Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Puckett.
Hi Justin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story is pretty simple. About 10 years ago, I wanted to buy a drone just for fun. Drones were still relatively new technology at the time, and a good one was a pretty significant investment. But we had a baby on the way, had just bought a house, and my wife’s response was, “Only if it can make us money.”
So, that’s how ADA Drone started.
Within about two weeks, I earned my Part 107 certification, formed an LLC, purchased my first drone, and started reaching out to local real estate agents. What started as a way to justify buying a drone quickly turned into a business.
Over the years, ADA Drone has grown far beyond real estate. I’ve had the opportunity to fly at multiple NFL and college stadiums across the country, have had my footage featured on national broadcasts, and have been fortunate enough to use my work to support numerous nonprofits and local communities.
One thing that has never changed is how I approach the business. I keep the structure simple, and I don’t try to make flashy videos just to generate clicks on social media. I believe the camera should tell the story. My job is to showcase the subject, whether that’s a home, a business, an event, or a community, and let the footage speak for itself.
What started as a way to make a drone purchase pay for itself has turned into a business that has given me opportunities I never expected.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, it has been a pretty smooth road. I don’t do this as a full-time job, and I think that’s part of why I’ve been able to enjoy it so much. Could ADA Drone be a full-time business? Absolutely. But for me, it’s more of a “hobby job,” and I really like it that way.
I get to see and experience some really unique things from a perspective most people never get to see. I meet interesting people with great stories, travel to fun places, and constantly find myself doing something different.
Of course, there are challenges. You have difficult clients, people who are uncomfortable around drones, and the occasional person who thinks the drone is tracking them or watching them. But honestly, none of that really gets to me.
At the end of the day, I’m doing something I enjoy. I get to fly, meet people, see new places, and showcase the world from a perspective that most people don’t normally get to experience. As long as I’m having fun doing it, the challenges are just part of the journey.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work with businesses, individuals, community organizations, sports teams, nonprofits, and many others to create aerial photography and videography. But over the years, I’ve found that my passion has grown beyond just the drone.
Today, I combine footage from the air and the ground to create something that tells a complete story. I use drones, handheld cameras, Meta glasses, and whatever other tools make sense for the project. The technology is really just the means to tell the story—I’m always looking for the best way to capture the subject and give people a perspective they may not normally get to experience.
Whether I’m documenting a house, 15 acres of property, a sporting event, a community project, or something completely unexpected, I approach every project differently. No two stories are the same, and that’s what keeps the work exciting for me.
What I’m most proud of is that ADA Drone has grown beyond simply taking pictures from the sky. I’ve been able to use what I do to help businesses market themselves, help communities tell their stories, give nonprofits exposure, and capture moments that people can look back on.
I think what sets me apart is that I’m not just showing up with a drone and pressing record. I’m thinking about the story, the perspective, and how all of the pieces fit together. I want people to watch something I create and feel like they were actually there.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is telling a story—not just my own, but the story behind everything I produce, share, or work on.
Anyone can fly a drone or point a camera and hit record. The technology itself isn’t what makes something interesting. What matters is what you do with the footage afterward and whether you can turn it into something that captures a viewer’s attention and makes them feel something.
For me, the goal is always to create something that makes people stop, watch, and want to know more. If I can take something ordinary, find the story behind it, and present it in a way that draws people in, then I’ve done my job.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adadronenc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdaDroneNC/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@adadrone
