With the advent of commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or more commonly known as drones, aerial photography has become more and more accessible. The unique perspectives a drone provides expands on the level of storytelling that can happen in a film. Shots once only possible with larger dollies and cranes can be easily replicated with a simple drone on a budget. This completely opens up the possibilities when it comes to capturing your wedding day.
We wanted to list out a couple of ways that we have utilized a drone in wedding films. This is in no way an exhaustive list as we are always pushing the envelope by looking for new and creative ways to tell your story.
Establishing Your Story
Capturing your wedding venue and its location is huge to setting the stage for your wedding film. Especially in Hawaiʻi where your wedding day backdrop are beautiful mountains and white sandy beaches.
Changing Your Perspective
A shot of the bride and groom alone on a beach is a very romantic scene. But if you were to take that exact same shot and pull it back, it can change the entire shot. Now the bride and groom aren't alone in a close romantic setting, they are the only ones on the beach. Both are equally beautiful, but each tells a different part of the story.
Highlighting Your Focus
Sometimes there are objects or locations that you may want to bring attention to without detracting from the bride and groom. Long tracking-panning shots can draw attention to a beautiful backdrop while keeping the main subject, the bride and groom, in focus. Just another way to add a bit of flair to your story.
Rules and Regulations
Now that you are all set to incorporate aerial photography into your wedding film, there are few items that you will want to consider before your wedding day. Drones are subject to FAA regulations and you will want to ensure that your wedding videography/cinematography team are meet these few criteria. (please note that these regulations are continually being updated and may differ depending on when you are reading this article)
CERtification
All commercial drone pilots are required to be at least 16 years old and hold a Remote Pilot Airman Certification. This requirement applies to all commercial uses of a drone.
Permission
There are regulations to certain areas where a drone can and cannot fly. Then there are common courtesy guidelines for usage of a drone in other areas. Make sure you consider your venue and the permissions you may need to obtain before flying.
Insurance
While some venues are a little relaxed when it comes to liability insurance, you may want to consider if your wedding videography/cinematography team is insured. Flying a drone is a liability and can be dangerous. You will want to ensure that all parties, including yourself, are protected and covered.
Don't be intimidated by the regulations surrounding aerial photography. But you also don't want to take any of it for granted. Our team is continually pushing the envelope when it comes to creative ways to tell your wedding day story. We would love the opportunity to sit down and discuss with you the many ways we can incorporate a drone into your wedding day.
