How to Take Stunning Drone Photos Even If You’re a Complete Beginner

When I took my first drone photo, it was crooked, overexposed, and definitely not what I saw in my head. The location was perfect, the sky was glowing, and yet… the shot looked like it came from a wobbly seagull. But that’s the beauty of drone photography — you don’t have to get it perfect on day one. You just have to start.

Whether you’re flying a DJI Mini 2 SE or something a little fancier, the truth is that great drone photos come down to practice, perspective, and a few simple techniques. You don’t need to be a pro photographer. You don’t need to shoot in manual mode (yet). But you do need to understand what makes a drone photo feel “wow.”

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps I wish I knew earlier — from framing to filters to flying techniques that make your photos pop. These tips are beginner-friendly but powerful enough to transform your next aerial photo session.

1. Master the Art of Composition

Before you worry about camera settings, focus on what’s in the frame. Composition is what separates a boring shot from one that makes people stop scrolling. And the good news? There are simple tricks to make your drone photos instantly more appealing.

The classic “rule of thirds” still applies. Imagine your screen divided into a 3×3 grid — try placing your subject or horizon on those lines instead of dead centre. Leading lines (like roads, rivers, or coastlines) can guide the viewer’s eye, and symmetry from above (like pools, fields, or architecture) adds punch.

Experiment with angles. Don’t just shoot straight down — try 45-degree angles or slightly off-centre compositions. And don’t be afraid of negative space — sometimes the sky, ocean, or desert around your subject gives the image room to breathe.

• Use the rule of thirds for balance and focus
• Look for patterns, shadows, and textures from above
• Mix top-down shots with forward-facing perspectives

Pro Tip: Turn on the grid lines in your drone app — they’ll help you align and frame your shot more intuitively.

2. Shoot During Golden Hour (or Blue Hour)

Lighting is everything in photography, and drone shots are no exception. Harsh midday sun can blow out highlights and flatten your subject. Instead, aim for golden hour (shortly after sunrise or before sunset) when the light is soft, warm, and flattering.

Golden hour light adds depth, enhances colours, and creates long shadows that look epic from above. Blue hour — that dreamy time just before sunrise or just after sunset — also gives your images a cinematic, moody vibe.

If you can’t fly during those times, overcast days work surprisingly well too. The clouds act like a giant diffuser, softening shadows and evening out the light. Just make sure it’s not too windy or wet.

• Golden hour = rich tones, soft light, long shadows
• Blue hour = moody atmosphere, great for silhouettes
• Overcast = soft light, great for subtle textures

Pro Tip: Use apps like Sun Surveyor or PhotoPills to plan your flight around the best light of the day.

3. Use Auto Settings (Until You’re Ready for Manual)

You don’t need to shoot in manual mode to get great results. Auto mode is surprisingly good — especially on newer drones — and lets you focus on framing and movement without getting overwhelmed by settings.

As you get more confident, you can start adjusting things like ISO, shutter speed, and white balance. But for beginners, stick with auto exposure and evaluate your images after the flight. You’ll quickly learn what works and what doesn’t.

Still, if you want a middle ground, switch to manual white balance. It prevents colour shifts between shots and helps maintain consistent tones across your gallery.

• Start with Auto mode while you learn composition and light
• Switch to manual white balance for consistent colour
• Review your footage post-flight to see what needs adjusting

Pro Tip: Avoid high ISO settings — they add noise. Keep ISO at 100–200 whenever possible for the cleanest image.

4. Add Movement and Shadow for Drama

Drone photography isn’t just about pretty views — it’s about perspective. One way to add emotion or drama to a shot is by capturing movement or shadows. Think of waves curling toward shore, a person walking along a trail, or palm trees casting long shadows at sunset.

Even a stationary drone can create a sense of motion by how you frame the shot. Look for repeating patterns, textures in water, or traffic moving along a road. From above, these become design elements that ground your photo in reality — while still feeling almost surreal.

You can also use your own shadow in creative ways. Try flying low during golden hour and capture your drone’s shadow over a field or rock face — it adds scale and tells a story.

• Use long shadows to add depth and interest
• Include movement (waves, trees, people) to create energy
• Capture symmetry or contrast in shadowed areas

Pro Tip: Fly slowly and steadily — small movements allow you to frame evolving light and motion more precisely.

5. Edit Lightly (Or Learn as You Go)

Editing doesn’t mean turning your photo into something unrealistic. It’s about enhancing what’s already there. Even a few quick tweaks can make your image pop — and there are plenty of beginner-friendly apps to help you do it without feeling overwhelmed.

Start with basic adjustments: exposure, contrast, highlights, and shadows. Then play with saturation, vibrance, and clarity — just don’t overdo it. Less is usually more when it comes to editing drone photos.

If you’re not ready for Lightroom or Photoshop, try Snapseed (free) or Lightroom Mobile. As you get more confident, you’ll start recognising what needs adjusting even before you take the shot.

• Edit for balance, not filters — keep the natural vibe
• Watch for blown-out highlights or over-saturated colours
• Use cropping to improve composition after the fact

Pro Tip: Always shoot in JPEG + RAW if your drone supports it — RAW files give you way more flexibility when editing.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not About the Gear. It’s About the Eye.

You don’t need the most expensive drone or the most technical knowledge to take stunning photos. You need curiosity, practice, and a willingness to experiment. Every flight teaches you something — about light, angles, timing, and trust in your own creative instincts.

Start simple. Shoot often. Learn as you go. And when you’re ready to level up, check out some of these helpful guides:

• How to Improve Your Drone Flying Skills
• Best Drone Accessories for Beginners
• How to Get Photos from Drone Video Footage

The sky’s not the limit. It’s the canvas.