Celeste,
I'm a sUAS (small unmanned aircraft system) pilot for the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. I fly over natural areas quite frequently and conduct habitat & invasive species assessments, high-resolution orthophotos, and 3D models of rock outcrops. The biggest challenge when flying is how to master panning your camera to create smooth transitions. I'm still struggling with this and it definitely is an art that takes a lot of practice. Personally, I like the open source technology available in the UAV industry. I'm currently building my own UAV and found that ecalc was super helpful to run simulations with different parts (if you want to pursue this route). I have always had success with the Pixhawk PX4 autopilot system and I'd just read reviews on the other parts you want to buy if you custom build a UAV, as some parts are low quality.
If you are looking for a prefabricated UAV, the DJI Mavic Pro has been a popular choice for multirotors and the Parrot Bebop for plane-type UAV. Yuneec has also been an up-and-coming brand which I've read a lot of good reviews about. I personally don't like the DJI line since there is little room for customization and modification, but that's just a personal bias of mine. The best camera I found on the market that does the most for size if you have the budget is the Parrot Sequoia. The rig I'm building is designed for low-level aerial imagery and map generation, so I plan to use a Canon S110 or S120 with the CHDK modification which has a higher resolution sensor, but does less than the Parrot Sequoia.
If you can, I'd strongly encourage joining an RC hobby group near your area, as their experience will come in handy when you begin to learn to fly. I use the Realflight 7.5 simulator to practice over winter and keep my skills sharp, and that would definitely be a low-cost, low-risk way to get experience.
I hope this helps to answer your question.
Best,
Cody
