Anyone can buy a drone. Not everyone flying one for a paying client is doing so legally. That gap matters more than most people realize when they’re hiring someone for a wedding, event, or real estate shoot — and it’s worth understanding before you book.
What Part 107 Actually Is
FAA Part 107 is the federal certification required to legally fly a drone for commercial purposes in the United States — meaning any flight tied to a paid job, including photography and videography. Getting certified means passing an FAA knowledge test covering airspace regulations, weather, and safe operation. Flying commercially without it isn’t a gray area; it’s a violation of federal aviation regulations.
Why That Matters to You as the Client
Legal exposure isn’t just the pilot’s problem. If a shoot happens on your property, at your event, or for your listing, an uncertified operator creates risk that can extend to you as the person who hired them.
- Insurance. Commercial drone insurance generally requires the pilot to hold a Part 107 certificate. An uninsured, uncertified operator means any damage or incident during the shoot likely isn’t covered by anyone.
- Airspace knowledge. This is especially relevant in the Rockville and DC metro area, where parts of the region fall under federal flight restrictions. A certified pilot knows how to check for those restrictions and, where needed, secure authorization — an uncertified hobbyist typically doesn’t.
- Quality and professionalism tend to track together. It’s not a guarantee, but a photographer who has invested in proper certification is generally further along the professionalism curve than one who hasn’t.
A Combination Worth Knowing About
Beyond the Part 107 certification itself, it’s worth knowing who’s actually flying. AJ Murch Photography is built around exactly this kind of credential: FAA Part 107 certified, and a retired Air Force pilot — meaning the aerial work isn’t a side skill bolted onto a photography business, it’s led by someone with a career’s worth of flight experience behind the camera.
FAQ
How can I tell if a drone photographer is actually certified? You can ask directly for their Part 107 certificate number, or check the FAA’s public certificate registry.
Does certification affect image quality? Not directly — certification covers legal and safety knowledge, not photography skill. But the two often go together in photographers who treat the work as a serious commercial practice.
Do I need to grant any permission for a drone shoot on my property? In most cases property owner permission is straightforward, but if the shoot is happening somewhere with added restrictions, that’s exactly the kind of detail a certified pilot will flag ahead of time rather than finding out on-site.
Work With a Certified Pilot
Get in touch through the Start a Project form or call (240) 801-7045 to talk through your project.