Drone Photography & Video
Boat and Yacht Drone Photography and Video on Lake Erie
Aerial photos and video of your boat on the water, shot by people who sell boats for a living.
Free with every Northern Boat Brokerage listing. Quote-based shoots for private sellers, boat owners, sailors, racing teams and poker runs in Cleveland, Mentor, Huron, Lorain and Sandusky.
Drone Photography & Video
Drone Photos and Video Built to Sell Boats
A buyer decides in the first three photos whether to call. Aerial shots show the whole boat at once: deck layout, cockpit size, swim platform, hardtop, and how it sits in the water. Dock-level phone photos can't do that.
We started flying drones for our own listings on Lake Erie. Now we offer the same shoots to private sellers, boat owners, sailors and event organizers in Cleveland, Mentor, Huron, Lorain and Sandusky.
You get edited high-resolution photos and video, sized for listing sites, Facebook Marketplace, Instagram and your own wall.
Free Drone Photography With Every NBB Listing
List your boat with Northern Boat Brokerage and drone photos and video are included at no charge. They go on your listing page and everywhere we market your boat.
Two things we ask on shoot day:
- The boat is clean, inside and out. Aerial shots show every deck stain and every loose line.
- You are on board to run the boat. We film it underway, so we need the owner at the helm.
See how our full-service brokerage works, or get a free boat valuation.
Drone Services and Packages
Every shoot is quoted to the boat, the location and what you need delivered. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll send a quote.
NBB Listing Clients: Free
- Aerial photos and video for every boat we list.
- Boat must be clean and the owner present to operate it.
Private Seller Listing Package
- Selling on your own? We shoot the same aerial and dock-level set we use for our listings.
- Photos sized for Boat Trader, YachtWorld, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
- A short video walkaround you can post or text to buyers.
- Decide later to list with us and the photos carry over to your NBB listing.
Boat Owner and Lifestyle Shoots
- Your boat underway with family and friends aboard, at anchor, or running at sunset.
- Photos and edited video for prints, social posts or a season recap.
- Good for new owners, christenings and end-of-season keepsakes.
Sailing and Racing Photography
- Sailboat racing photography from above the fleet: starts, mark roundings, spinnaker runs and crew work.
- Single-boat packages for owners and teams, or full-day coverage for clubs and race committees.
- We work around race committee rules and keep clear of the course.
Poker Runs and On-the-Water Events
- Aerial video and photos of poker runs, rendezvous, raft-ups and club cruises launching from Cleveland, Mentor, Huron, Lorain or Sandusky.
- A highlight reel for the organizer and sponsors, with photo sets for individual boats.
- We plan flights with the organizer ahead of the event.
Sailboat Racing and Regatta Photography on Lake Erie
Cleveland has one of the busiest racing calendars on the Great Lakes. Cleveland Race Week brings hundreds of boats to the lakefront every June, and weeknight series run out of clubs from Mentor to Sandusky all summer.
From the air, a racing photo shows what deck shots miss: the whole sail plan, the boat's angle of heel, the gap to the next boat at the mark. Owners use them for crew recruiting and sponsor decks. Clubs use them for regatta promotion.
Tell us the race, the date and the sail number, and we'll quote single-boat or fleet coverage.
Where We Fly: Cleveland, Mentor, Huron, Lorain and Sandusky
We shoot boats in five Lake Erie ports right now:
- Cleveland: the downtown lakefront, the Cuyahoga River and the west side harbors.
- Mentor: Mentor Harbor and the Lake County shoreline.
- Huron: the Huron River and the harbor at the river mouth.
- Lorain: Lorain Harbor and the Black River.
- Sandusky: Sandusky Bay and the Cedar Point shoreline.
Your boat on a trailer or in storage? We can shoot it on land too, though on the water looks better.
What You Get
- Edited high-resolution aerial photos, color-corrected
- Dock-level photos of deck, cockpit, helm and cabin (listing packages)
- Edited video with aerial and on-deck footage
- A vertical cut for Instagram Reels, TikTok and Facebook
- Files delivered by download link
- Weather reschedules at no charge
Delivery time is part of your quote.
Drone Photography & Video
Drone Photography FAQ
How much does boat drone photography cost?
Every shoot is quoted to the boat, location and deliverables. Send us the boat, where it is and what you need, and we'll get you a quote. Drone photos and video are free when you list your boat with Northern Boat Brokerage.
Is drone photography really free if I list with NBB?
Yes. Every boat we list gets aerial photos and video at no charge. The boat needs to be clean, and you need to be on board to run it during the shoot.
Can you shoot my boat if I'm selling it myself?
Yes. Our private seller package gives you the same aerial and dock-level photos we use on our own listings, plus a short video. If you decide to list with us later, the photos carry over.
Do you photograph sailboat races and regattas?
Yes. We shoot single boats for owners and teams, and full-day fleet coverage for clubs and race committees, in Cleveland, Mentor, Huron, Lorain and Sandusky. We follow race committee rules and stay off the course.
Can you film a poker run or club event?
Yes. We film poker runs, rendezvous and club cruises that start from our five service ports, and deliver a highlight reel plus photo sets for individual boats. Plan with us before the event so flights fit the schedule.
Where do you fly?
Cleveland, Mentor, Huron, Lorain and Sandusky on Lake Erie. Ask us about other ports and we'll tell you honestly whether we can cover them.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We watch wind, rain and visibility the day before and reschedule at no charge. Lake Erie can turn fast, and a flat calm morning usually beats a windy afternoon for photos.
When is the best time of year for boat photos on Lake Erie?
June through September gives the best water color and light. Early morning and the hour before sunset are best for aerial shots. For sellers, shooting before spring launch season puts your listing in front of buyers when they start shopping.
Do I need to be there for the shoot?
For NBB listings, yes, because we film the boat underway and need the owner at the helm. For other shoots, someone who can run the boat needs to be aboard.
Request a drone photography quote
Tell us about your boat, where it is and what you need. NBB listing clients, ask about scheduling your free shoot.