This would be considered a commercial use and would require that you have your Part 107 certification from the FAA. Even though you are not “selling” the photos or video, they are being used for business purposes.

There are a lot of gray areas here. Obviously the answer is yes. You would never be able to take pictures of anything outside of your own house!! But for me it’s more about common sense, courtesy and respecting other’s right to privacy. I can fly over a neighborhood and shoot an aerial shot from 200’ as part of a real estate package with no problem. I won’t fly over a single house and shoot pictures of people in their fenced-in backyard without their permission. Common sense goes a long way.

These rules are complicated - the easiest answer is “a half hour before sunrise and a half hour after sunset”. There are some lights that can be added to drones to comply with new laws… but for me the answer (right now) is no!

Any technology is subject to failure, so I won’t say no. My insurance does cover fly aways! But, from what I see on-line there seems to be advance indicators that something is going to happen, that are often ignored.

Way higher than the FAA allows. In the United States, the legal altitude limit in any restricted area is 400’ above ground level. If you have your remote pilot certificate and are flying within 400′ of a structure, like a building or a tower, you are allowed to fly 400’ above the top of that structure.

Way further than I should!! The FAA requires drones to be kept within “visual line of site” of the person flying. You’re maybe thinking, “Wait I’ve seen tons of YouTube videos where people seem to be flying miles and miles away.” I’ve seen them, too. I guess the FAA doesn’t watch YouTube! Actually, I do hear the FAA is cracking down on some of this. I try to be careful and law abiding.

Generally speaking, in most places yes you can. People don’t own the airspace over their homes. Most local governments will allow you to fly over property you don’t own so long as you are not invading privacy or being a nuisance. The bottom line is to use common sense and courtesy.

Possibly! Drones are banned in all National Parks in the US. Many states have rules against flying in State Parks as well. Cities or towns might allow it. It never hurts to ask or check! I also have found that many places now have signage that prohibits flying drones. I have found that the “no fly zone” is typically only serval city blocks and for arial footage it seems to work still. The answer is always about respecting the rights and safety of others.

Yes - but my drone has the same flotation characteristics as a rock - it sinks. Youtube records far too many “water landings” (there is something sick about how enjoyable they are to watch). In my experience electronics and water have never been a good match! That being said over the water shots are beautiful and the first week I risked it!!

You can fly anywhere it’s not prohibited!!! LOL. It actually gets very complicated. Prohibited areas include:
Within five miles of most airports
sports stadiums or arenas during events
Over crowds
Over traffic
National Parks and many state parks
Jails and prisons

Local governments have rules about city or town parks also.

I use several “apps” to make sure that locations are “legal” before flying. There are some areas where you can request special permission 24 hours in advance fly (State Capital area).

I can offer photos at different resolutions, in different file formats, as raw footage or as a edited/finished project. I can splice footage into a short video. Let me know your vision or needs.

All of the fee’s add up. There is time and effort in applying, studying for and passing the required licenses. Registration costs and insurance costs add up quickly. Take into account the cost of the phone, the apps, and of the drone itself. Editing software is expensive and hard to learn. And yes, there is some experience involved.