Taking Aerial Construction Photographs in Houston: Benefits of Using Airplanes versus Drones

Houston is home to some of the most impressive construction projects in the world. From towering skyscrapers to sprawling infrastructure projects, there is always something exciting happening in this bustling city. And with all of this incredible construction comes the need for high-quality photography to document the progress and final product. But with two popular options on the table - airplanes and drones - which is the better choice for construction photography in Houston? In this blog post, we'll explore the pros and cons of each option, and help you decide which approach will best suit your needs. So buckle up and get ready for takeoff - we're about to dive into the world of aerial photography in Houston!

1. Introduction to Aerial Construction Photography in Houston

Aerial construction photography captures the entire construction site in a single shot as well as capturing close-ups of key areas of new development, giving an overall view of the progress and changes over time. It allows construction companies, owners, and developers to monitor work in real-time and make necessary improvements to meet the project’s standards. With this technology, it’s possible for all stakeholders to “be on the same page”, making it ideal for Houston construction photography where informed decision-making is critical. Aerial photography also plays a significant role in marketing and promoting construction projects, as it enables companies to showcase their work in a clear and concise manner. Overall, aerial photography is an incredible tool for construction companies to track their progress, improve their work, and promote their products.

Besides the potentially hazardous conditions associated with traditional construction photography, aerial photography can be used in Houston to minimize such risks. Aerial photography eliminates the need for ground-level personnel to take these photos, providing both a safer and more efficient way of capturing needed construction shots. Utilizing aerial photography in Houston for construction projects can provide greater control over the entire process, allowing for shots that traditional methods simply cannot capture.

2. Benefits of Taking Photos From the Air

Aerial photography provides a unique perspective that can't be captured from the ground such as a bird's eye view of overall site conditions, construction details, or infrastructure. This unique perspective has made aerial photography an essential tool for the  construction industry. Photographers use aerial photography to capture images of construction sites to help document progress or to provide a general overview of the project. In Houston, construction photography has become increasingly popular due to the city's rapid growth and increasing demand for new infrastructure. With aerial photography, construction professionals can now get a complete overview of their job sites and detect any issues that may occur during the project.

Meanwhile, aerial photography is especially useful for construction photography in Houston, where the airspace is challenging but there may be a need to capture areas that are difficult to access from ground level. Taking photos from the air can also capture hard-to-access areas that may not be reachable by foot such as with buildings and structures taller than two stories. 

3. Advantages of Using Airplanes for Photography

One advantage of aerial photography is the level of detail and precision it provides. Houston aerial photography using airplanes is an excellent way to document construction projects larger than a few acres in size. Drones are limited by FAA regulations in the maximum altitudes that they are legally allowed to fly.  Airplanes have no such limitations and are able to climb to whatever altitude is necessary to capture an entire construction site in a single image.  With advancements in technology and equipment, aerial photography has become more accessible and affordable than ever before. Overall, Houston aerial photography offers a myriad of benefits and opportunities for those looking to capture periodic documentation of site conditions to support monthly draw requests.  

Another advantage of using airplanes for aerial photography is the speed and efficiency with which photographs can be captured from above a location as well as the speed of travel between locations. This approach allows airplane-based photographers to capture construction photography in Houston quickly and efficiently, compared to the drone photographers navigating from site to site in Houston traffic. While drones are considerably less expensive than airplanes to own and operate, an airplane-based aerial photographer can quickly and easily capture imagery of dozens of Houston construction sites in just a few hours, while the drone photographer may only be able to get to a handful of locations.  As such, airplanes are often a cost-effective alternative to drones and are sometimes the least expensive option for construction photography in Houston.  

A major advantage of using airplanes for Houston construction photography is to gain access to the many locations within the complex Houston airspace in which drones are either substantially altitude restricted or downright prohibited.  Airplanes and helicopters can work virtually anywhere within the Houston airspace with proper coordination with air traffic control towers and approach controllers.  Drones require a lengthy airspace authorization application process for many areas around Houston.  Such applications can take weeks or even months to work through and often have little chance of approval at reasonable working altitudes if at all.

Drone Restriction Zone Map of Houston, Texas

The map above shows locations in the Houston MSA where drones are either prohibited from flying legally (red) or altitude-restricted (green).

Again, aerial photography from airplanes has multiple advantages for construction photography in Houston. Airplanes offer speed, efficiency, and unparalleled access to complex airspace environments such as Houston.  This makes them a great cost-effective option for anyone looking for top-quality aerial photos of construction sites in Houston, especially in those difficult airspace locations.

