Your customers are constantly on their phones. Your message should be too.
Visual proof, collected by SMS
Photo Replies turns your existing SMS workflow into an image collection tool. You send an outbound message asking contacts to reply with a photo, and the images arrive directly in your MessageWorks Inbox — automatically matched to the sender's contact record.
There's no app for your contacts to install and no link for them to follow. They reply just as they would to any picture message, using the messages app already on their phone.
Photo Replies works on all MMS-capable Australian handsets — which is virtually every smartphone currently in use. Images are stored on Australian servers, linked to the sender's record, and available for individual download or bulk ZIP export.
- Works on every modern Australian smartphone — no app required
- Images automatically matched to sender's contact record
- Download photos individually or as a bulk ZIP
- Auto-forward incoming photos to an email address
- Stored on Australian servers — encrypted and access-controlled
- Timestamped records for audit and compliance purposes
Industries using Photo Replies
Any situation where a picture is worth a thousand words — and faster than a phone call.
Insurance Claim Damage Photos
Ask claimants to photograph damage right from the scene. Images arrive in your inbox matched to their contact record — no forms, no email chains.
Property Inspection Reports
Property managers can SMS tenants asking for condition photos. Images are timestamped and stored securely, building a clear audit trail.
Proof of Delivery Confirmation
Drivers photograph the delivered parcel at the door and reply with the image. Instant visual confirmation matched to the customer record.
Photo Competition Entries
Run a photo competition via SMS. Entrants snap their best shot and text it in. All entries collect in one place, ready to judge.
Before-and-After Service Documentation
Tradespeople and service teams photograph job sites before they start and after they finish — creating professional records without extra paperwork.
Remote Field Staff Reporting
Field teams in remote locations can photo-report site conditions, equipment issues, or progress updates — no Wi-Fi or app required.
Council Maintenance & Infrastructure Reports
Allow residents to photograph damaged footpaths, broken street furniture, graffiti, or other public infrastructure issues and submit them by SMS reply. Every report arrives matched to the sender with a timestamp — ready to action or forward to the relevant team.
Completed Forms & ID Document Submission
Ask customers or clients to photograph a signed form, a completed application, or an ID document and reply by SMS. Images arrive in your inbox linked to their contact record — no email, no scanning, no chasing required. Ideal for onboarding, compliance checks, and insurance verification.
How Photo Replies works
Four steps from send to stored — for you and your contacts.
Send an SMS asking for a photo
Send a standard outbound SMS to your contact — or a group of contacts — asking them to reply with a photo. Plain language, no special instructions needed.
Contact photographs and replies
The contact opens their standard messages app, takes or selects a photo, and replies. No app to download, no account to create — it works exactly like sending a picture message to a friend.
Image arrives matched to their record
The photo lands in your MessageWorks Inbox automatically linked to the sender's contact record. You can see who sent it, when, and in response to which message.
Download individually or in bulk
Save a single image with one click, or use the Download All button to grab every photo from a campaign as a ZIP file — ready for your records, claims system, or client report.
FAQ's
Common questions about collecting photos via SMS.
Start collecting photos via SMS today
Set up a Photo Replies campaign in minutes and start receiving images from your contacts — no technical expertise required.
$45/month add-on · 3c per link sent · See full pricing