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Flash of hope for local photographer

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Newcastle photographer Brian Skinner has been capturing special moments from behind the lens for 37 years.

The owner of a normally thriving business, as well as Brian Design Academy of Photography, he hit trouble when the pandemic started.

Mr Skinner thought outside the square, and turned to an unlikely saviour called ‘WorkApp’, which was originally created to make life easier for tradies looking to hire casual workers in their local area, and it paid off.

“I saw the app on television so I decided to list my businesses to give it a go and I thought it must be genuine, as there’s a lot of apps that are scams and people promise you big things and deliver nothing,” he said.

“People get onto the app and look up, say photographer, and they find a number of photographers, including myself, and send a message.

“I have had so many contacts and leads, my business is secured.

“It kept me going, it’s a godsend to have an income coming in.”

WorkApp Chief Executive and Founder, Shane Wallace, said WorkApp was offering a different avenue of advertising for businesses that simply couldn’t afford ads or commissions on sales.

“COVID has led to the biggest number of WorkApp downloads, 3,000 in a day, with nearly 200,000 people using the app,” Mr Wallace said.

“Month-on-month, we’re seeing the numbers double.”

The idea for the app came about when Mr Wallace’s brother, who works in construction, had a labourer call in sick at the last minute. 

“After a frantic search in the local street, he not only found someone to do the job, but the idea for this concept was born,” he said.

Mr Skinner believe that, without the app, his business would no longer exist.

“I wouldn’t have an income, I would be broke and out of business,” he said.

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