While many people enjoy flying drones for personal use, when it comes to flying for commercial photography purposes, you've got to really dot your i's and cross your t's to make sure you start off (and stay) on the right foot. 2016 has been an exciting year in the world of commercial drone use, what with the new FAA regulations, the steps to becoming a small drone pilot, and lots of buzz about new equipment, and with all of that going on, PPA is committed to providing you with the most up-to-date information and resources, so that adding a drone component to your business is as seamless - and profitable - as possible.

If you plan to add a drone to your photography business, you'll definitely want to bookmark the PPAedu drone track, which, like all of the other topics and tutorials packed into the PPAedu library, that help you sharpen your photography techniques, marketing strategies, sales techniques, and business operations, is free for PPA members to access at any time, 24/7.

Check out some of the topics available already, taught by Randy Braun, Director of Product Experience with DJI, and Stacy Garlington, Product Specialist with DJI:

A Brief Introduction to Drones

Instructors: Randy Braun, Stacy Garlington

Randy and Stacy cover the basics of drones, from guidelines to etiquette to how to incorporate drones to leverage your photography business.

Aerial Drone Photography: Where do I Begin?

Instructors: Randy Braun, Stacy Garlington

Randy and Stacy respond to the most frequently asked questions about drone photography. Now is the time to become involved, as this new technology will soon have you soaring above the competition in your marketplace.

Buying Your Drone: What You Need to Know

Instructors: Randy Braun, Stacy Garlington

Buying a drone? Watch the video and learn which features you should be looking for when buying your first drone and how to choose a drone that fits your needs. Key features to look for: price, camera, lens quality, and much more.

Drone Safety, Rules, and Etiquette 

Instructors: Randy Braun, Stacy Garlington

So you want to fly a drone? First learn the safety, rules, and proper flying etiquette before you take flight. Randy and Stacy will discuss the basic safety procedures that go into flying a drone, as well as the FAA flight rules and regulations. 

Drones: Hardware Components & the DJI Go App

Instructors: Randy Braun, Stacy Garlington

Randy and Stacy give a brief overview of the DJI drone hardware components, as well as give a quick tour of the DJI Go App.

Flying Your Drone

Instructors: Randy Braun, Stacy Garlington

Curious about what goes into flying a drone? Watch this episode as Stacy shows you a basic overview of flying a drone from the pre-flight checklist to take-off and landing, as well as basic drone flight terminology. 

Using Drones in Your Photography Business

Instructors: Randy Braun, Stacy Garlington

Join Randy and Stacy as they discuss the added value drones can generate to your photography business. Learn how to broaden your client base and expand your line of services. 

If you're a member of PPA, just log in to watch PPAedu at any time. If you're not a member yet, you can experience one PPAedu video a month at PPA.com/TryEdu, and if that's not enough, join PPA today for full access to all the PPAedu videos! (When you join, you'll also benefit from the dedicated drone community on theLoop! Join today!) 

And if you want an up-close and in-person experience with a drone, be sure to attend Imaging USA 2017! There will be a range of drone classes and exhibitors ready and willing to talk to you about all things drone. So what are you waiting for? Register today! 

About the author :

Bethany Clark manages all things social media for PPA. When she's not living on the internet, she loves writing, sewing, travel, yoga, and of course photography.