HOW TO HIRE · PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO

How to hire a drone photography in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

A drone photography in Ireland costs €150–€800 per shoot, typically around €350. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a drone photography in five steps

  1. Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers drone photography work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — promotional Videos — many businesses utilize drone footage in promotional videos to enhance their marketing efforts.
  2. How does complexity of the shoot change the price?A one-off design has no shortcuts to borrow from. — ask before the quote rather than after.
  3. How does duration change the price?A quick job still has a minimum charge attached. — ask before the quote rather than after.
  4. How does type of equipment used change the price?What is used up on the job is charged whether or not it is all needed. — ask before the quote rather than after.
  5. What is not included?Property Inspections — drone photography is beneficial for inspecting hard-to-reach areas of properties, such as rooftops or large estates — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a drone photography job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

No licence or register applies to photographers in Ireland. The protection is the contract, and copyright law decides who owns the pictures.

Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.

What to check instead

A full wedding or event gallery, start to finish — not a portfolio of best frames from many jobs; Who actually shoots: the person you met, a second shooter, or an associate; The contract: date, hours, deliverables, delivery time, cancellation, and what happens if they are ill; The backup: two cameras, two card slots, where the files live until delivery; Public liability insurance, which many venues require of suppliers.

Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.

Who owns the pictures

The photographer is the author and first owner of copyright in the photographs unless the contract assigns it. What you normally buy is a licence to use the images, not the copyright. If you need to print, publish or supply them to a magazine, the licence has to say so. (Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000.)

Settle it in the contract before the day: what you may print, post and give to family, and for how long.

Insurance

Expect public liability, and equipment cover; venues often ask for the certificate. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.

Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.

VAT

VAT at 13.5%, the reduced rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.

Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →

“Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?”

A good answer: No register covers drone photography work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — promotional Videos — many businesses utilize drone footage in promotional videos to enhance their marketing efforts.

“How does complexity of the shoot change the price?”

A good answer: A one-off design has no shortcuts to borrow from. — ask before the quote rather than after.

“How does duration change the price?”

A good answer: A quick job still has a minimum charge attached. — ask before the quote rather than after.

“How does type of equipment used change the price?”

A good answer: What is used up on the job is charged whether or not it is all needed. — ask before the quote rather than after.

“What is not included?”

A good answer: Property Inspections — drone photography is beneficial for inspecting hard-to-reach areas of properties, such as rooftops or large estates — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a drone photography job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.

“Who insures you, and what is the policy number?”

A good answer: Expect public liability, and equipment cover; venues often ask for the certificate — event Coverage — drones are increasingly used to document events such as weddings, festivals, and sports.

“What do I get in writing, and when?”

A good answer: A written scope and a price before the drone photography starts, and an itemised invoice after — aerial Landscape Shots — drone photography captures stunning aerial views of landscapes, showcasing natural beauty from unique angles.

Getting the quote right

  • Complexity of the shoot — a one-off design has no shortcuts to borrow from.
  • Duration — a quick job still has a minimum charge attached.
  • Type of equipment used — what is used up on the job is charged whether or not it is all needed.
  • Complexity of the project — a fiddly job needs more care and more skill than a straightforward one.
  • In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
  • What is NOT included, named
  • Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
  • The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register

Walk away if

  • They will not talk about it: complexity of the shoot — a one-off design has no shortcuts to borrow from
  • They will not talk about it: duration — a quick job still has a minimum charge attached
  • They will not talk about it: type of equipment used — what is used up on the job is charged whether or not it is all needed
  • A price for the drone photography before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
  • Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
  • No written quote, or one that moves once the drone photography has begun
LOW
€150
TYPICAL
€350
HIGH
€800

What a drone photography costs: €150–€800 per shoot

The figures are for the job, per shoot, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Real estate photography and Event coverage each carry their own band. Drone Photography price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Drone photographys near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you.

