I started flying drones commercially about five years ago, and it's become one of the most versatile tools in my kit. For property work, an aerial shot can transform a listing, it shows the garden, the parking, the neighbourhood, and the surrounding countryside in a way that no ground-level photo can match.
But what's surprised me is how much demand there is outside of property. I've photographed shipping ports, logistics warehouses, equestrian centres, and rural estates. Commercial clients need aerial imagery for marketing, planning applications, insurance documentation, and corporate communications. The drone gives them a perspective that would otherwise require a helicopter or a cherry picker.
Every flight is planned carefully. I check airspace, weather, and any local restrictions before I arrive. Safety is non-negotiable, I'm fully CAA licensed and insured, and I take the regulations seriously. If conditions aren't right on the day, I'll come back rather than compromise on safety or quality.