Photographing churches - A little help please

[TxMavPro2017]

I have a question surrounding the aerial photographing of churches. Over the years (and as a hobby), I have photographed likely hundreds (if not 1000's) of churches. All with permission from each church and all without compensation. Moreover, in the vast majority of instances, I would - as a gesture of thanks for allowing me to photograph - email the church a few images in turn.

My question is this, given the scenario above - and applying it to drones - would I now need to acquire a 107 to do the same thing from the sky? I want to be in compliance but am unclear as to whether 107 applies in this instance given as I am not charging nor accepting compensation for said imagery.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[BigAl07]

INTENT of the flight is what matters. If you are photographing for your own pleasure then you're good to go. If you want to donate them after the fact you're GOLDEN and doing a good thing.

However, if you fly with the intent to give them to the church that might be another can of worms but in reality so long as no incident happens and no one complains to the FAA odds are you wouldn't come under their radar anyway.

Just fly for fun and if you happen to capture some pics they like donate them to the cause and call it a day.

 

[TxMavPro2017]

INTENT of the flight is what matters. If you are photographing for your own pleasure then you're good to go. If you want to donate them after the fact you're GOLDEN and doing a good thing.

However, if you fly with the intent to give them to the church that might be another can of worms but in reality so long as no incident happens and no one complains to the FAA odds are you wouldn't come under their radar anyway.

Just fly for fun and if you happen to capture some pics they like donate them to the cause and call it a day.

Appreciate the response.

 

[BigAl07]

Appreciate the response.

My pleasure. Just keep in mind this is merely my opinion and not legal advice. With that being said, it's a fairly sound opinion

 

[TxMavPro2017]

My pleasure. Just keep in mind this is merely my opinion and not legal advice. With that being said, it's a fairly sound opinion

Understood. I'm crazy new to drones and was hooked with my very first flight. It started out with my wife gifting me a DJI Spark a little over a month ago. Needless to say, since then, I've acquired a Mavic Pro and a Phantom 4 Pro Obsidian. Yeah, I'm hooked! lol

 

[BigAl07]

Welcome to the addiction

 

[Crocket1158]

 

[TxMavPro2017]

View attachment 24883

Sweet!

 

[Dabrain]

"(and as a hobby), all without compensation". Pretty much fits the definition of FAA guideline 336. Excerpt from 336 To provide guidance, the following are examples of flights that could be conducted as hobby or recreation flights and other types of flights that would not be hobby or recreation. Hobby or recreation: Taking photographs with a model aircraft for personal use. Not hobby or recreation, A realtor using a model aircraft to photograph a property that he is trying to sell and using the photos in the property’s real estate listing. A person photographing a property or event and selling the photos to someone else. I would say you are "poster child" of Hobby and recreation flyer. Nice picture TxMavPro2017. Going to guess Texas church.

 

[Qoncussion]

I shot this a few years ago with a Phantom 2 ~ with the full cooperation of the church, which had just undergone a million dollar renovation. After a first edit, the church's Monsignor met with the church council, and a bunch of issues came up. I don't remember what their issues were, but as with any situation where a committee meets, they suddenly took issue with the video, and wanted to request changes. I explained to the Monsignor that this was not shot for their benefit, nor was I seeking further approval. They really made a mess of a situation, over which they had no say. So, while church politics got in the way, the flight and its intent was for my use, not theirs. The Monsignor later apologized and thanked me, once he understood that he and the council were not overseeing this project. It was mine and mine alone... So don't forget your original intent by succumbing to the wayward desires of others who thought they could make commercial use of your work.

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