Photography Invoice Template

Free Drone Photographer Invoice Template

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

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What is a Drone Photographer invoice?

A drone photographer invoice is used by certified drone operators to bill clients for aerial imagery, video footage, and survey data captured using unmanned aerial vehicles. Drone photography clients include estate agents, construction companies, event organisers, media production companies, farmers, and local authorities. Pricing is typically based on half-day or full-day rates, with post-production editing charged separately. Drone work often requires scheduling around weather windows and airspace availability, which means flexibility in scheduling is important for both the operator and the client. A professional invoice should reference CAA certification and insurance to reassure clients of the operator's legitimacy.

What to include on a Drone Photographer invoice

Common drone photographer invoice line items

Service Typical Rate Unit
Drone Photography Package (1-2 hours) £150 - £400 per session
Drone Video (half-day) £250 - £600 per half-day
Drone Video Editing £60 - £150 per hour
Construction Site Progress Monitoring £200 - £500 per visit
Aerial Mapping / Survey £300 - £800 per project
Raw Footage File Delivery £50 - £150 per project

How to invoice as a drone photographer

Invoice promptly after the shoot with Net 14 terms. For construction monitoring or regular site progress photography, invoice monthly for the month's visits. Include your CAA Operator ID and note your insurance level on contracts and invoices. For projects requiring specific airspace authorisations, advise the client of lead time requirements and include any authorisation fees as a pass-through line item.

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Frequently asked questions

How is drone photography priced compared to ground-level photography?
Drone photography typically commands a premium over ground-level photography due to the specialist equipment, certification requirements, and planning involved. A drone shoot can cost 30-50% more than an equivalent ground shoot. The premium reflects value to the client, not just equipment cost.
What do I do if weather prevents the shoot on the agreed day?
Include a rescheduling policy in your contract. Most clients understand weather-dependent postponements. Reschedule at no charge for weather-related delays; charge a rescheduling fee for client-initiated postponements. If you have incurred airspace authorisation costs, these should be covered by the client regardless of the rescheduling reason.
Do I need client permission to fly over their property?
For operations over or near structures on private land, you should obtain landowner permission and ensure airspace authorisation. For construction clients who have hired you, this is straightforward. For speculative commercial photography (e.g. unsolicited aerial property shots), you need explicit permission before flying.
Can I sell drone footage to multiple clients or stock platforms?
Only if there is no exclusivity clause in your original commission agreement. Generic aerial footage (landscapes, coastlines) can be licensed non-exclusively to stock platforms. Footage of specific properties, infrastructure, or branded content should not be resold without the original client's written consent.
How do I handle night-time or BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) shoots?
Night operations and BVLOS require specific regulatory authorisation beyond a standard operational authorisation. These are specialist services that command significantly higher fees. Obtain the necessary permissions and note them on your invoice to justify the premium to the client.
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 Drone Photographer invoice template straight away after signing up.