At Drone Legends, we’re passionate about unlocking the potential of drones through STEM education. 

But drone technology offers more than just a pathway for scientific exploration. Through aerial cinematography, drones can open doors to careers that combine artistic vision with technical piloting skills, and even engineering knowledge (if, for example, you want to build your own drone).

Aerial cinematography is the act of shooting videos or photos from the air. 

Traditionally, aerial cinematography required expensive helicopters and airplanes, which meant that only movies with huge budgets could afford to do it.

Drones have changed all of that. With the arrival of inexpensive consumer drones, anyone can do high-quality aerial cinematography.

To do this job at a professional level, you need to master three skills:

  • Flying a drone
  • Shooting video and/or photos
  • Editing video and/or photos

Keep reading to learn about how people are making a living today doing aerial cinematography—and how students can work toward a career doing this type of work, too.

Aerial Cinematography vs. Drone Inspections

Before we go any further, it’s important to note that you don’t have to do aerial cinematography to make a living flying a drone and shooting aerial footage.

Another common career path for drone pilots who like shooting aerial footage is to collect inspection footage.

Here are the key differences between the two:

  • Aerial cinematography focuses on capturing visually compelling footage for artistic and commercial purposes.
  • Drone inspection work focuses on using drones as a data collection tool, flying over infrastructure like bridges, power lines, and wind turbines to collect visual, thermal, or other types of data on their condition.

Work doing drone inspections is technical, and can require specific certifications and a deep understanding of inspection methodology and how to get the right data. 

Flyability’s Elios 3 is a drone made just for inspections | Credit: Flyability

On the other hand, work doing aerial cinematography is a blend of technical skill and artistic vision. It demands proficiency in drone operation and camera handling, but also requires skills in creative composition, storytelling, and the ability to capture emotion through visuals.

7 Careers in Aerial Cinematography

Aerial cinematography was one of the first types of work people ever started doing with drones. 

Today, it’s still one of the most common ways people make a living with drones. According to Drone Industry Insights (DII), “aerial filming and photography” was near the top of its list of top drone applications for 2024.

So how exactly are people doing aerial cinematography these days? 

Here are the seven most common ways:

1. Film and Television Production

Credit: Johnny FPV

Aerial cinematography in film and television brings cinematic grandeur and dynamic perspectives to visual storytelling. Professional drone pilots collaborate with directors and production teams, mastering complex flight maneuvers to capture sweeping landscapes and dramatic action sequences. This field demands a keen eye for composition and an understanding of cinematic language.

Getting Started: Begin by learning basic drone flight and camera operation. Experiment with different camera angles and movements, and consider taking film or photography classes in school. Explore online tutorials and resources on filmmaking and aerial cinematography. When considering college, look into film or media production majors.

What you’ll create:

  • Sweeping aerial establishing shots in feature films or T.V. shows.
  • Dynamic chase sequences in action movies like these amazing sequences from Red Notice shot by popular drone pilot Johnny FPV.
  • Breathtaking landscape footage for nature documentaries.

2. Events

Credit: Drone Motion

Drone videography for events captures the energy and scale of large gatherings like concerts and festivals. Aerial cinematographers document these events, providing stunning visuals for promotional materials and highlight reels. This field requires the ability to capture dynamic action in real-time, focusing on the atmosphere and overall experience.

Getting Started: Practice capturing footage of school events, local festivals, or community gatherings. Focus on smooth drone movements and capturing the overall atmosphere. Learn to edit video and create short highlight reels. Consider joining a school media club or taking video editing classes.

What you’ll create:

  • Highlight reels of music festivals.
  • Promotional videos for community events.
  • Aerial footage for concert visuals and documentaries.

3. Weddings

Credit: Daniel Lopez Perez 

Weddings are intimate, once-in-a-lifetime events, and aerial videography can add a special cinematic touch to these special occasions. Professional wedding photographers use drones to capture the beauty of the venue, the procession, and the celebration from unique angles, creating lasting memories for couples. This work demands a delicate balance of technical skill, artistic sensitivity, and interpersonal skills.

Getting Started: Practice capturing smooth, cinematic footage of outdoor gatherings and improve your editing skills to create emotionally resonant videos. Also, work on interacting with clients—wedding photography is all about listening to people, and getting them to trust you. Focus on capturing candid moments and beautiful scenery. Consider taking photography or videography classes to learn about composition and storytelling.

What you’ll create:

  • Cinematic highlight reels of wedding ceremonies.
  • Aerial wedding footage of venues, guests, the couple, receptions and more.
  • Montages of the couple and their guests celebrating.

