Drone photographers and videographers shoot aerial photos and video for real estate agents, construction firms, solar and roofing companies, wedding clients, event organizers, and marketing teams. Invoices typically cover a shoot block (half day, full day, or a set number of properties), editing and delivery, and any extras like licensing, travel, or special permissions.
Create an invoice for payment collection
Upload logo
PDF will be generated with filename:
Invoice_1001_Client_2026-10-14.pdf
Most drone photographers price by the job or by package rather than by the hour. Real estate work is often a flat fee per property with a set number of photos and a short video. Commercial and construction work is commonly a day rate or half-day rate, or a recurring monthly fee for progress documentation. Editing is either bundled into the package or billed hourly for custom work like color-graded video, 3D models, or orthomosaic maps. Add-ons are common: rush delivery, extra locations, travel beyond a set radius, additional insured certificates, airspace authorization, and expanded usage licensing. Many pilots separate the shoot fee from the licensing fee so that commercial or broadcast use costs more than a basic web license. Clients who need a visual inspection, mapping, or survey-grade data pay more than those buying marketing photos.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate aerial photo package (10-20 photos) | flat fee per property | $100-300 |
| Real estate aerial photo and video package | flat fee per property | $250-600 |
| Commercial photo/video shoot | per half day (up to 4 hours) | $500-1,200 |
| Commercial photo/video shoot | per full day | $1,000-2,500 |
| Video editing and color grading | per hour | $50-100 |
| Construction progress documentation | per visit | $200-600 |
| Roof or structure inspection with photo report | per property | $150-500 |
| Mapping or orthomosaic/3D model processing | per project | $400-2,000 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerial photo and video shoot, 4-acre commercial property (half day, 12 edited photos, 60-second edited video) | 1 half day | $850.00 | $850.00 |
| Additional location: adjacent parcel, same day | 1 location | $150.00 | $150.00 |
| Additional video editing: client-requested revisions and logo overlay | 2 hours | $75.00 | $150.00 |
| Rush delivery (48 hours) | 1 flat fee | $100.00 | $100.00 |
| Travel beyond 30 miles | 42 miles | $0.70 | $29.40 |
| Total | $1,279.40 | ||
Notes: Payment due within 15 days of invoice date. Price includes a 12-month web and social media license for the delivered files. Print, broadcast, or paid advertising use requires a separate license. FAA Part 107 certificate and liability insurance on file. Late balances accrue 1.5% per month.
Ties the invoice to a specific flight and makes it easy to reconcile if the client has several properties or sites.
Listing the number of photos, video length, and file types (JPEG, RAW, 4K MP4) prevents arguments about what was included.
Spells out where and for how long the client can use the files, and what triggers an extra licensing fee.
Commercial clients, property managers, and insurers often ask for proof that the flight was legal.
If you flew in controlled airspace with LAANC or a waiver, noting it shows the flight was compliant and supports your pricing for added prep.
Video clients often request changes after delivery. A stated limit makes extra edit hours billable without conflict.
Remote sites, parking, permits, or park and event access fees are real costs that should be itemized instead of absorbed.
Many drone photographers take a 25-50% deposit to book larger commercial jobs and require full payment up front or at delivery for small real estate shoots. Final balances are commonly due net 7 to net 15, and agencies or construction firms may ask for net 30 and a PO number. Many pilots hold final high-resolution files or remove watermarks until payment clears. Late fees of 1-1.5% per month are common if stated in advance. Cards, ACH, and online payment links are typical, and weather reschedules or cancellations are often covered by a rebooking policy and a late-cancellation fee.
Bill flight and editing time as one line and usage rights as another. This lets you raise the price when a client wants to use footage in paid ads or broadcast without reworking your whole rate.
Decide in advance what happens if wind, rain, or a TFR cancels the flight. Common approaches are a free reschedule for weather, with a fee only if the client cancels on short notice or the crew is already on site.
LAANC approvals, waivers, and coordination with property managers take time. Add a flat airspace and planning fee for jobs near airports or restricted areas.
Flight time is often short while editing takes several hours. Showing editing as its own line explains your price and gives you a clear basis for billing extra revisions.
Liability insurance, batteries, spare drones, and software subscriptions are ongoing costs. Build them into your day rate so small jobs do not lose money.
In the US, flying a drone for paid work generally requires an FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate. Clients and insurers often ask for it, so including your certificate number on invoices and contracts is a good habit. Check current FAA rules for your situation.
Per project or package is the most common for real estate and small business work. Day or half-day rates fit commercial shoots. Hourly billing mostly applies to editing, consulting, or extra revisions.
Either include a set amount of editing in your package price and state the number of revision rounds, or list editing as its own line with an hourly rate. Charge extra for revisions beyond what was agreed.
Usually not if you can reschedule at no cost, since the work was not done. You can charge a cancellation or trip fee if the client cancels late or if you traveled to a remote site. Put the policy in writing before booking.
It depends on your state. Some states tax photography services or digital products and others do not. Check with your state revenue department or an accountant, and show any tax as a separate line when it applies.
Send a Drone Photographer estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Drone Photographer estimate template