While photographers have been taking pictures since the invention of the camera, photographers now have even more choices when it comes to equipment. In one case, this is the use of Aerial Photography Drones. Most often associated with the military, drones have been around for decades.

Only in the recent past did hobbyists and photographers begin using unmanned aerial photography in this capacity. Whereas, historically speaking aerial photography has been around since long before World War I. After which, manned aircraft was used in the war to capture shots of offensive maneuvers as well as defensive strikes.

The beginning of this type of photography began in France in 1862. The first picture believed to have been taken was that of "Nadar, " shot above Paris by a French Artist. As that photograph has been lost, most often the earliest photograph of this type is known as "Boston, as the Eagle and Wild Goose See It, " a photograph shot by Samuel Archer King and Wallace Black in 1860.

Kites, armed with cameras were later used to take pictures from the sky. In fact, a kite was one of the first the military used take capture pictures of enemies and offensive movements on the ground. Although, much more popular and associated with kites at the time was the publication of several post cards which were developed and designed from various images which the kites recorded while in flight.

Later, Samuel Franklin Cody developed an advanced war kite in which the British War Office became interested. After which, the first aircraft was equipped with a motion picture camera in 1909. The camera was then placed on an aircraft, at which time the camera filmed video shots over Rome, a film which became silent short film known as Wilbur Wright and seine Flugmaschine.

While pictures had been taken from air before War World I, it was during this time that the activity become popular with society. For, this new technology had the ability to take pictures and videos of offensive and defensive troops on the ground. As such, the technology was used in photography and sketching maps from the air. After which, the mapping and photos were used to create offensive and defensive strategies.

While aerial spying is somewhat of a common occurrence by military aircraft and officials, doing so as an individual operator is often frowned upon. As a result, there are now laws related to different types of aircraft which have the ability to attach drones or other cameras in order to spy on buildings, people or other ground material. In most cases, those using these drones are good citizens who do not spy on others without permission. Whereas, most often, those working for the military, news reporters and others working in this area often have permission to do so.

As there are a number of laws related to drone activity, it is important that users understand these laws. While this is the case, there are a number of children who have no knowledge of these laws. It is important that parents of younger users have a discussion about these laws to prevent a child from flying a drone in a restricted area. Otherwise, the parents could face huge fines and penalties if a child were to break these laws.