Drone footage should be free…
I’ve never done it, but I’ve always wanted to reach out to other videographers and pretend to be an inquiring couple. I am just so curious what their responses are like. Do they send all their info at once or are they stingier? Are they using lots of exclamation marks!!!! Or are they bigger fans of the alternating between a period and an exclamation mark? Do they respond individually or does it read more like a template? Are they more professional than me? Less? And what packages do they offer? Am I competitive with them or should I raise my prices? Lower them? … So many unknowns. And honestly, if I reached out to them and just told them I was a curious fellow videographer, I’m sure most would be happy to answer my questions. But there’s something awkward about it (or maybe I’m too prideful). And I’m way too convicted to lie and pretend to be a couple (although I often wonder if others have done it to me).
One of the most common questions I am asked from inquiring brides is, “Do you charge extra for drone footage?” This question always confuses me, but I have a feeling that if I were to send fake inquiries to other videographers, I would quickly realize that many of them are charging extra for drone footage. Then I’d be less confused. But for the time being, this question always raises my eyebrows. To me, it’s like asking if I charge extra to use my better camera or my better lenses. It’s like asking if I charge extra to capture audio and not just video. Or if I charge extra to use my gimbal so that my shots are stable. If I have good equipment, why would I not use it? I want to make a great video too!
There are a handful of reasons why I don’t charge for drone footage:
It makes my videos better. This one should be pretty obvious. Drone footage adds a dimension to films and keeps the viewer engaged. For a while, nearly every video I made started with a drone establishing shot. It sets the scene so well. Drone shots are easy and quick and often make a video feel so much more professional! And good, professional videos not only leave happy clients, but also make me look good. Why would I charge my clients to make myself look good? I’ll happily do that for free! It’s a win, win. I get to look professional and my clients are more satisfied.
It might rain. Fall weddings often take place at the same time as college football games. What if I told you that I charged you extra for your football team to win on your wedding day? Kinda stupid, right? Well, that’s similar to charging for drone footage. Drones are not waterproof, and if it rains all day, I won’t be able to fly my drone. So you paid for something I couldn’t provide because something outside of my control prohibited me from doing it. So then I have to reimburse you the extra money I charged you and… that’s just too complicated. The point is that drone footage is never guaranteed. And it’s just not smart to charge for something you can’t guarantee.
Weddings could be located in no fly zones. The FAA closely regulates drone flights and won’t allow them to even take off if you are near an airport or are inside of a national park, military zone, etc. While it is possible to check beforehand, there are times in which you just don’t know until you’re on site and suddenly find yourself unable to take off. Again, just not something you can guarantee.
It’s so accessible. These days, everyone has a drone. You can get a decent 4K drone for like $300. So if you are charging extra for drone footage, the bride can easily get on social media and ask one of her friends to come grab some shots (which, by the way, are super easy to get) and then use them herself or send them to you to add to your video. Now all her friends and family think you’re lame. Congrats.
It’s fun! Flying drones is one of my favorite hobbies (especially FPV drones). I fly in my spare time, and I absolutely love it. If you want me to get some drone shots, you don’t have to ask me twice!
So yeah. Charging extra for drone footage at weddings just doesn’t make sense. Yeah, yeah, I know. You have to put in work and pay money to be part 107 licensed, and the drones aren’t exactly cheap (not to mention they increase insurance costs). But to me, that’s all just the cost of doing business. And refusing to charge extra for drone footage I think has done far more for my business than charging would have. It just keeps things simple, keeps clients happy, and makes my videos look great.
