Using Drones for Home Interiors

Creating hypnotically smooth and properly exposed home interior videos is one of

the most challenging aspects of real estate photography. Just a few years ago, the idea of flying a drone indoors seemed absurd — unless you were okay with risking expensive artwork or scattering papers everywhere from the downdraft. Back then, the only option for achieving that dreamy, cinematic smoothness was using a DSLR camera mounted on a gimbal. However, no matter how steady you walked, subtle up-and-down movements were always visible in longer tracking shots.

When I first proposed using a drone indoors to a broker, his initial reaction was pure skepticism. He was so nervous that he asked me not to do it. Still, I decided to experiment. I equipped the compact DJI Mini 3 Pro with propeller guards and gave it a shot. The results were surprisingly good — so good, in fact, that I never told the broker I had used a drone. All he knew was that he loved the final video, and that’s what mattered.

While FPV (first-person view) drones have been around for years, their footage was often too chaotic and erratic for the polished aesthetic required in real estate. The real breakthrough came with the introduction of hybrid drones, such as DJI’s Avata series, classified as "Cinewhoop" drones. These drones combine the GPS lock and stabilization technology of traditional drones with the agility and immersive control of FPV systems. Features like perfect horizon stabilization and protective blade guards make them safe to fly close to priceless decor and artwork, while delivering ultra-smooth, cinematic footage.

The addition of goggles to the piloting process has also enhanced control. Wearing goggles provides an immersive, first-person experience — like sitting in the front row of a movie theater — allowing operators to achieve a level of precision that was previously impossible. Flying mere inches from delicate objects or smoothly navigating through tight spaces, such as doorways and windows, is now entirely feasible.

Thanks to these innovations, drones have gone from being an outdoor-only tool to an essential part of high-end interior videography. The results speak for themselves — brokers and homeowners alike are blown away by the seamless, immersive experience these videos create.