Author
Shawn Mangenje
A photographer who moved from the UK to Detroit in 2015 and started RAW as a series of photo walks and workshops for the city’s creatives. Shawn leads creative direction, directs shoots and still shoots much of the photography RAW is known for.
At a glance
Shawn at RAW Digital Group
How the guides on this site get written and checked is on the how we check our facts page.
- Role
- Founder & Creative Director, RAW Digital Group
- Based in
- Detroit, MI
- Writes about
- Drone, Video, Pricing, Industry, Social media, Photography
- Guides published
- 33
Guides
Written by Shawn
33 guides, newest update first. Every number links to its source.
Game Day and Your Drone Shoot: Comerica Park, Ford Field and Grand Prix Flight Restrictions
How the FAA's stadium flight restriction grounds drones across downtown Detroit on Tigers, Lions and Grand Prix days, with distances and a planning method.
Read the guide →DroneChicago Drone Rules for Commercial Shoots (2026)
Where to fly a drone in and near Chicago in 2026: Loop and lakefront airspace, Park District permits, Film Office review and 22 FRIA fields in Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties.
Read the guide →DroneConstruction Progress Drone Photography: What to Expect
Drone photos and video for construction project updates: how often to fly, matching angles, deliverables, site safety and 2026 pricing.
Read the guide →VideoHow to Get a Film or Photo Permit in Detroit (2026)
How to get a film or photo permit in Detroit in 2026: the free city permit, RiverWalk and Belle Isle fees, street closures, insurance and a lead-time table.
Read the guide →PricingHow Much Does Drone Photography and Video Cost in Detroit? (2026)
What drone photography and aerial video cost in Detroit in 2026, from home listings to construction and FPV, what drives the price, and how to compare quotes.
Read the guide →DroneConstruction Drone Progress Photography in Central Ohio: A Guide for GCs, Developers and Lenders
Drone progress photos and video for central Ohio construction in 2026: Intel's Licking County fabs, data centers, CMH and LCK airspace, site safety and costs.
Read the guide →IndustryCoffee Shop Video and Ads: A Shot List and Ad Plan for Cafe Owners
How a cafe plans one shoot for a brand video and short ads: shot list, releases, vertical cuts, captions, ad music, local Meta and TikTok targeting, results.
Read the guide →VideoFilming in Windsor, Ontario With a US Crew: Permits, Border and Drone Rules
What a Detroit crew needs to shoot photo, video or drone in Windsor, Ontario: CBSA gear entry, IRCC work rules, the drone SFOC, city permits and lead time.
Read the guide →DroneHole-by-Hole Golf Course Drone Flyovers: How They Are Planned and Shot
How hole-by-hole golf course drone flyovers are planned and shot in Michigan: flight paths, yardage overlays, FPV, flying near golfers, airspace, deliverables.
Read the guide →VideoFilm and Commercial Production Incentives in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Ontario (2026)
Film and commercial incentives compared for Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Ontario in 2026: rates, minimums, caps and what commercials can claim.
Read the guide →DroneIndiana Drone Laws for Commercial Shoots (2026)
Indiana drone laws for commercial shoots in 2026: the state code, a July 2026 change, DNR rules, Indianapolis and Fort Wayne permits, and IND and FWA airspace.
Read the guide →DroneMichigan Drone Laws 2026: The Complete Guide for Commercial and Recreational Pilots
Michigan drone laws in 2026: FAA rules, PA 436, state parks, Metroparks, national lakeshores, Mackinac Island, campuses, airports and bills pending in Lansing.
Read the guide →DroneOhio Drone Laws for Commercial Shoots: What Applies in 2026
Ohio drone laws for commercial shoots in 2026: the state code, a new police drone law, pending bills, park rules, film permits and airspace in three cities.
Read the guide →Social mediaLinkedIn and Short-Form Video for Law, Finance and Advisory Firms (2026 Guide)
How law, accounting, finance and M&A advisory firms use LinkedIn and short-form video to reach business owners in 2026: formats, specs, ads and compliance.
Read the guide →IndustryCabin and Short-Term Rental Marketing in Ohio: Photos, Drone and Video That Book
How Hocking Hills and central Ohio cabin owners use listing photos, twilight exteriors, drone aerials and short video to win more bookings.
