Frequently Asked Questions

Questions we get
before every shoot.

Pricing, process, FAA certification, coverage areas — answered straight. If something isn't here, send us a note and we'll get back to you same day.

Pricing & Packages

How much does drone videography cost for a real estate listing?

Our property packages start at $249 for the STR Essentials package, which includes edited interior and exterior photos and video. The STR + Drone package is $349 and adds aerial drone footage. The Cinematic Listing package is $599 and includes the full cinematic treatment — 4K aerial video, interior walkthrough, color grading, and a final edit ready for listing platforms and social media. Real estate listing packages use the same pricing.

Do you charge travel fees?

We operate out of three locations — Canton, GA, Tifton, GA, and Panama City Beach, FL — so most shoots in those markets have no travel fee. For properties outside our service areas, we'll include a travel cost estimate in your quote upfront. No surprises.

Do you offer discounts for multiple properties or recurring work?

Yes. If you manage a portfolio of STR properties or have ongoing real estate listing needs, reach out and we'll put together a custom rate. Volume clients and retainer arrangements get priority scheduling and better pricing than one-off bookings.

What's included in the final deliverables?

Every package includes edited, color-graded files ready to use — not raw footage dropped in a folder. Depending on your package, that means a curated photo gallery, a listing video, and/or a social media edit. We deliver via a private download link within the turnaround window for your package.

Process & Turnaround

How long does a shoot take?

Most residential property shoots run 1.5 to 2.5 hours depending on the size of the property and the package. We'll give you a time estimate when you book so you can plan accordingly. For events and sports, we discuss coverage scope before the day.

How long until I get my photos and video back?

Edited photo galleries are delivered within 24 to 48 hours. Full video edits come back in 3 to 5 business days. We know listing timelines are tight and that social content has a shelf life, so we build our delivery around that reality. Rush delivery is available on request.

How do I prepare my property for a drone shoot?

For interiors: think guest-ready. Clean surfaces, made beds, staged towels, no personal items out, cords tucked. Consistent lighting — open blinds and turn on all lights. For exteriors: cars out of the driveway, trash cans hidden, lawn trimmed if possible. We have a full prep guide in our blog if you want the detailed version.

What happens if weather causes a cancellation?

We monitor conditions before every shoot. If wind or weather makes safe drone flight impossible, we reschedule at no charge. Interior photography can often still happen on the same day even if we have to push the aerial portion. We'll communicate early if conditions look questionable.

Do I need to be present during the shoot?

Not required, but helpful. If you or your property manager can be on-site, we can confirm access to all areas and flag anything worth capturing that we might otherwise miss. For STR properties especially, having someone who knows the place is useful.

Licensing & Regulations

Are your drone pilots FAA certified?

Yes. Both Curtis and Maddux Walters hold FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificates, which is the required federal certification for any commercial drone operation in the United States. Part 107 covers airspace rules, weather limitations, and safe operating procedures. We also handle LAANC airspace authorization for controlled airspace — you don't need to think about that side of things.

Can you fly near airports or in restricted airspace?

It depends on the specific location. Many areas near airports are flyable with LAANC authorization, which we handle before the shoot. Some zones require FAA waiver applications. If your property is in a restricted area, let us know the address and we'll check it before booking rather than showing up and finding out on the day.

Do you carry drone insurance?

Yes. We carry commercial drone liability insurance on every shoot. If your HOA, venue, or event organizer requires proof of insurance, just ask and we'll provide the certificate.

Are there places you can't fly a drone?

Federal regulations prohibit drone flight over certain areas including active emergency scenes, near moving aircraft, and within certain distances of airports without authorization. Some local ordinances add restrictions on top of FAA rules. Panama City Beach, for example, has beach corridor considerations during peak season. We check all of this before your shoot.

Services & Coverage

What areas do you serve?

We operate out of Canton, GA (North Georgia / Metro Atlanta corridor), Tifton, GA (South Georgia), and Panama City Beach, FL (Gulf Coast). If you're outside those areas but nearby, reach out — we're willing to travel for the right project.

Do you shoot interior photos and video, or just aerial?

Both. Most of our property packages include interior and exterior ground-level content alongside the aerial. A drone-only shoot is rarely the right move — the aerial footage is most effective when it's paired with strong interior content that shows the full property.

Can you help with social media content for my STR property?

Yes — ongoing STR social media management is one of our core services. We shoot, edit, caption, and post content for short-term rental operators on Panama City Beach and throughout our service areas. If you're looking for more than a one-time listing shoot, we can put together a content plan.

Do you shoot sports and events in addition to real estate?

Yes. We do aerial and ground-level coverage for high school and youth sports programs, tournaments, and events. Drone footage for athletics is particularly effective for program promotion, recruiting highlight reels, and social content. Event coverage runs from corporate events to weddings to community festivals.

Can you deliver vertical video formatted for Instagram Reels and TikTok?

Yes. All video packages can include social-optimized cuts in addition to the standard listing format. We deliver 9:16 vertical edits for Reels and TikTok and 1:1 cuts for Instagram feed if you need them. Just let us know when you book.

Equipment & Quality

What resolution do you shoot in?

We shoot 4K video and high-resolution stills on professional-grade camera systems. Every deliverable is color-graded and edited before it reaches you. We don't deliver raw files as a final product.

How is NearDrone different from a cheaper drone operator?

A few things. First, both pilots are FAA Part 107 certified and experienced specifically in real estate and STR content — not generalist drone hobbyists. Second, we handle the full production: shoot, edit, color grade, and deliver finished content. Third, we know the markets we work in. We understand what content performs on Gulf Coast STR listings versus North Georgia real estate versus metro Atlanta — and we shoot accordingly.

Do you edit the footage, or do I get raw files?

We handle the full edit. You get finished content — color-graded, cut to the right length, with music if applicable. Raw files aren't useful to most clients, and handing over an unedited drone clip isn't something we consider a deliverable.

Still have questions?

Tell us about your project and we'll put together a quote — usually within a few hours.