How to upload drone footage to instagram?

As a drone photographer who shares regularly on Instagram, here's my optimized workflow:Step 1: Transfer footage from drone- DJI drones: Use the DJI Fly app to download to phone- SD card: Remove card and use card reader with phone/computer- Direct transfer: Some drones have USB-C file transferStep 2: Edit for Instagram- Aspect ratio: Crop to 4:5 (portrait) or 1:1 (square) - 9:16 for Reels- Resolution: 1080p is ideal (IG compresses everything anyway)- Length: Under 60 seconds for feed, up to 90 for ReelsStep 3: Optimize file size- Compress if needed using apps like Video Compressor- Keep under 100MB for reliable uploads- Stabilize if needed - drone footage can be shakyStep 4: Upload to Instagram1. Open Instagram app2. Tap "+" icon3. Select your drone footage4. Edit with Instagram's tools or use pre-edited version5. Add caption, hashtags, and location6. Share!Pro tips:- Upload via WiFi for better quality- Use #dronephotography and related hashtags- Geotag the location for discovery- Consider Reels for vertical drone footage- Story sequences work great for multiple drone shotsRecommended editing apps:- InShot (mobile)- Adobe Premiere Rush (cross-platform)- LumaFusion (iOS, more advanced)The key is balancing quality with Instagram's compression. The platform favors vertical content, so consider shooting specifically for Instagram rather than trying to repurpose landscape footage.

I've learned through trial and error what works best for drone footage on Instagram. Here's my practical advice:What actually works vs. what should work:The reality of Instagram compression:- No matter how amazing your 4K drone footage is, Instagram will murder the quality- 1080p at 30fps seems to be the sweet spot- H.264 codec works better than H.265 for IGMy simple phone-only workflow:1. Transfer from drone to phone via app or cable2. Quick edit in CapCut or InShot (free versions work fine)3. Add music if making a Reel4. Upload directly from phone galleryCommon mistakes I made:- Trying to upload horizontal footage (gets tiny on mobile)- Files too large causing failed uploads- Over-editing - natural drone footage often looks best- Wrong hashtags - use specific drone tags instead of generic onesEngagement tips:- Behind-the-scenes shots of you flying the drone get good engagement- Transition Reels showing ground-to-air perspectives- Educational content about drone regulations in your area- Location-specific hashtags attract local followersWhat nobody tells you: The first few seconds are everything! Start with your most spectacular shot, not a slow buildup. Mobile users scroll fast, so you need to grab attention immediately with that epic aerial view.Also, Instagram's algorithm seems to favor consistent posting over sporadic amazing content, so develop a workflow that's sustainable rather than perfect!