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Three Drones That Are Easy To Pilot And Great For Aerial Photography

Get killer vacation photos with a simple-to-use device.

Drones have given us a new perspective on the world, literally. Think about how much drone footage you'll see in a given day. While you may not be shooting the next big Hollywood blockbuster, you can add a lot to your family vacation videos with a drone and have fun while doing it.

S5C WiFi FPV Drone with 720P HD Camera
If you're just getting started with drones, focus on learning how to use it with ease first. | SNAPTAIN

If you're new to drones, focus on ease of use as much as possible. While you may give up a little video quality, the advantage of easy takeoff and landing, and thus the advantage of not stranding your new drone in a tree or dropping it into the lake, is hard to overstate for beginners. Use these drones to both get your piloting skills up to speed and to experiment with what types of drone shooting you like best.

F181W 1080P WiFi FPV Drone with Wide-Angle HD Camera Live Video
Kids can develop two new hobbies at one time. Probably better than their parents! | Holy Stone

Once you've got the piloting down, focus on the footage. Many drones come with a wide-angle lens to cram the most footage onto the sensor, and this can look great for landscapes and for huge shots. For family montages, though, it may feel a bit like overkill until you get the hang of it, but it's easy enough for young photographers to give it a shot. Check out footage shot online to see what you most like as family videographer.

DJI Mavic Mini - Drone FlyCam Quadcopter UAV with 2.7K Camera 3-Axis
As drones get better and more advanced, they also become more compact and convenient. | DJI

Once you're confident both in your flying skills and your shooting, you should upgrade to a drone that offers the best of both. Small and light drones are harder to pilot, but don't require a license in most jurisdictions and can also fold up to come with you, ideal for that perfect shot. Be sure to check the rules on both the jurisdictional level and in the area you plan to use the drone, though; not every state has the same rules on shooting with drones.

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