4. Benefits of Using Drones for Aerial Construction Photos

Drones have revolutionized the way businesses capture aerial photographs. With the ability to fly up to great heights, these devices can capture stunning images of buildings and landscapes that would otherwise be impossible to achieve with traditional photography methods. Houston construction photography has also benefited from this technology as it allows for easier management of construction sites. Rather than relying on ground-level images, architects and builders can make more informed decisions based on the detailed photographs taken from above. Additionally, drones can help identify issues with the construction site that may have been difficult to detect without an aerial view, ultimately leading to a safer project.

Drones are revolutionizing the field of aerial photography, creating a host of benefits for professionals working in various industries. One of the most significant advantages of using drones is the ability to capture low-altitude dramatic video footage of your jobsite.  In industries such as construction, drones provide a unique perspective that can capture stunning aerial video of sites from low altitudes with wide angle lenses to provide dramatic and stunning aerial footage.  Drone videography can be an effective tool in documenting and promoting your Houston construction project. The ability to program drones to capture time-lapse footage can also save time on site visits and inspections, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the project's progress. 

Thus, aerial photography with drones used for construction photography in Houston is a great way to increase safety on construction sites and capture aerial video at altitudes which really set your project apart from the competition. 

5. Deciding Which Option is Best

Understanding the Purpose: Consider the purpose of the aerial photography before deciding which option is best. For instance, a large commercial property requires different needs than a smaller residential property. But regardless of the property type, Houston aerial photography can offer several advantages, including a bird's-eye view of the property's surroundings, highlighting its landscapes and features. Moreover, it can also be used to provide 3D mapping and modeling for planners, developers, and architects. Additionally, aerial photography can help in property surveys, solar panel installations, transmission lines planning, and many other areas where a strategic viewpoint is required. All in all, Houston aerial photography can be an excellent tool for property owners and businesses alike.

Cost-Effective Solution: While drone photography is popular, getting aerial shots from a helicopter or airplane may be more cost-effective if a large property needs to be covered in a short amount of time. For instance, a real estate agent looking to create a virtual tour of a massive commercial complex or an extensive industrial facility could benefit from the use of an airplane to get the job done quickly and efficiently. The ability to quickly cover a vast area at once means that large areas can be covered in a shorter amount of time, which can mean cost savings in the long run. Furthermore, with advanced camera technology now available, professional photographers are capturing stunning aerial shots with sharpness and clarity that were not previously possible with traditional photography methods. As such, airplane photography can be an affordable solution for a wide range of industries looking to showcase their properties, including travel and tourism or even agriculture.

Furthermore, when considering aerial photography for Houston construction photography specifically, it is important to take into account the technical requirements of both drone and airplane options. Drone aerial photography offers a unique advantage of taking pictures from lower altitudes and different angles. However, aerial photography from an airplane can provide images from higher altitudes which might be better suited to certain projects.

6. Conclusion

In conclusion, aerial photography offers a unique and modern perspective that cannot be captured from the ground. With the rapid advancements in drone technology, aerial photography has become more accessible and affordable than ever before. This has opened up an entirely new world of possibilities for photographers and videographers alike. Aerial photography can capture stunning landscapes, breathtaking cityscapes, and even wildlife in their natural habitats. It can also be used for commercial purposes, such as real estate and construction projects. Overall, aerial photography provides endless opportunities for creativity and innovative storytelling.

Aerial photography has become increasingly popular in various fields, such as real estate, construction, and cinematography. One of the most common uses of aerial photography is for construction purposes. Construction Photography in Houston has increased tremendously with the rapid and sustained growth of the Houston MSA. Aerial photography provides a unique perspective on the construction site, which presents an advantage in terms of planning, analyzing, and visualizing the project. With the help of drone technology, builders can access high-quality images and videos of the site, which aid in identifying potential issues or complications. Moreover, it also acts as a useful tool for stakeholders who are monitoring the construction progress from afar. In conclusion, aerial photography has revolutionized construction photography in Houston, and it is expected to continue to play a vital role in the construction industry.

What Are The Benefits of Aerial Photography Services for Commercial Real Estate Brokers?

Aerial photography services are becoming increasingly popular for commercial real estate brokers in order to attract potential buyers. By using aerial photography services, brokers can show potential buyers a more comprehensive view of the property, highlighting key features and amenities. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of using aerial photography services for commercial real estate brokers.

