Getting Experience and Paid Work

[BrendanSF]

Hi Folks,

I am a newbie here so apologies if this has been answered previously. I received Mavic Pro Platinum for Xmas, studied for my Part 107 and passed the test in February. I have been recreationally flying nearly everyday since getting the MPP. I would now like to put my 107 to use and have filled out a bunch of "applications" online for contract work but haven't received a single reply. What gives?

• Disorganized companies?
• I lack pro experience?
• No work in the SF Bay Area?

How does someone get experience if nobody will hire you to get experience? Feels like a chicken and egg situation. Any advice would be most appreciated. Thanks!

 

[brett8883]

Watching

 

[Mossiback]

To start with I suggest you look up videos of the type you would like to produce. If you feel you can compete, I suggest you build a website that shows many samples of your work and capabilities. Then reference your site in future applications. It wouldn't be much of an expense except for your time. You may be surprised to find how much effort and time it takes to produce high quality work.

Regarding the Bay area, you will also need to verify whether a waver is needed to fly at a work location. There are at least 8 airports in the bay area plus seaplane bases and helipads that you will need to consider.

 

[dmcgrew]

I am going through the same thing you are right now, @BrendanSF.

I passed my 107 about 2 weeks ago and have a pretty minimal website put together so far. What I'm planning to do this weekend is just go shoot a bunch of stuff on my own terms. I don't need to be hired for anything to build my own portfolio. I would like to get into residential real-estate since the area where I live is absolutely booming with new developments but flying over someone's house and using it as a portfolio piece probably isn't cool, so I'm probably going to just do my own house.

I'm also going to fly near some schools (on the weekend) and some large office buildings/complexes/facilities and get some shots to use on my website.

Once I have some good stuff on my website I'm going to set up a Facebook page and do some advertising to target realtors in the area.

 

[brett8883]

I am going through the same thing you are right now, @BrendanSF.

I passed my 107 about 2 weeks ago and have a pretty minimal website put together so far. What I'm planning to do this weekend is just go shoot a bunch of stuff on my own terms. I don't need to be hired for anything to build my own portfolio. I would like to get into residential real-estate since the area where I live is absolutely booming with new developments but flying over someone's house and using it as a portfolio piece probably isn't cool, so I'm probably going to just do my own house.

I'm also going to fly near some schools (on the weekend) and some large office buildings/complexes/facilities and get some shots to use on my website.

Once I have some good stuff on my website I'm going to set up a Facebook page and do some advertising to target realtors in the area.

That’s really good advice!

I think I may suggest, and I could be wrong about this, perhaps reconsidering filming a school. I wonder if there are just better building to record? Even if filming on the weekend I wonder if it just kinda rubs people the wrong way who don’t know you and don’t know you have good intentions if you have up photos and videos of a school?

I just wonder if the same exact desired result can be achieved while avoiding the possibility of a few raised eyebrows altogether? I wonder if others feel differently about it, I’m open to feedback on this.

 

[dmcgrew]

That’s really good advice!

I think I may suggest, and I could be wrong about this, perhaps reconsidering filming a school. I wonder if there are just better building to record? Even if filming on the weekend I wonder if it just kinda rubs people the wrong way who don’t know you and don’t know you have good intentions if you have up photos and videos of a school?

I just wonder if the same exact desired result can be achieved while avoiding the possibility of a few raised eyebrows altogether? I wonder if others feel differently about it, I’m open to feedback on this.

I really don't think anyone would care.. especially on a weekend. I can't imagine anyone would have a problem with an aerial photo of a school.. anyone can get an aerial image on Google Maps anyway I am totally open to any reasoning why I shouldn't do it though.

 

[JakeRobinson]

I am going through the same thing you are right now, @BrendanSF.

I passed my 107 about 2 weeks ago and have a pretty minimal website put together so far. What I'm planning to do this weekend is just go shoot a bunch of stuff on my own terms. I don't need to be hired for anything to build my own portfolio. I would like to get into residential real-estate since the area where I live is absolutely booming with new developments but flying over someone's house and using it as a portfolio piece probably isn't cool, so I'm probably going to just do my own house.

I'm also going to fly near some schools (on the weekend) and some large office buildings/complexes/facilities and get some shots to use on my website.

Once I have some good stuff on my website I'm going to set up a Facebook page and do some advertising to target realtors in the area.

You might look up a couple of realtors and offer to make a free video to "test you out" and if they like your work maybe you could get repeat paying gigs... plus you build your portfolio with "paying gigs."

Another way would be to find some FISBOs (for sale by owners) and give them a deeply cut-rate price to make a video they can use... maybe $50 to $100 - let them know you are building your portfolio and they will be getting a killer deal.

I read from somewhere to find "mediocre" videos other agents have paid for and recreate some of the shots to show them how your talent blows their crappy videos out of the water...

If your work is good it won't take long to graduate from free/low-cost offers to premium gigs.

 

[AMann]

Hi Folks,

I am a newbie here so apologies if this has been answered previously. I received Mavic Pro Platinum for Xmas, studied for my Part 107 and passed the test in February. I have been recreationally flying nearly everyday since getting the MPP. I would now like to put my 107 to use and have filled out a bunch of "applications" online for contract work but haven't received a single reply. What gives?

• Disorganized companies?
• I lack pro experience?
• No work in the SF Bay Area?

How does someone get experience if nobody will hire you to get experience? Feels like a chicken and egg situation. Any advice would be most appreciated. Thanks!

First of all, why limit yourself to just aerial photography with your drone? Mavric’s when handheld make great gimbal cameras as well. So offer an entire realty video package rather than just a few aerials. Get some demo’s under your belt like these

Real Estate Aerial Photography and Video Techniques Links

Feel free to add more links if interested - here's a great one I just found: Real Estate Drone Photography & Video Guide 2019 Also check out these examples: Top 25 Real Estate Video Marketing Examples from the Pros

mavicpilots.com

and you will be a shoe-in for high-end work, especially in the Bay Area! Where I live, realtors are too cheap to buy drone photography to make it a profit., the cost of housing here is just too low. But the Bay Area? Oh man!