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Welcome Back To Side Hustle Weekly!

I’m excited to share with you another great side hustle you can start today! Today we will be discussing how to start a drone photography business.

Before We Get Started Here’s Your News Recap:

Payroll shocker — 911,000 fewer jobs** than thought.**
The government’s annual benchmark revision shows payroll growth through March was overstated by ~911k, cooling the labor story and firming odds of a near-term rate cut. The U.S. dollar slipped on the news as markets recalibrated.

Gold smashes a fresh record** as cut bets climb.**
Spot gold hit $3,666/oz intraday with futures near $3,701, as traders priced an ~89% chance of a 25 bps Fed cut this month and the dollar sagged. Rate-sensitive hedges are back in vogue.

Wall Street cautious, not cracked.
Indexes opened slightly higher but stayed subdued near records, digesting the jobs revision while keeping rate-cut hopes intact. Soft landing hopes remain the base case—for now.

Fed watch: Is 3% the new 2%?**
With core inflation ~3%, a cut next week would test the 2% orthodoxy and signal a more flexible target in practice. Markets aren’t panicking: spreads tame, equities firm.

Main Street mood improves—but hiring is hard.
The NFIB optimism index ticked up, while owners still flag “quality of labor” as a top problem. Translation: demand steady, talent tight. • Apple day: design splash, pricing questions.
Ahead of today’s stage time, Apple is expected to debut a thinner iPhone “Air” skew, with AI feature pacing under the microscope. Price points and battery trade-offs could steer upgrade intent.

U.S. LNG build-out hits another gear.
NextDecade is set to take FID on a new Rio Grande LNG train in Texas—locking more U.S. capacity into the late-decade supply wave. Big picture: America’s LNG push keeps reshaping global gas flows and pricing power.

LNG demand signal from Big Oil.
At Gastech, ExxonMobil said China’s LNG appetite stays robust despite new pipeline gas, and Venture Global argued Asian demand for U.S. LNG remains unshaken. Data-center growth and coal-to-gas switching are key tailwinds.

Mega-mining tie-up** reshapes materials supply.**
Anglo American and Teck Resources agreed to merge in one of the largest mining deals in decades—a scale move with knock-on effects for copper, coal, and critical-minerals supply to U.S. industry.

AI infrastructure gets a $17.4B jolt.
Nebius inked a $17.4 billion AI-compute deal with Microsoft, underscoring run-rate demand for datacenter capacity even as chip stocks waffle. Infra spend remains the durable leg of the AI trade.

Drone Photography

Sky’s the Limit: How to Start a Drone Photography Business

Turn Your Drone into a $5,000–$10,000+ Monthly Income Stream

Flying drones isn’t just a fun hobby anymore — it’s a booming industry with opportunities in real estate, weddings, marketing, construction, and even agriculture. With minimal startup costs and high demand, you can quickly transform your drone into a money-making machine and even grow it into a full-time business generating $5,000, $10,000, or more per month.

This step-by-step guide will show you how to start and scale your drone photography business, even if you’re a beginner.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started

1. Learn the Basics and Get Certified

In most countries — including the U.S. — you need certification to fly drones commercially.

• In the U.S., that means getting your FAA Part 107 license.

• Take an online prep course from sites like Pilot Institute or Drone Launch Academy for around $150–$200.

• Pass the exam, and you’re ready to fly for business legally.

2. Pick Your Niche

Specializing early helps you stand out and charge more. Popular niches include:

• Real Estate Photography – Realtors love aerial views to make listings pop.

• Weddings and Events – Couples pay big for unique aerial shots of their big day.

• Construction and Inspections – Companies pay well for aerial surveys and progress shots.

• Marketing Content – Small businesses need fresh angles for ads and social media.

• Agriculture – Crop health monitoring is a growing, high-paying niche.

Choose one or two niches to focus on when you’re starting.

3. Invest in the Right Equipment

You don’t need the most expensive drone to start, but you do need reliable gear.
Recommended starter setup:

• DJI Mini 4 Pro or Air 3 – Affordable and high quality.

• Extra batteries – Longer shoot times mean more bookings.

• High-speed SD cards – For seamless recording.

• Editing software – Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut for pro-level editing.

As you grow, consider upgrading to a DJI Mavic 3 or Inspire 3 for more advanced projects.