What Are the Benefits of Aerial Photography Services for Commercial Real Estate Brokers?

Commercial real estate brokers can benefit from aerial photography services by getting access to high-quality images and videos of properties, which can be used to better showcase a property’s features and unique characteristics. With this information, brokers can quickly provide potential buyers or tenants with visuals of a property, such as its surrounding area, existing construction or new development under way. In addition, aerial images and videos can allow brokers to identify key features and benefits of the property that may not be visible from the ground. With access to high-quality aerial photography services, brokers can unlock the potential of commercial real estate properties and create more effective marketing campaigns.

Aerial photography services can also provide detailed information about a property’s surroundings, such as nearby amenities and transportation links, helping potential buyers get a better feel for the area and helping brokers market the property more effectively. In the world of commercial real estate, this is invaluable, as potential buyers need to be aware of what is surrounding the property, such as how close it is to major roads and amenities. Being able to provide detailed photographs from an aerial view gives them a better sense of what the property is like and how it fits into the local area. For brokers, aerial photography services can also be used to help sell properties by showcasing the area in full detail and allowing buyers to get a real feel for the area.

Utilizing Aerial Photography to Target Buyers and Sellers in the Commercial Real Estate Market

Utilizing aerial photography for marketing commercial real estate can create an immersive experience for potential buyers and sellers. By displaying an aerial view of the property, viewers can assess the layout of the land from a bird's eye perspective to identify potential opportunities and challenges associated with the property. Aerial photography services can provide an invaluable asset for marketing purposes, offering a comprehensive view of the property and its surroundings that can be used to attract potential buyers and garner interest. Moreover, drone photography services offer an additional layer of detail to convey the full picture of the property and generate excitement from potential buyers, allowing them to envision themselves in the space.

Through the use of aerial photography, brokers are able to provide an enhanced viewing experience through providing additional information about the physical features such as nearby water sources and topography that would be difficult to discern from ground level. Additionally, with aerial photography you can give potential buyers a sense of ownership in the viewing process by allowing them to easily access property photographs and data in real time, making it easier to make informed decisions about their purchase or sale.  Aerial photography is quickly becoming an essential tool in the commercial real estate market as it offers advantages to both buyers and brokers. The information conveyed through a professional set of aerial images can provide a valuable advantage to brokers. Additionally, providing potential buyers with easy access to relevant property photographs and data in real time can give them a sense of ownership in the investment process, making it easier to make informed decisions about their purchase or sale.

Conclusion

In conclusion, aerial photography services are becoming increasingly popular to help commercial real estate brokers attract potential buyers. With aerial photography services, brokers can showcase a comprehensive view of the property, highlight key features and amenities, and make the property look more attractive to potential buyers. With increasing demand for aerial photography services, more and more state and local authorities are allowing its use in commercial real estate marketing.  Give us a call today at 877-324-2533 to discuss your aerial photography needs!

How Can Drones Be Used to Take Stunning Aerial Photographs?

Drones have made it possible to capture stunning aerial photos that were once only possible for professional photographers. With a drone, you can take breathtaking photographs from angles and perspectives you never thought were possible. In this blog post, we'll explore the basics of how to use a drone to take amazing aerial photos. Let's get started!

 Drones for Dramatic Aerial Golden Hour Photos

Taking dramatic golden hour photos with a drone can add a whole new dimension to your portfolio.  With the right camera and settings, you can capture stunning aerial shots of sunsets and other golden hour moments from high above. Drone aerial photography is a great way to capture the stunning mixes of orange, yellow, and red hues that come out during the golden hour. It gives you a unique perspective that you can't get from ground level and can make for some beautiful, memorable photographs. No matter if you're a professional photographer or just starting out, adding drone aerial photos to your portfolio during this time of day is a great way to make your work stand out.

Drone aerial photography of marine vessel at sundown in Corpus Christi, Texas

From capturing sweeping landscapes to finding unique angles of well-known locations, drones give you the freedom to take amazing shots that weren't possible before. Plus, drones make it easier to time your shots for when the sun is just right for that perfect golden hour shot.  Besides giving you the freedom to capture stunning shots of landscapes and well-known locations, drones also make it surprisingly easy to time your shots for when the sun is right at the perfect golden hour. This allows photographers to capitalize on the dramatic lighting of this moment, and get truly breathtaking shots that could have never been captured prior to the invention of drone technology.

