Photography Invoice Template

Free Aerial Photographer Invoice Template

Invoice clients for drone photography, aerial surveys, and commercial aerial imagery. Get paid on time with Tidybill.

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What is an Aerial Photographer invoice?

An aerial photographer invoice covers fees for capturing images and video from above using drones or aircraft. Commercial aerial photography requires CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) certification in the UK — specifically a GVC (General Visual Line of Sight Certificate) or equivalent Operational Authorisation. Clients span real estate and property development, construction and surveying, agriculture, infrastructure inspection, events, and media production. Aerial photography projects often require pre-flight planning, airspace authorisation, and weather-dependent scheduling, all of which should be factored into pricing. Because aerial work carries regulatory and liability considerations, professional operators should clearly state their certifications and insurance on invoices and contracts.

What to include on an Aerial Photographer invoice

Common aerial photographer invoice line items

Service Typical Rate Unit
Aerial Photography (half-day, stills) £250 - £600 per half-day
Aerial Photography (full-day, stills + video) £450 - £1,000 per day
Aerial Survey / Mapping (per hectare) £30 - £100 per hectare
Video Editing & Grade £80 - £200 per hour
Airspace Authorisation Fee At cost per application
Travel & Mobilisation 45p per mile per mile

How to invoice as an aerial photographer

Invoice after the shoot with Net 14 terms for most commercial clients. For large infrastructure or survey projects, milestone invoicing (mobilisation, survey completion, data delivery) is appropriate. Pass through airspace authorisation fees at actual cost. For weather-dependent shoots that are rescheduled, communicate rescheduling costs clearly in your terms — repeated postponements consume planning time that should be compensated. Include your CAA Operator ID and insurance details on your contract.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need special certification to do commercial drone photography in the UK?
Yes. For commercial drone operations in the UK, you must register as a drone operator with the CAA and hold an appropriate Operational Authorisation (or work within the open category sub-categories). For operations near people, structures, or controlled airspace, a GVC or equivalent is typically required. Carry your documentation on every job.
How do I handle weather-related cancellations?
Include a weather cancellation and rescheduling policy in your contract. A mobilisation or planning fee for cancelled shoots is reasonable if significant prep work has been done. For shoots cancelled on the day due to weather, rescheduling at no extra charge is typically fair for simple single-location shoots, but for complex mobilisations a rescheduling fee is justified.
Can I fly drones in any location for client work?
No. Commercial drone operations near airports, military airfields, populated areas, and certain infrastructure require specific airspace authorisation. Always check NATS and the CAA drone map before quoting a job, as obtaining authorisation may add to lead time and cost. Include authorisation fees in your quote.
How do I invoice for an aerial survey project?
Aerial survey work is often priced per hectare of area covered, with a mobilisation day rate and a data processing fee for generating orthomaps, point clouds, or reports. Invoice the mobilisation on the day of flight and the data processing on delivery of the processed data.
What insurance do I need for commercial aerial photography?
Public liability insurance covering drone operations to a minimum of £1 million (and typically £5 million for commercial clients) is required. Many clients will ask for a certificate of insurance before allowing you to operate on their site. Note your insurance level on your contract and invoice.
Can I use this template for free?
Yes. Tidybill's free plan lets you create up to 5 invoices per month at no cost, with no credit card required. You can use the Aerial Photographer invoice template straight away after signing up.