Another great way of making money using your digital camera is to become a Field Service Representative. A lot of large companies, particularly insurance companies, banks, and financial institutions, require photographic evidence when their customers purchase insurance, loans or leases online.

And that is where you come in. You contract to as many field service companies as you can handle. Field Service companies are hired by those insurance companies and banks to provide photographic information and reports. The field service companies in turn hire you to do the legwork in your local area and take the photos. All you do is travel to the location they specify, take photos of the asset (house, boat, car etc), and sometimes fill out a form.

Income Potential

Each assignment takes between 5-15 minutes and you receive anywhere from $25 to $100 for each one. Considering you can complete 10 assignments or more each and every day, you can see how the income potential of this business can stack up.

What you need

This is the minimum equipment you’ll need to start as a field service representitive:
- A Digital Camera with flash
- A Phone (a fax is preferable but not required)
- A Computer with Internet access
- Transportation to and from assignments
- Odds and ends like a clipboard and tape measure

You will also need to be over 18, and have basic computer and photographic skills. If you’ve followed my photo tips, you’ll be fine.

How it works

You will receive assignments from field service companies you offer your services to. You can choose to accept or reject each assignment. Once you accept an assignment, you need to complete it in the time arranged to keep your good name.

There is no need for an office, as you won’t meet the people you accept your assignments from. Remember the reason they are hiring YOU is you are in an area where they need a local person. It’s too expensive for them to send reps around the country just to take a photo or two.

Some assignments will be to simply photograph an asset (like the house to the right) and fill out a form. Other assignments require you to measure rooms, equipment, or vacant land. Sometimes you will be asked to ensure that a property is rented, and ask a few questions of the tenant. Remember you don’t need to accept all assignments. If you are not comfortable talking to strangers, you don’t need to accept those jobs. However these are the ones that pay more so I recommend you give it a try.

You send your photos and forms back to the field service company, who will in turn send to the company requesting the information (the bank, or insurance company). It’s as simple as that!

This business is dependent on work being available. Not all companies will have work for you every day. However, you can sign up as the local rep for multiple field service companies! There are over 100 of these companies in existence, so chances are you will find plenty of work on each day.

It’s also helpful to know that these companies are always looking for new reps. There aren’t enough photographers to meet the need!

And as I said, you don’t have to accept jobs if you don’t want to. You can pick and choose jobs and work only a few days a week; or only in the mornings. You choose your hours. Note that the fewer jobs you knock back (particularly the higher paying ‘rush jobs’), the more valuable you are to these companies and the more work they will send your way. You’ll become their ‘go to person’ for your area.

How to Start

On the Internet! A good place to start is the DMOZ Field Service Directory. Contact these companies and offer your services either by calling them or via their website.

Another resource is Field Inspector. This is a private yahoo group that advertises job opportunities from field service companies who are hiring.

Further Information

There are always more tips to help you become more successful with each money making opportunity, and becoming a field service representative is no different. As with all my ‘cash with your camera’ tips, I recommend a product that will give you much more information than I have the space to give here. I have purchased these products and ensure they include valuable information and provide good value for money.

Today I recommend Easy Photo Biz. This is an ebook that will give you step by step instructions in setting up as a field service representative including what to expect, how best to contact the field service companies, plus a list of over 100 companies who want your services. The ebook also includes example forms you can use with your own business.

This ebook is written for US citizens, but as these types of photos are needed world-wide, you should be able to translate the information to any country. Note that local laws will vary.

Next Time: Your own no-hassle ‘rebel’ photography business