 Technical Tips for Capturing Amazing Aerial Photos with Drones

Capturing amazing aerial photos with drones during the dramatic golden hour is all about timing and technical knowledge. To ensure you get the best shot, make sure to: have the right equipment, like a drone with a high-quality camera and controller; plan ahead; take into account the wind speed, angles of the sun and shadows; frame your shot accordingly; and practice to get familiar with your drone. With patience and the right set-up, you can capture stunning photos that will show off the glowing golden hour in all its dramatic glory!

Drone aerial photography in downtown Austin, Texas at dusk

Plan ahead and identify the best time of day for your shoot – this could be when the golden hour light is at its most intense. I often instruct our younger photographers that the perfect moment is when the ambient lighting is approximately equal to the lighting on your subject.  Don't forget to also consider weather conditions, as wind can have a negative impact on drone footage. Dramatic golden hour drone aerial photography can be particularly stunning when there is an absence of wind, allowing for longer flight times and smoother footage. At this time of day, the sky is often more colorful, providing more stunning shots and making it easier to capture the perfect composition and capture beautiful imagery.

Once you have a plan in place, it's important to understand the technical aspects of capturing aerial photos with drones, such as learning how to adjust flight modes, camera settings, and frame rates. Capturing the perfect shot during a dramatic golden hour requires special consideration of these technical elements. For instance, when shooting aerial photos at golden hour, make sure to adjust flight modes for optimal stabilization, select the right camera settings to achieve high-quality images, and use the appropriate frame rate to capture that golden hour light. Understanding how to use all these elements together will increase your chance of success in capturing those stunning golden hour shots!

Additionally, make sure your drone is charged and updated with the latest software features so you won't experience any difficulties while shooting. All of these technical steps will significantly increase your chances of creating stunning aerial photographs during the dramatic golden hour.  Thereafter, all that's left to do is find the perfect spot and wait for the golden hour to begin. With a charged and updated drone, you will be ready to capture the stunning colors of the sky for a unique aerial view of the drama of golden hour. So make sure you take all necessary steps to ensure a hassle-free shooting experience and increase your chances of creating remarkable photographs at this time. The right combination of preparation, sky conditions, ambient lighting and luck can make even the most ordinary property put shine in dramatic fashion.

Drone aerial photography at dusk in McAllen, Texas

To Conclude

In conclusion, drones have revolutionized photography by allowing us to capture the world from angles and perspectives we never thought were possible. With some basic knowledge and practice, anyone can learn how to use a drone to take amazing aerial photos and capture images in ways they never thought they could. Call us today at 877-324-2533 for help with your dramatic aerial drone photos.

How are Drone Videography Services Effective for Your Business?

Drone videography services are becoming more and more popular in many businesses due to the immense benefits they bring. From increased visibility to cost savings, drone videography can help businesses reach their goals faster. In this blog post, we'll explore the many benefits of drone videography services for businesses. Keep reading to find out more!

How Drone Videography Can Benefit Businesses

Drone videography can help provide businesses with an entirely new perspective to add to their marketing and advertising efforts. By capturing aerial footage, businesses can provide a unique, memorable viewing experience to customers. With the use of drone videography services, businesses can create stunning visuals utilizing the latest in video editing, music, and graphics. The end result is a powerful piece of content that can be used to promote their brand and products, and encourage customers to take action. Drone videography is an invaluable tool for businesses looking to expand their reach and leave a lasting impression on their audience.

This practice can also be used to create virtual tours of business sites and provide customers with a better understanding of the services they use as well as the products they purchase. As a result, drone videography can be a cost-effective way to increase customer engagement and loyalty.  Meanwhile, drone videography services can be used to create virtual tours and give customers a better view of the services and products they use. This can help to increase customer engagement and loyalty, making it a cost-effective way for businesses to market themselves. Additionally, with the proper video editing, background music and graphics, drone videos can be an effective way to produce dynamic and engaging content.

Enhancing Drone Video through Editing, Music and Graphics

A finished drone video production can be achieved through professional editing, adding royalty-free background music and graphics such as company logos and contact information. From adding transitions to incorporating soundtracks, the right editing techniques have the potential to turn even the most mundane video into an engaging viewing experience. With a little creativity, you can utilize video editing tools to enhance drone video with captivating graphics and music. For instance, adding a few relevant transitions to move between clips can help ensure a smooth transition and create an immersive experience for the viewer. Additionally, soundtracks and carefully placed music can draw focus to specific parts of the video and add further emotion. As such, these editing techniques have the potential to turn a simple drone video into a captivating cinematic experience.

