Let's talk about Colorado wedding drone photography for your wedding day! I am an FAA-licensed and insured drone photographer and videographer. Becoming licensed is something I pursued when I started offering videography in 2019 - but I quickly began asking myself why the heck I wasn't using the drone for PHOTOGRAPHY, too!
It's no secret that Colorado has epic scenery. Many of my couples come to me wanting their story told not only through the small details and real, raw moments - but also with a sense of place and a celebration of the beautiful scenery.
I couldn't think of any better way to put your wedding photos in context (and impress the pants off of everyone who sees your wedding photos) than with drone photography.
WHERE AND WHEN CAN I FLY?
This is a great question! Drone photography depends on two things: weather and location. I cannot safely fly the drone in windy or rainy conditions. Many venues allow drone photography since I am licensed and insured but not all of them do!
Below are some examples of where I have flown my drone (in BOLD). This is not an exhaustive live and I am ALWAYS happy to ask your venue about your wedding.
There are many venues that are working farms where I CAN fly the drone such as Lone Hawk Farm in Longmont, Deer Creek Valley Ranch in Bailey, and Spruce Mountain Ranch in Larkspur - with the caveat that I cannot disturb the animals. I love horse b-roll y'all, but I would never do anything to agitate those beautiful animals (and you shouldn't want me to.)
Boulder, Colorado in general is almost impossible to fly a drone in - you may not have drones at Chautauqua or on Flagstaff Mountain. If any drone footage makes its way online, I have heard stories of creators being tracked down and fined... heftily! There are some exceptions. For instance, Greystone Castle on Flagstaff Mountain is an enormous private property where flying a drone is allowed! If you're getting married in Boulder I would assume that drone photography is a no but it's very much on a venue-by-venue and case-by-case basis and I will ALWAYS ask for you!
State and National Parks do not allow drone photography. Occasionally a state park will give special permission but this is rare. Drone restrictions are in place to protect the wild animals and to protect the peace of visitors. They have very small windows of time where they lift the drone restrictions that protect the birds. Rocky Mountain National Park does not allow drones, and like Boulder, they are known to track people down who post photo evidence of them breaking the rules online to fine them. There can be workarounds, though. For instance, I was NOT allowed to fly the drone in Garden of the Gods State Park for one couple's ceremony but I DID receive permission to fly in downtown Colorado Springs for the couple's rooftop brewery reception! If drone photography is important to you, ask me if there's a way to make it happen.
If you are getting married at a private property there's a good chance we can fly! I have put the drone up at venues like Wild Basin Lodge in Allenspark, Rocky Mountain Pathways Ranch in Allenspark, Willow Ridge Manor in Morrison, The Manor House in Littleton, Lionscrest Manor in Lyons, Rist Canyon Inn in Laporte, Della Terra Mountain Chateau in Estes Park, Ashley Ridge by Wedgewood in Littleton, Blackstone Rivers Ranch in Idaho Springs, and Piney River Ranch in Vail (with a full buyout) for STUNNING images! I just can't leave the property lines.
Golf courses like Boulder Country Club, the Barn at Raccoon Creek in Littleton, Highland Meadows Golf Course in Windsor, and more will allow me to fly my drone. Yay!!! Preferably this is done at sunset as all active golf rounds wrap up and golfers leave the course. I don't want my drone taken out by a golf ball any more than golfers want the peaceful environment of the course disturbed by a loud buzzing drone.
I have not yet successfully flown a drone at a ski resort because they do not allow drones to be operated while people are on the mountain. However, many do allow drones when you are having your wedding after the ski lifts stop operating for the general public!
If you aren't sure whether your venue allows drone photography, don't worry. If you hire me as your Colorado wedding photographer I will ask on your behalf! I will fill out forms, provide proof of insurance - whatever it takes! Let's get the conversation started, friends. I can't wait to capture your story from the sky.
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