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Read First: If you are interested in joining our Network please check our Unassigned Cities list for availability then return to this page. Even if a city is already taken, I am accepting back-up applications from individuals who will be contacted should the existing member for that city resign or be dismissed from the Network. Network Description: The North American Dispatch Photographers Network, hereinafter referred to as "Network", is a 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 and the Network is essentially an advertising vehicle for its members. I act as the Network Administrator. 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. The Network members strive to offer quick response on-site digital photography services in a fairly consistent manner. Generally our fees range between $35-$50 per hour with a 2 to 3 hour minimum. However, some of our members prefer to price their services based on the specific requirements of each job. Many of our members also offer traditional photographic services at different price points. For the prospective member, the benefit of joining this Network is the exposure you get to customers anywhere in the world who need photographic services in your city. This Network connects you with customers near and far.
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. As with any
form of paid advertising there is no guarantee that participating in this
Network will yield you any return on your investment. However, past experience shows that being a Network member increases the probability of obtaining paid photo gigs (see
Advertising). We have several clients who use our Network members and we are
working hard to expand our customer base. Members are not required to pay a
commission to me or any other Network member for photo gigs they obtain as a
result of being a Network member.
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 listed below. You also establish your own terms, conditions
and details outlining your services. As a member, you are encouraged to advertise your
Dispatch Photography Services in your
geographical area using
Craigslist. You
may also advertise in other mediums your choosing.
Be a fairly competent photographer.
Have a good quality digital camera or
cameras (6 megapixel or better) with wide angle and
telephoto lens capability. Camera mounted flash units and/or
external flash units are recommended.
A desktop computer with a high
speed Internet connection is required. A laptop computer with Wi-Fi capability
is recommended but not required.
Be responsive to prospective
customers seeking your services or referrals forwarded to you by
other Network members.
Be willing to provide this kind of photo service
to clients at a suggested fee ranging from $35 to $50 per hour with release of the digital photos to the
customer without copyright restrictions. Stipulating a 2 to 3 hour
minimum is recommended. Optionally you may choose to price your
services based on the specific requirements of each job keeping in
mind the Network's goal of providing customers with a lower cost
alternative to traditional photographer's fees.
Be able to provide quick response
service to your customers in as little as two hours.
Having a Webpage advertising your Dispatch Photo Services
is strongly recommended but not required.
I provide new
members, free of charge, a template for creating a one page Website. If members do publish a Dispatch
Photography 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.
Members are strongly encouraged to
periodically post a
Craigslist Ad advertising their service for as long as they are a
member. The Ad copy and
instructions will be provided to the member. See
Advertising.
A PayPal account is strongly recommended but not required.
Reciprocate with other Network
members and the Network Administrator by sharing referrals.
Cooperate with the Network
Administrator and other Network
members on special projects for regional and national clients. As long as members continue to meet the responsibilities listed above and pay their membership dues, they will be considered "Members in Good Standing". As such they may keep their assigned city or geographical area for as long as they wish. Members who fail to meet these responsibilities risk being removed from the Network.
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 $25. Upon receipt of the listing fee and membership dues, your contact information will be
included on the Members page of the Website. 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. Exclusivity: One of the founding principles of this Network is that members not compete with one another, therefore I limit each city and its surrounding areas to one representative. However, larger metropolitan areas may, at my discretion, be divided into two or more geographical areas. The placement and the proximity of members to one another is a key issue. Even if a city is already taken, I am accepting back-up applications from individuals who will be contacted should the existing member for that city resign from the Network. Members must live and work within the area they represent. All surrounding suburbs are included in the member's exclusive area. For example, I cover the Dallas/Ft. Worth area of Texas which covers dozens of other smaller cities all considered part of the metro area. Another consideration is whether Craigslist has established a particular city as a separate city listing on their Website. Most likely I would not name a person from a smaller city or town if it was not listed as a separate Craigslist city. 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.
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
requirements spelled
out above, please send an email to me at
tim@dispatchphoto.com
including the following 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 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 Prerequisites For Membership or Member Responsibilities they risk being removed from the Network. |
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Administrator - DispatchPhoto.com North American Dispatch Photographers Network Headquartered in Dallas, TX (Central Time Zone) Office Ph: 972-393-0266, Cell Ph: 972-849-9379 If I don't answer the office number call my cell. (No late hour calls please) Email: tim@dispatchphoto.com My Dispatch Photo Website |
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