Music and sound effects can also add to the overall impact of the video, helping create a stronger emotional response from viewers. When used judiciously with other visuals and sound effects, music can help bring out desired emotions or compliment already established tones in the video. Editing the drone video with a perfect blend of music, graphics and sound effects can help create an unforgettable viewing experience for your audience. Music can be used to emphasize certain points or to set the mood for the overall video. Additionally, sound effects are great for adding emphasis on certain visuals or enhancing the scene altogether. Graphics can also be used to further emphasize certain points or draw attention to specific elements in the video. All these elements can come together to create a powerful and immersive viewing experience.

Finally, graphics can be used to create a more immersive experience for viewers, by creating visuals that are reflective of the story being told in the video. Adding text elements or motion graphics helps bring further understanding to what is being presented and provides further context for viewers.  Next, drone video services can be augmented by graphics to create a truly immersive experience. Incorporating motion graphics, text elements, and music can help viewers more deeply understand the story being told. Graphics can also serve to bring a greater level of depth and context to videos, allowing viewers to engage more fully with what they are watching.

To Conclude

In conclusion, businesses of all sizes can benefit greatly from drone videography services.  From improved visibility to cost savings and a unique way to get the job done quickly, drones are becoming an invaluable tool to many businesses. If you're looking to make your business stand out in a crowded market, then investing in a professional drone video production is definitely one of the best decisions out there.

How Drones in Construction Photography Are Changing the Industry

Since August 29, 2016, it has been legal to conduct drone photography for commercial purposes in the United States airspace system under FAA Part 107.  How has this changed the industry, you may ask?  Well, it has had a dramatic impact on both the construction and aerial photography industries.  For general contractors and developers who maintain staff who possess FAA Part 107 licenses, gone are the days of being forced to pay airplane or helicopter-based aerial photographers for monthly construction progress photos.  Now, with some late night studying, successfully passing the FAA’s Part 107 certification exam, and investing just a few thousand dollars for a reasonable quality drone, project stakeholders can get project updates via drone photography on a weekly or even daily basis.  It is critically important, however, that construction professionals who plan to perform their own drone photography obtain the necessary education and certifications from the FAA for any drone photography done for commercial purposes such as documenting construction progress.  There are many online courses available which will get you up to speed in only 15 hours of coursework, but the FAA recommends at least 20 hours of study before taking the exam.  Once you’ve prepared, you can go to any of the FAA authorized testing centers and take the exam.  If you pass, you’ll receive your certificate from the FAA usually within four to six weeks.  If your company has several dozen sites underway in a given market area, it may make sense to have one or two individuals who are responsible for getting licensed and traveling to each job site to perform periodic updates for owners via drone photography, rather than requiring each and every project manager or site superintendent to obtain their FAA Part 107 certification.  

Why does the FAA require that drone operators become certified for commercial drone photography?  Far be it from me to understand the mind of a bureaucrat or a legislator, but the answer most likely has to do with the safety aspect.  There are a number of laws in place that when understood and followed by drone operators, keep people on the ground and in the air safe.  Some of the most important rules are those which keep drones separated from manned aircraft by imposing altitude restrictions on drone operations by way of a geographic grid system, referred to as Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, or “LAANC”.  Within large and small towns alike, many locations are either off limits to drones entirely, or in restricted altitude zones.  By requiring Part 107 certification, the FAA can ensure that all operations in the national airspace system are in compliance with the rules designed to keep the airspace (and surface area below) safe for all.  Since drone photography for commercial purposes became legal, the FAA has enforced its regulations by issuing millions of dollars in fines, indictments, and even jail time for offenders, so make sure that your team is legal before taking your drone photography “in-house”.

Another option for construction progress documentation would be to hire a third party who specializes in commercial drone photography to visit your project site(s) on a periodic basis.  Most often, construction progress photography is performed by licensed and insured professionals who do nothing but perform drone photography and videography.  These specialists drive from site to site, and efficiently perform drone photography, do the photo editing, and send the finished photos via email to the internal distribution list that you provide.

In addition to drone photography, drone-based videography provides a dynamic and exciting medium for showing off your project’s construction progress.  Many of our clients employ us to capture both drone photography and videography with a finished high resolution professionally-edited video complete with background music and graphics, which they use on their social media.

