🧭 Purpose of this guideline

Welcome to your DoorDash At-Home Session session! This guide provides a clear, step-by-step overview of the entire process to help you complete your session smoothly, professionally, and in full compliance with all requirements.

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Please note that if you photograph the same Merchant for multiple clients, the photos must be different for legal reasons.

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‼Important Information‼

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🔍 What Is This Project?

This is a flexible, at-home food photography session. You’ll receive a DoorDash voucher to order or pick up food from a designated Merchant, photograph it at home, and keep the food after submitting your images.

✅ BEFORE Accepting the session

1. Confirm Delivery Eligibility
   • Open the DoorDash app and verify if the assigned Merchant delivers to your address.
   • If not, you’ll need to pick up the order (using the voucher).
2. Check Merchant Hours
   • Use both the DoorDash app and Google Maps to confirm the Merchant’s opening hours.
   • Make sure it’s open on the day you plan to schedule your session. Once scheduled, your session date is locked in.

📅 AFTER Accepting – Schedule the session To Receive Voucher

• Set Your session Date & Time
  • Choose a session date and time within a MAX of 3 days after accepting the session.
  • You must session and upload on this exact scheduled date.
• Voucher Availability (⏱️ 2 hours before)
  • Your DoorDash voucher will appear 2 hours before your scheduled session time — directly in the session description.
  • Important: If you open the DoorDash app before the requested order, the voucher amount may auto-apply. To avoid issues, untick “Apply Voucher” on any personal orders.
  • Voucher is:
    • Single-use
    • Time-limited (visible around the session window)
    • Tied to a specific Merchant

🍽️ PLACING YOUR ORDER

1. Order Only What’s Listed
   • Refer to the itemized dish list in your session description.
   • Do NOT order:
     • Beverages
     • Add-ons or extras
     • Unlisted items
2. Unavailable or Already Photographed Items
   • If an item is unavailable or already has a DoorDash photo, choose a main or side dish without a photo. Use your best judgment.

🧾 VOUCHER USAGE RULES

• Use the voucher only for the assigned items and within the session window.
• Use one of the suggested tip amounts at checkout.
• Do not activate/use the voucher until you’re ready to place the session order.
• Do NOT use the voucher for personal purchases — always verify “Apply Voucher” is unticked on non-session orders.
• If a voucher does not work, OCUS will not reimburse ICs for any out-of-pocket payments. The assignment should be blocked instead.
• You are not permitted to use vouchers from one project on a different project.

⚠️ Misuse (personal orders, excessive tips, unrelated items, or using it outside the session window) is considered fraud and may lead to removal from the platform and legal action.

🥡 DELIVERY OR PICKUP

• Delivery is allowed only if the Merchant delivers to your address.
• Otherwise, pick up the order using the voucher.
• No need to call the Merchant.

💵 PAYMENT

• The cost of the food is covered using a voucher provided by DoorDash. This voucher is intended solely for ordering the assigned items from the designated Merchant.
• You will be paid for the session the price indicated for this photo session of 10 images in the session page, following standard payment schedule via payoneer
• If any unexpected charges arise at checkout (such as delivery fees or taxes not covered by the voucher), do not place the order and contact OCUS immediately for support.
• Taxes: The voucher will credit the FULL order amount on the DoorDash app, covering the food cost, taxes, DoorDash fees, driver fee, and tip if it's a delivery.
• Each session should include:

  • Between 05 and 25 dish photos

    (The exact number of items may vary depending on the session. Only session what is required — even if it's less than 20.)

  • 1 composition (hero) shot

📸 DURING THE session

1. Plating
   • Use simple, clean, at-home plating.
2. Photo Quality
   • Follow standard DoorDash photography and lighting guidelines.
   • Frame the food clearly and professionally.
3. Labeling
   • Label each image with the exact dish name as listed on the DoorDash menu.
   • Do not use the description — only the main name.
4. Timing

🔼 AFTER THE session

1. Upload Photos
2. Voucher Visibility

❌ IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG

• Issue with the Merchant?
• Voucher not working?

📩 Submit a Support Request

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🆘 Troublesessioning

I can’t see my voucher yet.

• The voucher becomes visible 2 hours before your scheduled session time. If you’re within that window and still don’t see it, don’t place the order and contact OCUS support.

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📸 Photography equipment needed

Food photography equipment (3)

👨‍💻 session Details

• Once you receive the order, remove it from the packaging and place it on proper tableware for photography.
• Ensure all items have the correct names, exactly as they appear on the menu.
• Upload the photos immediately after the session.

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✅ Acceptable Tableware ✅

❌ Unacceptable Tableware❌

Categories of photos needed