Turns out, 2025 was the summer of drone photography. According to new research from photo-curation platform Popsa, global searches for “drone photography” soared to record-breaking levels in August — topping 180,000 searches worldwide. That’s a 122% increase compared to the same month last year.
If you’ve noticed more drones buzzing overhead — or more dramatic aerial shots flooding your Instagram feed — you’re not imagining it. Perhaps the abundance of affordable camera drones like the DJI Neo and the DJI Flip had something to do with it.
But what’s really fascinating is where those searches are happening — and why.
From weddings to real estate: drones hit mainstream in summer 2025
Popsa’s data shows some industries are leaning hard into drones:
Real estate drone photography searches jumped 129% year-over-year. Because let’s face it, curb appeal looks a lot more impressive from 200 feet up.
Wedding drone photography searches climbed 30%. Why settle for a shaky uncle with an iPhone when you could have a cinematic aerial reveal of your first kiss?
And this isn’t just hype. Analysts at Straits Research expect the drone camera market to hit $14 billion by 2025 — a sign that drone cameras really are mainstream.
“Drone photography has gone from niche novelty to mainstream demand,” said Popsa CEO Liam Houghton. “Searches soaring to new highs reflect not just curiosity, but a shift in how people want to capture and share their lives.”
(Photo by Mathias Fernandes)
Tips from a pro: how to up your drone photography game
To get beyond the numbers, Popsa tapped drone photography expert Mathias Fernandes, who shared advice for pilots looking to level up their aerial images. Here are some of my favorite takeaways:
Learn to fly before you shoot: “Master your controls first. Start in wide, open spaces and plan your shots before take-off.”
Depth is everything: Pair a sense of scale with a dramatic location for photos that pop.
Preparation beats luck: Great drone photographers train regularly, know their gear and follow the rules.
Pack smart: A Mavic 3 Pro with its 4/3″ Hasselblad sensor is Mathias’ go-to, but don’t forget spares: batteries, propellers, and weather-tracking tools are essentials.
Pre-flight rituals matter: “Check weather, airspace, and permits. Inspect gear, update firmware, calibrate if needed, confirm GPS lock and always set a safe return-to-home altitude,” Fernandes said.
Basically, the best drone shots don’t just happen — they’re planned, practiced, and prepped for.
Why the summer 2025 data matters for the drone world
Drone photography’s surge tells us that drones are cementing themselves in everyday culture. When I started flying drones in 2013, the top question I got was, “is this safe and are you spying on me?” That’s no longer the case. Today, drones are shaping industries of every kind. There’s Hollywood, and there are industrial inspections. But for every day people, drones are critical too, from real estate to weddings.
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