Here’s why you should use PurplePort for your shoot communications

Keeping your shoot communications on PurplePort is something we strongly recommend. Sending replies to messages on PurplePort costs nothing. Even if you have a free account, replying to messages on PurplePort doesn't affect your ‘new message’ quota. 

Whilst we suggest you use PurplePort for your shoot communications, we understand that sometimes there are reasons to contact someone offsite, or you may need to request alternative contact details as part of your due diligence process. 

For example, you may need another contact method for someone if you wish to send funds in advance for a photoshoot (e.g. a shoot deposit, payment, travel fees, etc.). Or you may need to exchange phone numbers with someone you have booked a photoshoot (with in case of an emergency, such as if you get lost or your car breaks down on the way to the shoot). 

Below are some key reasons for using PurplePort for your shoot communications.

It helps us to resolve disputes quickly

Sometimes, things go wrong on a shoot. We don't take sides. Instead, we look at the evidence we have in front of us and make a decision.

If shoot communications get taken off PurplePort, we have no verifiable evidence to look into, which makes it devilishly difficult to resolve a dispute.

We can accept screenshots of offsite shoot communications and other supporting evidence (which you can upload to a support ticket so we can see them). However, this can become complicated and lengthen the dispute process (especially if multiple platforms are involved, different names/aliases are used, the date and time are not visible in the screenshots, etc.). 

We take swift action on inappropriate messages or requests

Once in a while, you may receive an inappropriate message or request from a PurplePort member that you need to report. 

If it's a message on PurplePort, you can easily report it, and we can act swiftly. The quickest way to report a message on PurplePort is by viewing the message and clicking Report (under the message). 

For messages or requests that occur outside of PurplePort (e.g. email, text message, social media message, etc.), we must see evidence of these before acting on them. You need to take screenshots of the communications and upload them to a support ticket so we can see them. Sometimes, we need to see the whole conversation (or full communications), and taking screenshots of these can become a long-winded, tedious process.

Leaving a short-notice cancellation or no-show is simple

It is disappointing when someone you arrange a shoot with cancels the shoot with less than 72 hours notice or does not show up.

You will want to leave them either a Cancelled with less than 72 hours notice or Did not show up reference (depending on which is appropriate), which is a straightforward process if all of the communications are on PurplePort. If the other person disputes the reference, we can see from your shoot communications on PurplePort that you left them an appropriate reference (and the reference won’t be deleted).

However, we must delete the reference if your shoot communications happened off PurplePort. We cannot say there was ever a booked shoot without seeing evidence of one.

You can dispute a reference deletion and provide evidence of your offsite communications, but this will take longer than if you kept your shoot discussions on PurplePort. 

FAQs

What if I want to send images to someone who is not on PurplePort?

There are plenty of places you can host images. DropBox has a generous free allowance, and you can send a sharing link to anyone, even if they don't have a Dropbox account.

What should I do if someone wants to take communications off PurplePort (e.g. email, phone, text, social media, etc.)?

Tell them you want to keep all shoot discussions (especially pre-shoot communications) on PurplePort, as it's the main platform you use for arranging photoshoots. You could say it's confusing to have stuff scattered over many services. 

However, if you decide to take shoot communications off PurplePort, always keep a record of what you discussed and ideally reiterate this in a message to that person on PurplePort. You can use this to remind yourself about crucial information for your shoot and as evidence if you ever need a shoot dispute resolved. 

What if someone asks for a phone number in case I get lost?

Swapping telephone numbers (e.g., in case of an emergency) should only be done if you feel comfortable doing so. You could use a cheap pay-as-you-go phone to arrange photoshoots and treat it as your work phone.

Exchanging phone numbers usually happens only after a shoot is arranged (rather than used to arrange a shoot), but some people may use a phone conversation as part of their due diligence process. 

Is this a way to make everyone upgrade to PurplePort VIP?

Not at all. Replying to existing messages does not count towards your free account ‘new message’ quota.

I have a free account. Can I still reply to messages?

Yes, you can. If you have a free account, replying to messages on PurplePort doesn't affect your ‘new message’ quota. 

I'm stuck and need help. What can I do? 

We're here to help. You can contact us anytime by creating a support ticket from our Help & Support page.