Drone Photography: How to Use It to Boost Your Listing Click-Throughs

Hey there, it’s your gal Andie

Let’s talk about the scroll. That dreaded moment when a potential buyer breezes past your listing on Zillow, Realtor.com, or the MLS without a second glance. It’s ruthless out there — and you've got maybe 2 seconds to grab their attention.

So what makes someone pause? A twilight edit? Yes. Clean interiors? Definitely. But if you really want to stop the scroll and boost your click-through rate, let me introduce you to one of your secret weapons: drone photography. And before you panic — No, you don’t have to learn how to fly a drone yourself. 

This is where your trusted real estate photographer steps in. But as a Realtor, knowing when and how to request aerial shots, and how to leverage them, is the difference between good marketing and great marketing. So let’s talk strategy and why drone photography is more than just pretty pictures from above.

🚁 What Is Drone Photography (And What’s Your Role in It)?

Drone photography involves capturing high-resolution images or video footage from above using a flying camera — aka a drone. It gives potential buyers a bird’s-eye view of a property’s setting, structure, and surroundings. But here’s the key: you’re not the one flying the drone (unless you’re FAA certified and secretly moonlighting as Maverick). Your photographer or media team handles the actual flight, gear, licensing, and post-production.

Your job as the Realtor? Know when aerial visuals will:

• Highlight key features

• Tell a stronger story

• Increase visual engagement

• And ultimately get more clicks, more eyes, and more showings.

Let’s explore how that works.

📈 Why Drone Photos Boost Click-Throughs

Here’s the tea: buyers don’t just want to see inside a home anymore — they want to see the whole picture. And drone shots deliver exactly that.

Just look at the stats:

• MLS data shows that listings with aerial photography sell 68% faster than those without.

• Properties with drone photos receive 94% more views.

• According to NAR, 73% of homeowners say they’re more likely to list with an agent who uses video — and most of that video today includes aerial footage.

Drone photos don’t just make a listing look good — they offer spatial context. They help buyers understand:

• Where the home sits on the lot

• How the landscaping is laid out

• What the neighborhood feels like

• Proximity to parks, lakes, or amenities

It’s the difference between saying “large backyard” and showing it from 100 feet in the air with golden-hour lighting and glowing string lights across the patio.

How to Use Drone Shots Strategically

Now that you’re sold on the why, let’s talk about the how. Because throwing in a drone photo just to have one? Meh.Using drone photography with purpose? That’s where the magic happens.

1. Lead With It (When It Makes Sense)

If the property has curb appeal from above, make that aerial shot your hero image on the MLS or marketing materials.

Drone leads work well for:

• Homes on corner lots

• Properties with pools or outdoor entertaining spaces

• Rural acreage or equestrian properties

• Waterfront homes

• Unique rooflines or architecture

🎯 Pro Tip: Ask your photographer to shoot at golden hour — that soft, dreamy light flatters everything.

2. Use Drone Footage to Tell a Lifestyle Story

Don’t just show the property — sell the feeling of living there.

Use aerial footage to highlight:

• Morning sun hitting the porch

• A path to a nearby walking trail

• Distance to a school, park, or lake

• The privacy of a wooded lot

This is where video really shines. Ask your media team for a drone fly-over video clip that complements your listing photos and adds emotional pull.

3. Add Captions or Text Callouts

Buyers may not always know what they’re looking at from above. Work with your photographer or editor to include tasteful labels like:“Community Pool” → “Detached Garage” → “Walking Distance to Downtown”

These little callouts help the viewer quickly understand the selling points and stay engaged longer.

🏡 When Drone Photography Makes a Real Difference

While drone visuals are powerful, sometimes they're more effective than others. We (almost) always recommend drone shots so here’s how to know when it's a good idea and when it's a MUST:

✅ Always a Good Idea:

• The property is tightly surrounded by less appealing visuals (think power lines, dumpsters, or overgrown neighbors)

• The roof or exterior has visible damage or wear

• The home’s positioning doesn’t translate well from above (some older homes with tight lots can look less flattering)

💕 The Must List:

• The property is on a large or unique lot

• There are amenities nearby that add value (parks, trails, schools)

• The home has significant outdoor features (pools, gardens, patios)

• It’s a luxury listing and you want high-end marketing

• The neighborhood setting enhances appeal (tree-lined streets, corner positioning, water access)

And before you say it, we've heard it before- sometimes there's not the best scenery around... There are things that a talented editor can do like a "Property Highlight" picture to darken the undesirable neighboring homes.

Also, don't shy away if there's roof damage- that may be something you want to call out. If it can be seen in a picture, it'll be found by any average-joe inspector so you're not really hiding anything, in fact you may even get more for the house than you'd lose in an inspection adjustment. We always talk about how your pictures build your brand.

📱 Reuse Aerial Content for Marketing Magic

Drone photos and video aren’t just for the MLS. Here’s how savvy Realtors are stretching their investment across multiple platforms:

• Instagram Reels: Use a 10–15 second drone clip as a teaser

• Facebook Ads: Showcase the setting of the property with text overlays

• YouTube Shorts: Pair drone video with upbeat music and listing info

• Property Websites: Use drone footage as a background header

• Email Campaigns: Include a screenshot of a drone shot with a “View Video” button

🧠 Quick Tips for Working With Your Photographer

If you want drone shots done well, communication is everything. Here’s how to get the most out of your aerial session:

✅ Schedule with Lighting in Mind

Golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset) is ideal for warm, flattering shots. Let your photographer know what kind of “feel” you want — elegant, cozy, dramatic, etc.

✅ Share What You Want to Highlight

Is the backyard the real selling point? Or is the home near something walkable? Let your photographer know ahead of time so they can prioritize those angles and elevations.

✅ Bundle Services When Possible

Ask your media team if they offer aerial photo and video packages. Combining services is often more cost-effective and gives you a full suite of marketing assets to use across platforms.

Why Benaiah Studios Is Your Listing’s Best Wingman

At Benaiah Studios, drone photography isn’t just an add-on — it’s part of our storytelling process.

We work closely with Realtors to:

• Choose the right time and lighting

• Capture strategic angles that sell the experience

• Edit footage with clean, compelling visuals

• Provide formats you can use everywhere (MLS, Instagram, email, video walkthroughs)

Whether it’s a waterfront listing, a suburban gem, or a sprawling estate, we help you create aerial content that sparks emotion — and clicks.

Final Thoughts: Your Listing Deserves the Spotlight

Drone photography isn’t about being fancy. It’s about being smart.

In a market flooded with listings, a well-executed aerial shot gives your property a chance to shine — to stand out in a sea of sameness. And the best part? You don’t have to do it yourself. Partner with the right photographer, ask the right questions, and use the visuals strategically — and you’ll see the difference not just in clicks, but in conversations, showings, and offers. Let’s take your next listing from “just listed” to “just sold” — from the sky down.

Here’s to another How-To journey together,

forever thankful,

Andie 💋