RE: FAA Policy for UAS Operations
Well I'm sure the FAA is not targeting modelers who want to go in business, but they should set some kind of guideline seeing that aerial photography can and is most likely done in areas that can be hazardous or out of the ordinary. Not too many people need to have photos taken of their flying site, why would someone have to pay someone else for that? Bottom line, technology has finally caught up with RC airplanes ...... errr UA's.
But it's like anything else, you can take full advantage of having this special permit/license. If you hold this license you won't be undercut in price or service by someone who does not hold it. You can plainly advertise your business as a fully licensed and insured aerial photographer in plain site. Where the person who tries to do it without will not be able to advertise plainly. Being a "fully licensed" photographer will increase your customers desire to utilize your services instead of someone who "thinks" they know what it takes to photograph in a location which could be hazardous.
Being in business either big or small always has it's operational issues to deal with. Making money is never simple but since the advancements of UA's, you can still make money at, in fact even more thanks to some of the cool toys they have out there. It's just you have to deal with issues like this on the flip side. But those flip side issues can be to your advantage, just have to know how to take advantage of them.
Private pilots have been dealing with this for many years now. We can't hold a camera out a window and shoot a photo if we are going to get paid for it. That is only available to the person who took the time to get his/her commercial license. Why ... so that people who want to make it a business, won't be undercut by a recreational or private. It protects the person that earned his/her rating and should be rewarded for taking the extra step.
I would still pursue your business dreams for you and your son. How bad could it really be to obtain the license? Just take advantage of the situation. Get licensed, get insured and put a marketing package together that will scare your competitors away. Also you now have a reason to charge more for your services seeing a special license is required. It will all work itself out.