Interesting idea, low pay and you do not retain copyright.
Network Description:
The North American Dispatch Photographers Network, hereinafter referred to as "Network", is a voluntary cooperative referral network of independent photographers. We are photographers in cities and towns across North America who have joined together to collectively market our services to companies and individuals domestically and internationally. Each member photographer is a separate business entity. This Website is ostensibly an advertising vehicle for Network members. The Network, as such, is not a company or business entity in itself.
Our aim is to provide customers anywhere in the world with remote photography services in the cities and towns where our members conduct their business. Our customer focus is delineated on the main page
of this Website. The Network members strive to offer quick response on-site digital photography services in a fairly consistent manner and for prices ranging between $35-$50 per hour. Many of our Network members also offer traditional photographic services at different price points. The benefit of being a Network member is the exposure you get to customers anywhere in the world who need photographic services in your city.
Being considered for Network membership is not an offer of employment nor is being a member of the Network a paid employment position. It is merely a way for existing photographers to supplement their income. I make no claims that being a Network member will provide you with a certain amount of income. However, recent experience shows that being a Network member increases the probability of obtaining paid photo gigs (see Advertising below). You are not required to pay a commission to me or any other Network member for photo gigs you obtain as a result of being a Network member.
You work with your customers directly and get paid by them directly. No payments go through me or any other Network member. To protect your privacy, you are not required to provide information to me or any Network member regarding any paid photo gigs you obtain as a result of being a Network member. The only money that Network members must pay me, the Network Administrator, is the initial listing fee and the annual membership dues. The 2008 membership dues amount to less then 50 cents per week. In return for that you get national and international exposure to customers through our advertising and Website.
I'm always looking for photographers who would be interested in joining our Network to represent North American cities not currently assigned. Each city is limited to one representative. You establish your own prices within the pricing guidelines noted in the Basic Requirements list below. You also establish your own terms, conditions and details outlining your services. You are strongly encouraged to advertise your services in your geographical area using Craigslist, your own Website and/or any other advertising medium of your choosing. Basic Requirements:. Click on this link to see the base template. If members do publish a Dispatch Photo Service Website of their own or add a dedicated page to their existing Website they are asked to include a reference and link to the DispatchPhoto.com Website.
Listing Fee:
If you are approved and willing to accept the responsibilities of being a Network member, you will be asked to pay a one time non-refundable listing fee of $20. Upon receipt of the listing fee and membership dues, your contact information will be included on the Network page for the city you will be representing. Applicants are not to send in the listing fee or membership dues unless they are approved for membership and instructed to do so. PayPal is the preferred method of payment, however, a mailed check payable to me will be acceptable.
Membership Dues:
The membership dues for 2008 are $24 covering the entire year. These dues are used to offset expenses incurred by me and other Network members who incur expenses on behalf of the Network. PayPal is the preferred method of payment. If a member leaves the Network for any reason during 2008 a prorated refund of any paid dues will be made. Dues will be prorated for new members joining in the later half of this year.
Exclusivity:
It is not the intent of this Network for members to compete with one another, therefore I limit each city to one representative. However, larger metropolitan areas may, at my discretion, be divided into two or more geographical areas. As long as members remain in good standing with the Basic Requirements listed above, they will be the exclusive Network representative for their assigned city or geographical area for as long as they wish.
Deciding to Apply or Not:
It is important that you weigh carefully your decision to apply for Membership. As noted above, being a Network member carries with it responsibilities. Meeting those responsibilities on an ongoing basis will ultimately benefit the individual member and all Network members in general. The actions of each member reflect on the entire Network. It is important that each member conduct their business dealings with their customers keeping in mind that they are a representative of the Network. Each prospective member is encouraged to chat with one or more of the existing members to get a feel for me and the Network.
Applying for Membership: If after reviewing this information, you understand the benefits of being a Network member and are willing to fulfill all of the Basic Requirements spelled out above, please send an email to me (im@purpura.com) including the following four items:
Feel free to call me if you have any questions prior to submitting your application.
Member Selection:
As founder and administrator of this list, I reserve the right to determine who becomes a member of this Network. I screen, by email, all candidates expressing an interest in joining the Network. Final candidates are interviewed by telephone. I select who, in my opinion, is the best candidate who meets or exceeds the Basic Requirements listed above. Additional consideration is given to those expressing a desire to help promote the Network for the benefit of all members. I do this on behalf of prospective customers seeking photographic services. However, I cannot be held responsible for the actions or inactions of those on the list. If a Network member becomes unresponsive and fails to meet one or more of the Basic Requirements they risk being removed from the list.
Advertising:
Advertising the North American Dispatch Photographers Network is a joint effort on the part of all members. Each member is responsible for advertising their Dispatch Photo Services and the Network using Craigslist postings. This approach is not only cost effective since posting ads on Craigslist is free but becomes more powerful the more members join the Network. An advertisement similar to the one shown below is currently running in member cities as well as other cities across North America not currently represented by members. Any prospective customer seeing any of these ads is only 2 clicks away from finding the Network member in the city where they need something photographed.
I spoke to someone there and they said they did a lot of work for Google earth of building, etc. IMHO I think Google can afford to pay going rates. But they were smart and found this company.
