Frequently Asked Questions | One Two Shoot Media

Pricing & Quotes

How much does drone photography cost on the Gold Coast?

Our aerial photography packages start from around $350 for a basic property shoot and go up depending on scope, location, and deliverables. A real estate shoot with edited stills and a short video typically runs $500–$800. Large commercial jobs like construction progress monitoring or multi-day event coverage are quoted individually. I always provide a fixed quote upfront after understanding what you need, with no hidden charges.

Do you charge travel fees for jobs outside the Gold Coast?

For jobs within the Gold Coast, Brisbane. Travel is usually included in the quote. For locations further afield, like regional Queensland or interstate, I add a travel component based on distance and whether an overnight stay is needed. I've completed drone projects all over Australia, so distance is never a dealbreaker.

What's included in a standard drone photography package?

A standard package includes pre-flight planning, CASA-compliant flight operations, RAW and edited high-resolution stills, and a short edited video if requested. I handle all airspace approvals, risk assessments, and site safety. You receive final files within 3–5 business days, delivered via cloud link in formats ready for web, print, or social media.

How far in advance should I book a drone shoot?

For real estate and small commercial jobs, 3–5 business days' notice is usually enough. Larger projects like construction monitoring schedules or event coverage should be booked 2–4 weeks ahead to lock in dates and handle any airspace approvals. If you're in a rush, get in touch. I can sometimes fit in last-minute jobs depending on my schedule and weather conditions.

Regulations & Safety

Are you licensed to fly drones commercially in Australia?

Yes. I hold a CASA Remote Pilot Licence (RePL) and operate under a Remote Operator Certificate (ReOC), which are the two certifications required for commercial drone operations in Australia. I also hold an Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate (AROC) for controlled airspace communication, EVLOS Class 1 for extended visual line of sight operations, populous area exemptions, plus approvals for night operations and flights over non-participants (OONP).

Can you fly drones at night on the Gold Coast?

Yes. I hold a specific CASA night operations approval, which most drone operators don't have. Night flights require additional safety planning, anti-collision lighting, and risk assessments. I've used night capability for events, construction time-lapses, and architectural lighting shoots. Gold Coast airspace has specific restrictions near the airport, but I manage all the approvals.

Can you fly a drone over people and crowds?

Yes, with conditions. I hold OONP (Operations Over Non-Participants) approval from CASA, which allows flights over people who aren't directly involved in the operation. This is essential for large events, music festivals, weddings, and public spaces. It requires specific risk mitigation, smaller aircraft, and safety protocols, all of which I plan and manage for every job.

Do I need council permission for a drone shoot on the Gold Coast?

It depends on the location. Public parks, beaches, and council land on the Gold Coast may require a permit from the City of Gold Coast. Private property generally doesn't need council approval, but CASA rules still apply. I handle the airspace side. If council approval is needed, I'll let you know during the quoting process and can guide you through the application.

How long does it take to get CASA approval to fly near airports or controlled airspace?

The CASA approval process for operations in or near controlled airspace, including areas around airports, can take anywhere from three to six months. It involves submitting detailed flight plans, risk assessments, and operational procedures for review. This is why planning ahead is critical if your project is near an airport or in restricted airspace. I already hold the certifications and approvals needed for most controlled airspace operations, which means for many jobs near airports I can operate without waiting for additional approvals. If a specific area approval is needed, I'll flag it early so we can factor the timeline into the project.

Process & Delivery

What happens on the day of a drone shoot?

I arrive early to assess the site, check weather conditions, and set up equipment. Before flying, I complete a risk assessment and brief anyone on site. The flight itself typically lasts 20–60 minutes depending on the job scope. I shoot in RAW and high-resolution video formats to give maximum flexibility in editing. You'll see a preview on-site if needed, and I deliver final edited files within 3–5 business days.

How long does it take to receive the final photos and videos?

