos and video clips you get in the base price, and when you get the files. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Drone shoots are sold by solo pilots, photo studios, and real estate media firms. Some bill by the hour and some sell a flat package. Fash lists hourly rates of $50 to $300, and HomeJab sells set packages from $225. HomeJab says many pilots charge for travel and rush delivery. Pilots also pay for gear and insurance, and Fash puts liability cover at $450 to $750 per year, so those costs show up in the price. Get the scope and the file delivery date in writing before you pay a deposit.
When you need this
Drone photos help when a ground camera cannot show the whole site. Sellers use them to show lot size and views. Builders use them to track a job. Event hosts use them for wide shots of a crowd or a venue. If you only need a few photos of a small house, a drone add on to a normal photo shoot is often enough.
How to judge your quote
- Ask how many edited photos and video clips come with the price.
- Ask if the pilot holds an FAA Part 107 license and has insurance.
- Ask about travel, rush, and extra editing fees before you book.
- Get the rate in writing, flat or hourly, with the hours you will pay for.
- Compare the total with the range above: $100 to $1,700 per shoot for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Add drone shots to a regular photo shoot. Fash lists a drone add on to standard photography at $50 to $100, which beats booking a separate pilot.
- Buy a package. HomeJab lists $249 for 10 photos and $499 for 15 photos plus a 2 minute video, which costs less than paying for each piece.
- Compare two or three pilots. Fash lists hourly rates from $50 to $300, so quotes for the same job can differ a lot.
- Pay only for what you need. If you only need photos, skip video. Fash lists photos only at $100 to $300 and photos with video at $250 to $800.
- Ask for a flat project price when the job is clear. DroneVideos lists flat shoots at $150 to $750, which makes your budget easy to plan.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Fash, HomeJab, Shotkit and DroneVideos. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does drone photography cost per hour?
Fash lists $50 to $300 per hour. Shotkit lists $100 to $200 for new pilots and $350 to $500 for experienced pilots.
How much is a real estate drone shoot?
Fash lists $100 to $300 for photos only and up to $800 with video. DroneVideos lists $150 to $750 per shoot.
How much does a wedding drone shoot cost?
Fash lists $300 to $900 as a stand alone wedding video and $200 to $500 as an add on. Shotkit lists half day coverage at $300 to $700.
Is there a price per square foot?
Some pilots price by size. HomeJab lists $0.10 to $0.25 per square foot, and DroneVideos lists $0.20 to $2.00.
Do pilots charge extra for editing?
Often yes. Fash says video editing can run $70 to $180 per hour as an add on. Ask what edits the base price includes.