Photographers have been taking pictures since the inception of the camera. In fact, there have been a number of manned aircraft used by the military to take pictures from the sky for quite some time. While this is the case, unmanned aerial photography drones are something new.

For, only recently did businesses and hobbyists begin using unmanned drones to take pictures. While using drones to shoot photography and video is something new, the history behind aerial photography dates back to the mid-late 1800s. In fact, many pictures were taken from the air long before, during and after World War I.

The history of taking photographs of this nature began in 1862 in France. For, the first aspect of aerial photography occurred when a French Artist and Balloonist took a shot of "Nadar, " in 1858 over Paris. As photographs from the time were lost, the earliest photograph of this nature is known as "Boston, as the Eagle and Wild Goose See It, " which was photographed in 1860 by Wallace Black and Samuel Archer King.

Cameras were later attach to kites after E. D. Archibald discovered the flying objects could take pictures form the sky. After which, a number of post cards were created from the camera attached to the kite. Once the method proved successful, Arthur Batut published a book on the methods used in the process in 1890.

When Samuel Franklin Cody developed a kite advanced enough to be used in military options, The British Armed Forces became quite interested. The designer then found a way to shoot moving pictures with the kite. After which, the camera was attached to an aircraft from which more detailed and distinct pictures and videos could be shot and recorded.

Later, taking photos from the air became quite popular during War World I. It was during this time that cameras began to record movements of enemies and defense response. After which, map sketching and photography from the air became more accepted than it had been in the past.

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.

With new laws related to height and locations in which these drones can be used, artists and hobbyists are now more limited. Before sending a drone up into the air with a camera or otherwise, it is important to check all laws and restrictions in the area. For, there are some instances that when flying within a range of a specific airport, building or location, that doing so could be considered a misdemeanor or felony, at least in the United States.