Jobs with Insurance companies

[djb28]

I was thinking about working as an insurance photographer. Cars, Homes,property, etc. As i started looking online about it, Like everything else, I am trying to sift through the Bull. I dont know whats real and whats a scam. How do i go about getting work like this? Do i need an online class. A college course? Just own a camera? lol.
Anyone with experience I would be glad to get your advice.

Really? Insurance photographer as in, documenting the junk people own?

Seems... err... rather shallow and like any schmoe with a disposable camera could do it.

[djb28]

This Schmoe and his business is hurting and I have a kid and a Home to pay for. Just trying to keep a camera in my hand. While im out doing that work I can still find awesome shots for my own business wherever travels may take me and who ever i meet.. Do what you ( "I") gotta do.

Originally Posted by djb28

This Schmoe and his business is hurting and I have a kid and a Home to pay for. Just trying to keep a camera in my hand. While im out doing that work I can still find awesome shots for my own business wherever travels may take me and who ever i meet.. Do what you ( "I") gotta do. And I never went to Harvard.

I never went to Harvard either, but what you just proposed doesn't seem like it would be legit.

We are all in the same boat here man, bills, kids, cars...etc... you aren't special.

~Eric


PS - Nice edit btw.

[UlpilotSC]

Originally Posted by djb28

I was thinking about working as an insurance photographer. Cars, Homes,property, etc. As i started looking online about it, Like everything else, I am trying to sift through the Bull. I dont know whats real and whats a scam. How do i go about getting work like this? Do i need an online class. A college course? Just own a camera? lol.
Anyone with experience I would be glad to get your advice.

It seems like there would be two ways "insurance photography" would be needed; preincident and post. Any homeowner with a point and shoot can document their own crap. Ive never had a company offer to take photos.
The other thing is post incident photography - after a fire or an accident. Mostly those are going to be ex firemen or highway patrolmen. Even then they arent looking for perfect shots, more just documentation. You need education about math and physics and fire, the photography is secondary...

[Jim Bryant]

Most insurance companies and real estate companies are too damn cheap to pay for this type of services. It's best to advertise your services to prospective clients.

[UlpilotSC]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Most insurance companies and real estate companies are too damn cheap to pay for this type of services. It's best to advertise your services to prospective clients.

I'd be a bit reluctant to let someone take pictures of my stuff. Can you imagine the sales pitch?
Photographer: "that's right, i come into your home, take pictures of all your fancy stuff and it's serial numbers, Tv, PC, Blu-Ray player, Wii, etc. I'll also take pictures of all your jewelry, and I use my macro lens so all the gems and settings show up large and clear."

Home owner: "how do I know you're not a thief?"

photographer: "would a thief sell you a CD of all those pictures to you for $300?"

Homeowner: "sounds like a ripoff already...."

I took pictures of all my stuff and stored the pictures in a few different places in case I get burgled. It was quite a task, not one I would want to repeat. In a large wealthy home with a lot of stuff youre talking hours of work.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by UlpilotSC

In a large wealthy home with a lot of stuff youre talking hours of work.

hours of boring, mind numbing work.. I can't say i've ever seen an advert for a service like this. If i did it would only remind me to take my own pictures.