A third option is to go with what is often the most cost-effective choice of hiring a traditional aerial photographer to provide once or twice monthly construction progress photography.  Traditional aerial photography is sometimes not as dynamic as drone photography, but is often the most cost-effective due to the time savings involved.  While it typically costs about twice as much to fly a small airplane per mile than to operate an automobile, a good airplane-based crew can capture four to eight views or your property in about 2-3 minutes and move on to their next location, photographing some 40 sites in any given day.  In drone photography, the photographer must drive to your location, obtain the necessary FAA permissions if necessary, notify nearby airports and helipads, set up the drone, then conduct the drone flight.  Next, the photographer packs-up and moves on to the next site.  On a good day, with light traffic and not too much distance to cover, a photographer may work-in five to seven jobsites.  So, because it is more efficient and cost effective, airplane aerial construction progress photography is often the least costly approach to documenting periodic construction progress.  However, drone photography offers an opportunity for more detailed imagery in addition to capturing stunning high resolution video productions for use by contractors and developers on social media. Call us today at 877-324-2533 for help with your aerial drone videography project.

Why is Aerial Photography Good For Marketing?

Why is aerial photography good for marketing? Quite simply, aerial photography is good for marketing because a picture is worth a thousand words!  Aerial photography will not only show what your property looks like, but it will demonstrate site ingress and egress, proximity to important traffic arteries, proximity to major employers and business districts, proximity to popular entertainment venues, etc.  In the real estate business, everyone knows that the three most important aspects of any property are location, location, and location.  There’s no better way to bring out your property’s unique locational advantages than by supplying potential buyers with a great-looking set of professional aerial photographs.  A good aerial photo will not only highlight your property and its key locational advantages, but it will also support and bring to life the demographics which are so important to property types such as retail, office, and multifamily residential uses.  When listing a commercial property for sale, you need to present potential buyers with historical and projected net operating income statements, demographics, etc., but it's the aerial photos which bring the numbers to life.

Another reason that aerial photography is good for marketing is that your competition will often  have aerial photography in their marketing packages.  With most aerial photographs in Houston starting at just a few hundred dollars, you simply can’t afford to skimp on marketing collateral.  In the event that competing properties are not marketed with aerial photos, your listing can stand out from the competition with a good, professional set of aerial images.  Is it really wise to skimp on marketing collateral for a $1,000,000+ listing just to save a few hundred dollars? 

Another great reason to employ aerial photography in your commercial real estate offering memorandum is that current aerial photographs will demonstrate new development in the area of your listing.  We sell lots of stock aerial imagery on our website, but more often than not, clients ask for a new flight, because often times, aerial images that are even just a few months old will not show important changes to the area, such as road improvements, new school construction nearby, construction progress on a new major employer or retail shopping center nearby, downtown Houston, etc.  All of these factors greatly affect the perceived value and marketability of your real estate listing.  You can “tell” prospective buyers about these key value components, or you can “show” them, using high quality, professional aerial photographs.

Many of the reasons previously listed relate primarily to airplane and helicopter-based aerial photos, which allow the view to show much more of the surrounding area.  These higher altitude images are great for showing important features which may be a couple of miles or more from your property listing, such as the central business district, or a highway intersection.  These higher altitude aerial photos also work best for larger properties, such as large shopping centers, retail shopping malls, or large land tracts which can simply be too large to photograph using a drone.  There are many instances, however, when drone-based aerial images are more appropriate or, at least, a nice complement to the traditional airplane-based aerial images.  For example, for a small property of, say, one acre or less, the airplane-based aerial photos captured from 1,000’ or higher above ground level may do a great job of highlighting key locational advantages of your property (airplanes are typically not allowed to operate below an altitude of 1,000’ above any building or structure.)  However, such a small property may tend to get “swallowed-up” in this type of image.  While we can still use our zoom lenses to get a nice, tight shot of a small property, you may want to consider supplementing the airplane-based aerial photos of your site with some lower-altitude, drone-based images, especially if your property is particularly attractive.  The difference between a close-up of a small property obtained with a long focal-length zoom lens and a wider angle lens captured from a lower altitude is difficult to explain and is best saved for another blog post, but suffice it to say that a low altitude, drone-based image will seem more “alive” because of the wider angle lens that we can use when in closer to the subject in altitude (drones are typically allowed to operate anywhere from ground level up to as high as 400’ in some cases, but not higher.)  The drone-based images will not show nearly the amount of real estate that you’d typically want to show to sell your client on the locational advantages of your site, but will better show the “beauty” of the property.  So, while each of the platforms has its place in terms of providing you with valuable marketing collateral, aerial photography should be a key component of any real estate offering memorandum for a Houston property if you are serious about selling the underlying listing.