Just passed my Part 107 exam last month and landed my first real estate photography gig! The client wants aerial shots of a residential property and some basic video footage. I'm not sure what to charge since I'm brand new to this. What are reasonable rates for someone just starting out? I have a DJI Air 2S and basic editing skills. Any advice would be appreciated - don't want to lowball myself but also don't want to scare away clients.

Congrats on passing Part 107! For entry-level real estate work, I'd suggest starting around $150-200 for basic packages. Most drone pilots charge $150-400 per hour depending on experience. Since you're new, price competitively but don't go too low - it devalues the whole industry.

I'm in the same boat - just got certified 3 months ago! I started at $175 for basic real estate packages and have gradually increased to $225 as I got more confident. Don't forget to factor in travel time and editing! That's easily 2-3 hours total for what seems like a quick shoot.

Make sure you have proper insurance before taking any paid work - it's not optional for commercial operations. Most pilots carry $1,000,000 coverage which runs about $1,000-2,000 annually. Also research your local competition to see what others are charging in your area.