# FirstHand: Earn and Capture

> Get paid to capture real-world data like photos, audio, and video for AI companies. (iPhone/iPad app by James Shin.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/firsthand-earn-and-capture/id6761622132 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [James Shin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1879849473)
- Category: Business, Lifestyle
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.0 · 8 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-04-11
- Data updated: 2026-08-22
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/firsthand-earn-and-capture/id6761622132/reviews.md

## What is FirstHand?

Companies building AI products need real-world data: photos of store shelves, audio recordings in noisy environments, video of everyday scenarios. Stock media does not work. Synthetic data does not work. They need files captured by real people in real places.

That is where you come in.

FirstHand connects you directly with companies that will pay you to capture photos, record audio, and shoot video using your iPhone. No applications, no interviews, no waiting for approval. Sign up, browse available jobs, and start earning immediately.

HOW IT WORKS

1. Browse Jobs
Open the app and see what companies are looking for right now. "Take a clear photo of your kitchen sink." "Record 30 seconds of ambient room sound." "Shoot a 15-second video walkthrough of your living room." Each job shows exactly what is needed, how many files are still open, and what you will earn.

2. Capture and Submit
Accept a job, capture the content with your phone's camera or microphone, and upload. The entire process takes 1-3 minutes for a photo, 2-5 minutes for audio or video.

3. Get Your Score
Every submission is scored by a multi-model AI ensemble — not a human reviewer sitting in a queue. You see your 1-5 star rating with detailed feedback in under 15 seconds. The AI tells you exactly what worked and what did not: "image is well-lit and centered" or "audio contains too much background noise — try a quieter room."

4. Get Paid
Files scoring 3 stars or higher are automatically approved. You earn 80% of the price per file — the platform takes 20%. Withdraw to your bank account anytime with a $10 minimum via Stripe direct deposit.

WHAT MAKES FIRSTHAND DIFFERENT

No human review queue. AI scores your work in seconds, not hours. You know immediately whether you earned money or need to try again.

Transparent earnings. You see exactly what you will earn before accepting any job. No hidden fees, no deductions, no surprises.

Quality earns priority. Maintain an 80%+ approval rate and you see new jobs 5 minutes before everyone else. The best workers get first access to the highest-paying jobs.

Real feedback. When your submission is rejected, the AI tells you why — "photo is blurry," "wrong subject," "audio too short." You can retry with a better file.

Fair strike policy. Three 1-star submissions result in account suspension. This keeps the platform fair for everyone and ensures companies get quality files.

WHAT KIND OF JOBS?

Photos: kitchen appliances, storefronts, handwritten notes, product packaging, mailboxes, street signs, workspaces, shoes by the door.

Audio: ambient room sound, spoken directions, morning routine descriptions, pet sounds, coffee-making narration, verbal room descriptions.

Video: room walkthroughs, hand-waving clips, pet videos, product demonstrations, commute footage.

Jobs pay $0.10 to $5.00+ per approved file. Top workers earn $300-500 per month from 15-20 minutes of work per day.

"I take photos during my commute and lunch breaks. Last month I earned $380 just from photos of street signs and storefronts. It is the most honest gig work I have found." — Marcus, Chicago

## Key features

- Capture photos, audio, and video
- AI-powered instant scoring
- Direct bank account payouts
- Browse and accept jobs instantly
- Real-time feedback on submissions
- Priority access for high-quality workers


## Frequently asked questions about FirstHand

### How does FirstHand work?

FirstHand connects you with companies needing real-world data. You browse jobs, capture photos, audio, or video using your phone, and submit. AI scores your work instantly, and approved submissions are paid.

### What kind of jobs are available on FirstHand?

Jobs involve capturing various types of real-world data, including photos of everyday objects and scenes, audio recordings of ambient sounds and descriptions, and videos of walkthroughs or actions.

### How quickly will I get paid by FirstHand?

Approved submissions are automatically paid. You can withdraw your earnings to your bank account anytime with a $10 minimum via Stripe direct deposit.

### Does FirstHand have ads?

FirstHand is ad-free, allowing you to focus on completing tasks and earning without interruptions.

### What is the minimum payout amount for FirstHand?

The minimum amount you can withdraw to your bank account via Stripe direct deposit is $10.

### How does FirstHand's AI scoring work?

An AI ensemble scores your submissions in under 15 seconds, providing a 1-5 star rating and detailed feedback on what worked or didn't work, such as lighting or background noise.

### Can I retry a job if my submission is rejected by FirstHand?

Yes, if your submission is rejected, the AI provides specific feedback (e.g., 'photo is blurry') allowing you to retry with a better file.

### What devices does FirstHand support?

FirstHand is currently supported on iPhones.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.0 — 2026-04-12

No release notes.

## More apps by James Shin

- [Vitality Weeks](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vitality-weeks/id6759621537)

All apps by James Shin: https://appshunter.io/developer/1879849473

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-22.*
