After more than 10 years of photographing properties throughout the Berkshires, I’m always looking for ways to grow in the our field. As the lead for property photography and so many homes here surrounded by mountains, lakes, and open land, drone photography felt like a natural next step. What I didn’t realize was how much goes into becoming licensed to fly commercially.

To legally offer drone photography, the FAA requires passing the Part 107 exam at an approved testing center. I scheduled my test at a locked FAA testing facility in West Springfield and gave myself one week to study. The material was far more technical than I expected, covering airspace classifications, sectional chart maps, weather patterns, flight restrictions, airport operations, and federal regulations designed to keep airspace safe. It pushed me to learn an entirely new skillset beyond photography.

In the Berkshires especially, a home’s surroundings are often part of what makes it so meaningful. Mountain views, open land, and proximity to water all contribute to how a space is experienced, and those elements are not always fully visible from the ground. Aerial perspective helps show how a home relates to its setting, giving a clearer understanding of the property before someone ever arrives.

I was reminded how much photography matters when we were searching for our own home in 2021. I almost didn’t schedule a showing because the listing photos were such poor quality that it gave the impression that very little investment or attention had gone into the property itself. Thankfully, we decided to visit anyway, and it turned out to be our dream home. The way a home is presented visually influences how people perceive the level of care behind it long before they ever step through the door. This was something that stuck with me.

Earning my drone license gave me a new appreciation for what goes into doing this work responsibly. What I initially thought would be simple pushed me outside of my comfort zone in the best way, and passing the exam gave me a real sense of pride. It was also a nice reminder that after all if these years, there are still so many ways to learn and opportunities to grow in our field.

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