4. Build Your Portfolio

Clients want to see your skills before they hire you. Start by:

• Shooting local parks, landmarks, or your neighborhood.

• Offering discounted or free shoots for friends or local businesses.

• Creating a simple website or social media page showcasing your best work.

A polished portfolio will help you look professional and close more deals.

5. Find Your First Clients

Getting your first paying gigs doesn’t have to be hard:

• Real Estate Agents – Pitch aerial property shots to local agents.

• Wedding Planners – Offer drone packages as part of wedding video services.

• Small Businesses – Propose aerial content for ads or social posts.

• Freelance Platforms – Sign up for Fiverr, Upwork, or Thumbtack to get initial jobs.

6. Set Competitive Pricing

Your rates will depend on your niche, but here are general starting points:

• Real Estate Shoots: $150–$300 per property.

• Event Coverage: $500–$1,500 per event.

• Construction/Survey Work: $200–$500 per hour.

• Marketing Packages: $1,000+ for ongoing content creation.

As your experience grows, your rates can double or even triple.

7. Market Your Business

Use free and paid strategies to grow your visibility:

• Post content regularly on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

• Network with real estate offices, wedding planners, and local businesses.

• Run local Facebook or Google Ads to reach potential clients.

• Build relationships with agencies that subcontract drone operators.

8. Scale for Growth

Once your schedule fills up, scale by:

• Hiring other drone pilots to handle more jobs.

• Offering video editing or marketing add-ons to increase income per client.

• Partnering with real estate agencies or event planners for recurring work.

This turns your side hustle into a scalable business.

Requirements to Get Started

• FAA Part 107 or equivalent certification in your country.

• Reliable drone and backup batteries.

• Computer for editing and file management.

• Liability insurance (around $500–$1,000 per year).

• Basic editing and marketing skills.

Websites and Software You’ll Need

• Canva – For marketing materials and social posts.

• Premiere Pro or Final Cut – For professional video editing.

• Pilot Institute – For FAA exam prep.

• DroneDeploy or Pix4D – For mapping or survey projects.

• Thumbtack, Fiverr, or Upwork – For finding new clients.

Products to Maximize Results

• Drone Backpack – For safe transport.

• ND Filters – For cinematic shots.

• Portable Charger – To stay powered on the go.

• Noise-Canceling Headphones – For focused editing.

• External Hard Drive – For secure storage of footage.

Earning Potential

Here’s what your monthly income can look like:

• Beginner: $1,500–$3,000 with a few small gigs per week.

• Intermediate: $5,000–$10,000 with steady clients in real estate or events.

• Advanced: $15,000+ with multiple niches, repeat contracts, and a team.

Scaling just a few contracts per month can quickly push you into six-figure annual revenue.

Pros

• Low barrier to entry – Start with less than $2,000 in equipment.

• High demand – Real estate, marketing, and events always need aerial content.

• Scalable – Hire others to expand your reach.

• Creative and flexible – Every shoot is unique.

Cons

• Weather dependent – Bad conditions can cancel shoots.

• Upfront investment – Equipment, insurance, and certification cost money.

• Ongoing learning – Tech evolves quickly, and staying updated is key.

• Liability risk – Requires careful flying and proper insurance.

Summary: Keys to Drone Photography Success

1. Get certified and legal before accepting jobs.

2. Pick a niche to stand out and attract targeted clients.

3. Invest in good equipment to ensure professional quality.

4. Build a portfolio to prove your skills.

5. Find and market to clients with direct outreach and online platforms.

6. Scale smart by hiring help and offering value-added services.

With focus, consistency, and smart scaling, your drone can be more than just a toy — it can become a profitable, flexible, and exciting business that pays you to see the world from a whole new perspective.

That’s A Wrap

I hope you enjoyed today’s post and if you have any questions about the post, upcoming posts, how to advertise, or anything else, feel free to reply. See you next time with another money-making post, helping you boost your income!

Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only and reflects the opinions of its editors and contributors. The content provided, including but not limited to real estate tips, stock market insights, business marketing strategies, and startup advice, is shared for general guidance and does not constitute financial, investment, real estate, legal, or business advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investment, real estate, and business decisions involve inherent risks, and readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before taking any action. This newsletter does not establish a fiduciary, advisory, or professional relationship between the publishers and readers.