Read the guide →IndustryHow Tourism Bureaus Buy Video, Photo and Drone Content: A 2026 RFP Guide
How visitors bureaus and DMOs buy video, photo and drone content in 2026: RFP structure, scoring, deliverables, usage rights, releases, permits and captions.
Read the guide →VideoMichigan Film Incentives in 2026: Where Things Stand
Michigan has had no film incentive since 2015. What House Bills 5991 and 5992 would do, where they stand in October 2026, and what that means for shoots.
Read the guide →PricingHow to Compare Drone Video Quotes: What Should Be in the Price
Three drone video quotes, three very different prices. What a complete quote should list, how day rates and project prices differ, and a checklist to compare.
Read the guide →DroneFreelance Drone Pilot, Drone Company or Full-Service Agency: Who Should Fly Your Project?
An honest comparison of the three ways to buy aerial video: a freelance drone pilot, a drone company or a full-service agency. Cost, editing, insurance and fit.
Read the guide →DroneHow to Write a Drone Video Brief (Free Template and Example)
A free one-page drone video brief template with a filled-in example. Covers the goal, location, shot list, deliverables, rights, insurance, budget and dates.
Read the guide →IndustryDrone Video for Multi-Location Brands: How to Hire One Partner Across Many Sites
How franchises, restaurant groups, hotels, retailers and developers get matching drone video at every site: vendor models, shot standards, airspace and rights.
Read the guide →DroneHiring a Drone for an Event: Rules, Costs and What to Ask
What event planners need to know before hiring a drone: FAA rules on flying over crowds, stadium restrictions, night flights, insurance, costs and lead times.
Read the guide →DroneHow to Hire a Drone Video Company: A Buyer's Guide for Marketing Teams
How to hire a drone video company step by step: write the brief, choose aerial or aerial plus ground, read reels, compare proposals, plan delivery.
Read the guide →Drone15 Questions to Ask a Drone Company Before You Sign
A script for the first call with a drone company: 15 questions on FAA compliance, planning, the edit, price and rights, with strong and weak answers for each.
Read the guide →DroneDrone Rules in Detroit: What's Legal Where (2026)
Where you can legally fly a drone in Detroit in 2026: FAA rules, downtown and riverfront airspace, stadium limits, Michigan law, park permits and the border.
Read the guide →DroneCan You Fly a Drone Over the Detroit River?
Yes, on the US side. What the Canadian border, Transport Canada, Windsor's control zone, launch permits and open water mean for Detroit River drone shoots.
Read the guide →DroneDrone vs. FPV: Which Does Your Project Need?
Camera drone or FPV? How each one flies, what each shoots best, the FAA rules, safety, cost and how to plan an FPV one-take. From a Detroit drone team.
Read the guide →PhotographyGoogle Business Profile Photos and Video: A Playbook for Detroit Businesses
Google Business Profile photo and video specs, a shot list for Detroit businesses, how often to refresh, and why geotagging photos will not help ranking.
Read the guide →DroneHiring a Drone Pilot in Michigan: 8 Things to Check First
What to verify before hiring a drone pilot in Michigan: Part 107 status, recurrent training, insurance, Remote ID, airspace, portfolio, rights and contract.
Read the guide →DroneHow to Prepare a Property or Venue for a Drone Shoot
A drone shoot prep checklist for Detroit properties and venues: permissions, permits, flight restrictions, light, shot lists, day-of setup and seasonal notes.
Read the guide →IndustryMarketing a Detroit Development From Groundbreaking to Lease-Up
A phase-by-phase marketing plan for Detroit developments: renderings and site aerials, monthly drone progress, model units, leasing launch and stabilization.
Read the guide →PhotographyRestaurant and Food Photography in Detroit: Cost, Shot List and How to Prep
What restaurant and food photography costs in Detroit, a full shot list, how to prep the kitchen and food, where to use the images and what rights to ask for.
Read the guide →PricingHow Much Does Video Production Cost in Detroit? (2026 Guide)
What video production costs in Detroit in 2026, from social clips to commercials: crew-day math, editing, talent, music, permits and how to budget.
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