Don’t Hire A Videographer Who Flies A Drone Without A License

Ever since I started offering wedding videography in 2022, I have wanted to offer drone videography. I have watched many wedding films and drone how-to videos on YouTube. I am fascinated by the beauty, technology, and editing. As of November 2024, I had not attempted aerial photography or videography. For Christmas, my wife bought me my very first commercial-grade drone. While I have been learning to fly it, I have also been studying to take my “Unmanned Aircraft General – Small (UAG)” exam to comply with Part 107. I am proud to say that as of 3/28/25, I am not an FAA-certified drone pilot!!

Responsibility Of Commercial Drone Operation

It is my opinion that to fly, you have to know what you’re doing. I know that sounds silly, but it is very important to know the rules and regulations for drones. Not only could you possibly hurt somebody or damage a venue or someone’s property, but you can actually get in trouble with the FAA. Flying a drone for commercial use is not as simple as just buying a drone.

Here are my tips for making sure you’re hiring a videographer who is fully licensed by the FAA to fly at your venue. Make sure that you verify that your aerial operator videographer has his or her drone certification from the FAA. He or she is required to carry this during operation. This is a certification that every commercial videographer must have. This means the drone operator has taken a written exam at a designated FAA testing facility. Flying a drone is not something where you just say, oh, I’m gonna fly a drone, and that’s it.

I believe that many commercial drone photographers and videographers believe they can purchase a drone and fly it with little to no instruction or training. This is not the case and is illegal. If I were to go by a drone and fly it for myself just for fun, I could do that as long as I’m not within a restricted airspace, such as class C airspace. However, if I want to make any money or am doing it for charity, I must be FAA-certified. I am!

Protect Yourself From Unlicensed Pilot Videographers

To protect yourself, to protect the venues that you’ve hired, to protect your guests, and to protect other visitors, hire a certified, licensed drone pilot. Hire a videographer who can provide a copy of their FAA certification to ensure they are certified. I’ve seen too many times where people fly drones without knowing the certification process. They don’t know the rules. They have not taken a written test at a testing facility. Not only is that unfair to videographers who are licensed drone pilots, but it’s also not fair to you because it could impact your day. It can cause harm or damage and potentially get the videographer in trouble. Please ensure if you’re hiring someone, they have the required certification.

I always tell my couples that I’m licensed to do business in the state of Ohio. I’m happy to provide that license to anyone. It can be searched on the Secretary of State website. I also tell them that I’m fully insured, which I am, and sometimes I have to provide my insurance coverage to venues in order to let me shoot. If you’re counting on a videographer to do aerial shots at your wedding, they best be certified. They may have to prove that to the venue in order to even shoot there. Just protect yourself, protect your guests, and protect the venue. Have a great wedding.