4. Sports 

Credit: Autel

Capturing the speed and intensity of sports requires precision and skill. Aerial cinematographers film everything from extreme sports, like snowboarding and motocross, to traditional events, like marathons and races. They use drones to follow the action, providing dynamic and engaging footage. This field demands quick reflexes, technical proficiency, and an ability to anticipate movement.

Getting Started: Practice capturing footage of local sports events or recreational activities. Focus on following moving subjects smoothly and capturing dynamic angles. Experiment with different flight modes and camera settings. Consider joining a school sports team or club to gain a better understanding of sports movements.

What you’ll create:

  • Dynamic aerial footage of extreme sports competitions.
  • Highlight reels of sporting events.
  • Aerial shots for sports documentaries and training videos.

5. Real Estate and Architecture

Credit: DJI

Showcasing properties from an aerial perspective gives potential buyers a comprehensive view. Professional real estate drone pilots create virtual tours and promotional videos that highlight the unique features of buildings and landscapes. This field requires attention to detail, a sense of scale, and an understanding of architectural aesthetics.

Getting Started: Practice capturing smooth, steady footage of buildings and landscapes in your area. Focus on highlighting key features and creating a sense of space. Learn about architectural photography and videography techniques. Consider taking design or architecture classes to develop an eye for visual presentation.

What you’ll create:

  • Aerial virtual tours of properties.
  • Promotional videos showcasing architectural designs.
  • Aerial photographs for real estate listings.

6. Advertising and Commercials

Credit: Pixis Drones

Drone footage adds a compelling visual dimension to advertising and marketing campaigns. From showcasing scenic destinations for travel agencies to highlighting the features of new products, aerial footage captures attention and helps create memorable visuals. This field demands creativity, technical proficiency, and a basic understanding of marketing principles. 

Getting Started: Practice capturing visually appealing footage of products, landscapes, or everyday scenes. Experiment with different camera angles, lighting, and movement to create engaging visuals. Learn about video editing and visual storytelling. Consider exploring marketing and advertising concepts to understand how visuals influence consumer behavior.

What you’ll create:

  • Aerial footage for product commercials.
  • Dynamic shots for travel and tourism advertisements.
  • Visuals for promotional videos and social media campaigns.

7. Travel and Tourism Promotion

Capturing the beauty of destinations from above is a powerful way to attract tourists. Aerial cinematographers create stunning visuals for travel agencies, tourism boards, and resorts, showcasing the unique landscapes and attractions of their locations. This field demands an eye for scenic composition, an understanding of cultural landscapes, and the ability to convey the essence of a destination.

Getting Started: Practice capturing footage of natural landscapes, local landmarks, and tourist attractions. Focus on showcasing the unique features and atmosphere of each location. Learn about landscape photography and videography techniques. Consider studying composition, as well as—if you want to go deep on the subject—geography or environmental science to deepen your understanding of diverse environments.

What you’ll create:

  • Promotional videos for travel destinations.
  • Aerial footage for tourism websites and brochures.
  • Visuals for travel documentaries and social media campaigns.

Storyboard Your Aerial Vision: A Mini-Project

Now, let’s put your newfound knowledge about aerial cinematography into action. 

One of the most important aspects of aerial cinematography is planning your shots. Professionals use storyboards to visualize their shots before taking flight.

Activity Steps

Note: This activity should take between 30-60 minutes. Time differences depend on how deep you want to go on each of the three steps—you could do each step in 5-10 minutes or slow down and spend 20-30 minutes on each one.

Imagine you’ve been hired to capture a short aerial video of your local park during sunset.

Follow these steps to practice getting the hang of aerial cinematography:

1. Plan Your Shots

Decide on three to five key shots you want to capture. Consider different angles, movements, and perspectives.

2. Create Your Storyboard

Draw a simple sketch for each shot, showing the composition and framing. You can also write a brief description of each shot, including the desired camera movement (e.g., pan, tilt, orbit).

3. Share Your Vision

Discuss your storyboard with a friend or family member, explaining your creative choices.

This simple activity will help you understand the importance of planning and visualization in aerial cinematography.

Conclusion & Next Steps

As you can see, aerial cinematography offers a diverse range of career opportunities, blending creativity and technology. 

Whether you’re passionate about filmmaking, events, or travel, there’s a range of options, all of which highlight different skills and interests. 

Want to learn more? Read this guide from our partner UAV Coach on aerial drone cinematography.