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If you are looking to add another dimension to your travel photos and films, a drone is a great way to do that. Drones offer unique perspectives, dynamic movement, and an ability to capture everyday spaces in completely new ways. After starting out with a much larger version, we have happily landed on the Mavic Pro as our favorite drone for travel.
WHY IT’S IN OUR CAMERA BAG
How else are you going to snag photos and videos from 400’ in the air? Drones have become more and popular and are easily the biggest shift forward in what photographers and videographers are capable of creating.
Just like GoPro has staked their claim on the action camera market, DJI has done the same with drones. They are the biggest and best, and their drone that completely revolutionized the industry was the Mavic Pro foldable drone (as seen in the above image). With a drone this small and portable, you are able to take it with you in a small backpack rather than a large hardshell suitcase. The best part is that the performance doesn’t suffer. DJI has since even come out with a smaller drone called the Spark and a new version of the Mavic (Mavic Pro 2) with an improved camera. It’s on my wish list!
WHAT WE USE IT FOR
Aerial images are great for setting the scene and showing where you are spending your time. They also offer a unique perspective you otherwise wouldn’t be able to get like long shadows on the beach or a unique view of a waterfall or cliffs you would never see otherwise.
PROS
The two biggest benefits of drones are adding unique angles to your story telling and easily capturing smooth footage. Most drones come equipped with a camera gimbal that keeps the footage smooth at all times, even when it’s windy. (Note: there are some things to keep in mind to help you get better footage while flying your drone. Stay tuned for that information in the future.)
CONS
Although connecting and flying a drone nowadays is MUCH easier than it used to be, it still is something that takes a little bit of time and planning. It’s hard to quickly capture the moment. They also tend to have very short battery life, so don’t plan on flying for very long before bringing it back in to swap out the battery. Always be sure to check the flight regulations where you’ll be traveling to. Many tourist destinations have regulations on where you can and can’t fly, so be sure to always abide by those rules.
INVESTMENT
If you want the same drone we bring with us, you can now get one for as little as $900. If you want the upgraded version 2 of the Mavic, it will set you back an additional $700. If you are ready to begin to take your story-telling to a whole new level, you won’t be disappointed with either option!
ACCESSORIES
Batteries – The main accessory you’ll need is at least 1 back up battery. The Mavic Pro only has about a 20 minute battery life. Trust me, that 20 minutes goes fast! You’ll be glad you had an extra one on stand by so you can get back up in the air. If you decide the Mavic Pro 2 is best to suit your needs, you’ll need these batteries.
ND Filter Set – These will be an important component for filming. If you don’t know why, you’ll want to make sure to stay tuned for our post about ND filters and why you need them.
If you are looking to take your stories to the next level, a drone will do the trick! There are many options out there, but just about anyone will tell you that DJI is the brand you can trust. They offer many sizes and price points for their drones, but if you ask us, the original Mavic Pro is a winner, and we recommend it as our favorite drone for travel.
As always, please feel free to check in with any questions about this camera and its related gear. We want to make sure that you are confident with the best tools to tell your story!
*Please note, the shop-able links in the image above are for the Mavic Pro 2 which I do not own. I use and LOVE the Mavic Pro and would confidently recommend the Mavic Pro 2 (and be a little jealous that you’d have one and I don’t).*
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