  1. Look firstComplexity of the shoot — a one-off design has no shortcuts to borrow from — that is what the drone photography is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
  2. Agree what is being doneDuration — a quick job still has a minimum charge attached — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
  3. The work itselfType of equipment used — what is used up on the job is charged whether or not it is all needed — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
  4. Check it togetherComplexity of the project — a fiddly job needs more care and more skill than a straightforward one — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the drone photography is still there.
  5. What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, safety is paramount; the operator should conduct a risk assessment before flying.

Aerial Landscape Shots
Drone photography captures stunning aerial views of landscapes, showcasing natural beauty from unique angles.
Event Coverage
Drones are increasingly used to document events such as weddings, festivals, and sports.
Property Inspections
Drone photography is beneficial for inspecting hard-to-reach areas of properties, such as rooftops or large estates.
Promotional Videos
Many businesses utilize drone footage in promotional videos to enhance their marketing efforts.
Real Estate Photography
Capturing aerial images and videos of properties to enhance listings and attract potential buyers.
Land Surveying
Using drones to gather data and imagery for land assessment, planning, or development projects.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the invoice and the paperworkAn itemised invoice with the trader's name, the work and the total — promotional Videos — many businesses utilize drone footage in promotional videos to enhance their marketing efforts, because it is what a buyer's solicitor, an insurer or a lender asks for long after the drone photography has gone.
Test what was doneProperty Inspections — drone photography is beneficial for inspecting hard-to-reach areas of properties, such as rooftops or large estates — and something that does not work on the day is theirs to put right there and then.
Ask what the guarantee isOn the workmanship and on the parts, and for how long each one runs — they are usually different. event Coverage — drones are increasingly used to document events such as weddings, festivals, and sports — under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 what was agreed is what can be relied on.
Leave the reviewOnly a booked job can be reviewed on Locufy, which is why the score on a drone photography's card means something — aerial Landscape Shots — drone photography captures stunning aerial views of landscapes, showcasing natural beauty from unique angles.

STEP 1Say it in writing, firstSay what is wrong and what you want done. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 the work must be carried out with reasonable skill and care, and defective work put right.
STEP 2Use the make-it-right step on LocufyUnder four stars you are asked whether to send it to the provider first; we follow it through. Then review.
STEP 3Escalate to the body that regulates itThere is no register, so the route is the consumer body and, if needed, the courts.
STEP 4Small claimsSmall claims covers €2,000, once you have asked in writing and given them a chance to put it right.

Hiring a drone photography: questions people ask

The cost of drone photography can vary based on several factors, including the complexity of the shoot, the duration, and the type of equipment used. Additionally, if you require post-processing or edited videos, this can also affect the overall price.

A typical drone photography session can last anywhere from one to three hours, depending on the scope of the project. Factors like location, weather conditions, and the number of shots required can influence the duration.

Yes, many drone photographers offer package deals for multiple related jobs, such as event coverage and promotional videos. Discussing your needs upfront can help you secure a better rate and streamline the process.

Drone photography generally does not include services like extensive video editing or ground photography unless specified in the contract. Additionally, any specialised inspections that require professional qualifications, such as structural assessments, may be out of scope.

No licence or register applies to photographers in Ireland. The protection is the contract, and copyright law decides who owns the pictures.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 the work must be carried out with reasonable skill and care, and put right if it is not. Say what is wrong in writing first.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in photography & video

How to hire: Wedding PhotographerHow to hire: Event PhotographerHow to hire: Portrait PhotographerHow to hire: Newborn PhotographerHow to hire: Family PhotographerHow to hire: Pet PhotographerHow to hire: Product PhotographerHow to hire: Property PhotographerAll 701 hiring guides →

Drone photographys near you

Drone photographys in DublinDrone photographys in CorkDrone photographys in GalwayDrone photographys in LimerickAll drone photographys on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000
  2. CCPC — your rights when you buy a service
  3. Consumer Rights Act 2022
  4. Courts Service — small claims
  5. Revenue — PHOTOGRAPHY (Wedding and Portrait) — Reduced rate
  6. Revenue — current VAT rates (effective 1 January 2026)
  7. Revenue — VAT thresholds: €42,500 for a person supplying services only