These days there is unspoken pressure to share all the special moments online, including birthdays, graduations, engagements and more.
However, not everyone has the skills to take high quality photos, and people often can't themselves get distracted and snap the perfect shot. Hiring a professional photographer is an option, but it is not always feasible in a short period of time.
This is where social agents intervene. The upcoming location-based gig app opened its waitlist on Wednesday, allowing users to sign up for services designed for last-minute photo requests.
The app connects users with trained photographers, videographers and content creators to match their same day needs, ensuring special moments are captured. Additionally, the company targets beauty, fashion and hospitality brands that require short-term product shots.
A big promise? A social agent gig worker or “agent” arrives within 30 minutes, just like calling an Uber.
The social agent is the brainchild of Lisa Jamal and is supported by co-founders Brooke Levy and Jeff Tobler. Jamal is the founder of the Social Intelligence Agency and works with well-known clients such as Disney Channel, Recording Academy, and TV Academy.
Image credit: Shawn Kaleky/Cosmic Design
It is its on-demand services that distinguish social agents from competitors. Imagine sitting at brunch with friends and hiring someone to deliver professionally edited photos before you finish paying your bill.
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When you hire an agent, users can book sessions for between $65 and $120 for 60 minutes for 30 minutes. The package offers options for photo or video content, including 10-15 images or 5-10 short videos, perfect for platforms like Instagram Reels and Tiktok.
RAW, unedited content will be delivered within 15 minutes of the event, with users having the option to purchase an editing service starting at $30. Editing takes several hours, the company claims.
There is an additional service charge of about $5, as shown in the demonstrations we observed.
Other features include the ability for users to upload their own photos for editing while on the go, the option to book an agent in advance, and the “payment” option where a group of friends wants to easily split costs.
Image credit: Shawn Kaleky/Cosmic Design
The key advantages of this service are its speed and affordability. Social agents offer more budget-friendly options, in contrast to traditional services that charge more than $100, or even more than $1,000, depending on the duration of the filming.
For comparison, the closest competitor appears to be SNAPPR. This is a marketplace where users can book photographers with just 2 hours of notification. SNAPPR has promised to deliver edited photos within 48 hours, with prices starting at $60 for a 30-minute session.
However, the low starting prices of social agents can confuse some people. When Uber first launched, taxi drivers were unhappy with having to compete with new companies that had significantly fewer similar services and offered paid drivers at lower wages. Photographers may have similar reactions to social agents.
Nevertheless, the company says the app is designed only for side hustles, allowing agents to fill their downtime and get paid quickly. Plus, they will set their own prices and have stronger control over their revenues.
Apps like social agents are entering the market to take advantage of the growing gig economy. This change is happening as the full-time job market slows down. Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that around 4.9 million people are doing part-time gigs because they can't find stable jobs.
Image credit: Shawn Kaleky/Cosmic Design
When an agent applies to join the platform, they undergo an ID verification and background check process. The accepted agent must then complete a series of training modules containing tasks such as editing photos within the specified time frame.
From an agent's perspective, the app offers an attractive interface where you can press the green button to start daily missions and requests, and then press the red button to end the session. According to the founders, the app aims to introduce more gamification, including providing agents with an additional $100 incentive to complete 10 missions.
From a safety standpoint, users will be provided with a security code that agents must share upon arrival to verify their identity. Additionally, the parties have the option to report concerns if anything is felt during the interaction. Agents are rated from 5 stars based on performance.
“Social agents are focused on really building trust between agents and clients,” Jamal said. “The trust factor is everything and we did an amazing job of thinking about every detail. We know that it's a great privilege to be invited into someone else's intimate space, whether it's B2B or B2C.”
The app will be released in June on the App Store and will initially be available in Los Angeles. According to the company, the social agents are equipped with nearly 100 LA-based content creators, many of which come from backgrounds in photography, videography and digital content.
The company will also expand to New York City, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Nashville and Scottsdale. Additionally, plans are in place for future international expansion.
The long-term roadmap includes developing in-app editing tools. This is part of a $10 per month subscription that also offers unlimited storage and other premium features.
Social agents have secured a total of $2 million in funding from family and friends.