Earlier this year while browsing the Google Play Store for photo editing apps I came across the ProxyPics app. After reading the app description, I was curious if there was in work in my area, so I decided to try it out.
With ProxyPics, I get work orders to go to an address and photograph a property during the day or night. For nighttime excursions, I photograph exterior lighting like lampposts, landscape lights, and illuminated signs.
Sometimes, I’ll get an order to deliver a confidential letter to a resident. If they’re not home, I stick the letter in the doorjamb and take a picture of it and the house for confirmation.
If there are “No Trespassing” signs up, I take a picture and go home.
Some orders require a background check to accept, but you can still use the app without doing the background checks if you don’t want to go through the hassle or don’t trust giving your details to a 3rd party. Data breaches are a common occurrence these day’s.
After each job has been reviewed and accepted, I receive a deposit to my in-app wallet.
There’s no minimum threshold for a withdrawal. I have earned $358 from a total of 26 work orders. I’ve requested 8 withdrawals since starting with ProxyPics.
This has really helped me keep a handle on my car insurance bill ($952 biannually with GEICO).
The training materials go over all the different work order types and the expectations for completion. There is a dress code; business casual.
FAQ: proxypics.com/faq
Most orders are from banks, like if someone asks for a home loan or mortgage. The bank wants confirmation of the property condition.
I’ve also done jobs where a franchise facility had work completed and the parent company wanted confirmation that everything was working properly.
Some orders will ask you to not interact with the property owner. Other orders may provide some credentials to provide security to confirm you have permission to access the facility. If there are any questions, you can provide a phone number to ProxyPics.
I’ve had some curious/suspicious home owners question me when photographing homes. It’s going to happen. That’s just the nature of the work. I’ve also been approached by mall security on another job.
I use a variation of the following to identify myself when approached:
“Hi, my name is [name], I have been contracted on behalf of [business] to perform a visual site inspection of all exterior illuminated signage at this facility. I can provide you with a phone number you can call for confirmation.”
The main thing is to clearly identify yourself and what you’re about.
If someone is curious about the app, I say it’s like Uber or DoorDash, I’m a contractor/freelancer completing small jobs.
If you’re in need of another income stream or if this sounds like a side hustle you want to try out, go ahead and download the app.
ProxyPics on Google Play Store
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