How Kemps Aerial Drone Service Works for Real Estate Photography in South Carolina

What Kemps Aerial Drone Service offers

Kemps Aerial Drone Service is a drone photography and videography business based in South Carolina that specializes in capturing properties from above. The service uses aerial drones to photograph residential and commercial real estate, creating images and video that show a property's layout, surroundings, and features in ways ground-level photography cannot.

The company operates licensed drone pilots who fly equipment over properties to capture wide-angle shots, property boundaries, landscaping, rooflines, and neighborhood context. These images and videos are then delivered to real estate agents, property owners, or developers for use in listings, marketing materials, and presentations.

Kemps serves the South Carolina real estate market, where aerial imagery has become standard in property marketing—especially for larger homes, land parcels, commercial buildings, and properties with significant grounds or water views.

Key Takeaways

• Kemps Aerial Drone Service captures high-resolution photographs and video of properties using licensed drone pilots and professional equipment.
• Aerial imagery shows property boundaries, landscaping, rooflines, and surrounding neighborhood features that ground-level photos cannot capture.
• The service is used by real estate agents, property owners, and developers to market residential and commercial properties across South Carolina.
• Drone photography typically requires clear weather, daylight hours, and property access or permission before a shoot can take place.
• Turnaround time and pricing vary based on property size, location, and the number of images or video length requested.

How to request a drone photography shoot

To use Kemps Aerial Drone Service, you contact the company directly to discuss your property and photography needs. Real estate agents typically initiate the request on behalf of a seller or property owner, though individual homeowners can also reach out independently.

When you contact Kemps, you will need to provide the property address, the type of property (residential, commercial, land), and what you want captured—still photographs, video, or both. The company will confirm availability, discuss scheduling, and explain any requirements for property access or permissions.

Kemps operates within Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations for commercial drone use, which means the pilots hold the required Part 107 certification. This certification allows them to fly drones legally for business purposes and ensures they follow safety and privacy rules.

What to expect during and after the shoot

On the day of the shoot, a Kemps pilot will arrive at the property with drone equipment and conduct the photography session. The pilot will fly the drone at various altitudes and angles to capture the property from multiple perspectives—showing the full footprint of the building, surrounding landscape, driveway, and neighborhood context.

The shoot typically takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on property size and complexity. Weather conditions must be suitable—clear skies and calm winds are ideal, so shoots may be rescheduled if conditions are poor on the scheduled date.

After the shoot, Kemps processes the images and video, which may include color correction, editing, and formatting for different uses. Deliverables are usually provided digitally—high-resolution image files and video files that can be uploaded to real estate listing sites, social media, or marketing materials. Turnaround time varies but typically ranges from a few days to a week.

Cost and what affects pricing

Kemps Aerial Drone Service pricing depends on several factors: the size and complexity of the property, the number of images or video length requested, travel distance from their base location, and whether additional editing or special requests are included.

A standard residential property shoot with still photographs and basic video may cost less than a large commercial property or land parcel requiring extensive aerial coverage. Rush delivery or specialized requests (such as 360-degree panoramas or drone video with music and titles) may increase the cost.

To receive a price quote, contact Kemps directly with your property details. Most drone photography services in South Carolina charge per shoot rather than per image, so the cost is typically a flat rate for the session and deliverables.

Why real estate agents use aerial drone photography

Aerial imagery has become a competitive advantage in real estate marketing. Homes and commercial properties listed with drone photography typically receive more online views and inquiries than listings with ground-level photos alone. Buyers and investors can see the property's full layout, lot size, proximity to roads or water, and surrounding neighborhood in a single image or video.

For land sales, drone photography is especially valuable because it shows acreage, terrain, tree coverage, and access points that are difficult to convey with traditional photography. For commercial properties, aerial views demonstrate parking, loading areas, and visibility from major roads.

Real estate agents in South Carolina often include drone photography as part of their standard marketing package for mid-range to high-end properties, or offer it as an add-on service to help properties sell faster and at better prices.

FAA regulations and drone pilot certification

Commercial drone photography in the United States is regulated by the FAA. Pilots who fly drones for business—including real estate photography—must hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. This certification requires passing a written exam, demonstrating knowledge of airspace rules, safety procedures, and privacy laws.

Kemps pilots operate under these regulations, which means they follow rules about flight altitude (typically under 400 feet), line-of-sight operation, and restrictions near airports or populated areas. They also carry liability insurance to protect property owners and clients in case of equipment damage or accidents.

When you hire a licensed drone service like Kemps, you are working with pilots who have met federal safety standards and can legally operate commercial drone equipment in South Carolina.

Alternatives to aerial drone photography

If drone photography is not available or does not fit your budget, other options exist for capturing property images. Traditional ground-level photography with a wide-angle lens can show much of a property's exterior. Some real estate agents use matterport 3D virtual tours, which allow buyers to walk through a property online without aerial views.

For land parcels, satellite imagery from Google Maps or similar services provides overhead views, though these are not as current or detailed as professional drone photography. Some properties may benefit from a combination of approaches—drone photography for the exterior and layout, plus interior photography and virtual tours for a complete marketing package.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need permission from neighbors or the city to have drone photography done?

You need permission from the property owner to fly a drone over the property. The FAA does not require city or county approval for drone flights over private land, but the pilot must follow airspace rules and cannot fly over neighboring properties without consent. Kemps pilots will confirm access and permissions before scheduling.

What if the weather is bad on my scheduled shoot day?

Drone flights require clear visibility and calm winds. If weather is unsuitable on your scheduled date, Kemps will reschedule the shoot for the next available clear day. Most drone services build weather flexibility into their booking process, so you are not charged for a rescheduled session due to weather.

How long does it take to get the photos and video after the shoot?

Turnaround time typically ranges from a few days to a week, depending on the volume of footage and the level of editing requested. Rush delivery may be available for an additional fee. Contact Kemps directly to discuss your timeline when you book.

Can drone photography be used for properties near airports or in restricted airspace?

Properties near airports or in restricted airspace require special FAA authorization before drone flights are permitted. Kemps pilots know these restrictions and will advise you if your property falls in a restricted zone. In some cases, a waiver or authorization can be obtained, but it adds time and cost to the project.

What file formats will I receive, and can I use the images on multiple platforms?

Kemps typically delivers high-resolution image files (usually JPEG or similar formats) and video files that work on standard real estate listing sites, social media, and websites. Confirm the file formats and usage rights when you book, as some services restrict commercial use or require attribution.