Standard turnaround is 3–5 business days for edited stills and video. Real estate shoots can be turned around in 24–48 hours when needed. Larger projects with extensive editing, like construction progress compilations or cinematic brand videos, may take 1–2 weeks. I'll confirm the timeline before we start so there are no surprises.

What file formats do you deliver?

Photos are delivered as high-resolution JPEG and, on request, RAW files. Video is delivered in MP4 (H.265) at up to 5.2K resolution depending on the platform used. I can provide specific formats for web, social media, print, or broadcast. If you have a particular format requirement, just let me know when booking.

What happens if the weather is bad on the shoot day?

Safety comes first. Drones can't fly in heavy rain, strong winds (above 35 km/h for most aircraft), or storms. I monitor weather forecasts in the days leading up to every shoot. If conditions are unsafe, I'll reschedule at no extra charge. Gold Coast weather is generally favourable, so postponements are uncommon and usually only by a day or two.

Equipment & Capabilities

What drones do you use?

My fleet includes a DJI Inspire 3 for cinema-grade aerial video, a DJI Mavic 4 Pro and Mavic 3 Pro for versatile photography and video work, a DJI Matrice 300 RTK for heavy-lift payloads like thermal and multispectral sensors, and a DJI Mavic 3 Thermal for inspections and search operations. For dynamic cinematic shots, I fly custom-built FPV drones, including cinewhoops for tight indoor spaces and freestyle builds for fast-paced action sequences.

Can you do FPV drone filming on the Gold Coast?

Yes, FPV is one of my specialties. I build and fly custom FPV drones, including cinewhoops for smooth indoor tracking shots and freestyle rigs for high-speed outdoor sequences. FPV gives a completely different perspective to standard drone footage: immersive, dynamic, and cinematic. It's popular for real estate walkthroughs, events, extreme sports, and brand content.

Do you offer thermal or multispectral drone imaging?

Yes. I use thermal and multispectral sensors mounted on DJI Matrice platforms for applications like building inspections, solar panel audits, roof leak detection, agricultural monitoring, and environmental surveys. Thermal imaging can identify issues invisible to the naked eye, like moisture ingress, insulation gaps, or equipment hot spots.

Locations & Industries

What areas do you service?

My office is in Burleigh Heads, so the Gold Coast is my primary service area. I regularly work across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and wider South East Queensland. For larger projects like construction monitoring, commercial campaigns, or industrial inspections, I travel anywhere in Australia. Interstate and remote-area jobs just need a bit more lead time for logistics.

What industries do you work with?

I work across real estate, construction and development, events and weddings, music festivals, tourism and hospitality, agriculture, mining and resources, insurance, architecture, property development and arch viz, sports and extreme sports, and marketing agencies. I also provide live streaming aerial video for events and broadcasts. Each industry has different requirements. Real estate needs fast turnaround, construction needs consistent angles over months, festivals need crowd-safe operations, and developers need hero content for sales campaigns. Over 11 years, I've built workflows for all of them.

Can you do drone photography for real estate on the Gold Coast?

Real estate is one of my most frequent job types. I provide aerial stills, video fly-overs, and elevated angle shots that showcase properties, land, and surrounding amenities. Turnaround is typically 24–48 hours. I work with agents, developers, and property managers across the Gold Coast, and I understand the angles and compositions that sell: waterfront, hinterland views, proximity to schools or transport.

Do you provide drone services for construction sites?

Yes, construction monitoring is a core part of my work. I capture progress photos and video at regular intervals (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly) from consistent flight paths, giving project managers and stakeholders a clear visual record. I also provide orthomosaic mapping, 3D models, and volumetric measurements for earthworks. All flights comply with Safe Work Australia and CASA requirements for construction environments.

Can you fly drones inside buildings or warehouses?

Yes. For indoor flights, I use custom-built cinewhoops. These are small, propeller-guarded FPV drones designed for tight spaces. They're ideal for real estate interior walkthroughs, warehouse inspections, event venues, and architectural showcases. No GPS is available indoors, so these flights require manual piloting skill and specialised equipment, which is why most operators can't offer this service.