Model agencies

dazzer21 · 9 May 2009 at 9:53PM

My daughter has yearned to be a model since way back when and we recently bit the bullet and assisted her in following her dreams. She used her initiative to get as far as she could and then we stepped in to help when the time was right.

To cut a long story short, it's a minefield - do not even think of looking into doing any of this without doing an immense amount of groundwork and research and preparation - you really do not have any idea who you are dealing with - it can all look legit when it plainly (with hindsight) isn't!

So, I'm going to start this by listing the companies I've used that have scammed me. Maybe we can add to this over the course of time to weedle out the rogues - God knows how much money has been fleeced by the unscrupulous companies that describe themselves as legit:

XXXX Models - not and agency but a referral service. Placed our daughter on their 'books' and promised a portfolio shoot for her. "David" was very smooth talking <a lot of the people we have since spoken to in the agency business have singled him out individually as a fraud> and arranged for a shoot to take place at;

XXXX - a company that purports to producing high quality portfolios at a price, for touting around agencies. The end results are all very nice, but none of the agencies I subsequently approached will entertain any shoots by The Blue Rooms, and would not touch any referrals from XXXX Models.

Models XXXX - Scam! Very slick outfit that promises to represent aspiring models. They demand an up-front fee to cover their admin costs for looking after the client for 3 years; no real attempt is made to locate work for them, although emails are sent out every now and again stating that their profile has been 'looked at' - there are a lot of testimonials in their favour out their, but type "Models XXXX" into your Google search and the most result come under "Models XXXX Scam"

Anything to add?

krystal-divination · 9 May 2009 at 9:58PM

thanks for posting this i will keep an eye on your thread and i do hope others will add there bad and good experiences as my daughter is interested in modelling but she has also found out about the agencies you have mentioned here.

whitewing · 9 May 2009 at 9:59PM

dazzer21, I hope you took legal advice before naming and shaming? If not, you may want to remove the content until you do? I'm not saying your content isn;t valid; just that the companies/people may not be too happy....

sporedude · 9 May 2009 at 9:59PM

I'm sure I seen this on the Real Hustle, They set up fake meetings then do a runner with your money, Never to be seen again

Volcano · 9 May 2009 at 10:38PM

This all seems to be standard scam techniques that keep cropping up every few years. The correct advice for would-be models is always the same: Get some photos done (your portfolio) for maybe £100-£150; take them around the model agencies yourself and ask for an honest opinion. If they say "It isn't going to happen" then at least you have some nice photos to look back on and you can then concentrate on another career.

Bamber19 · 9 May 2009 at 10:53PM

One way to get an idea of what agencies are genuine and which are not is to look in fashion magazines and clothing shoots from newspapers etc. Many of these will name the model and the agency she/he works for. It's safe to assume those that are actually getting work for their clients are more likely to be legit. Sadly many of these agencies wont entertain you for very long because they know exactly what they're looking for and there are hundreds of thousands of very pretty people in the UK but not that many who have all the attributes of a model.

Second piece of advice is that shoots should always be accompanied, regardless of the age of the model as there are plenty of dodgy photographers that act very strangely when it's just them and a model in a rented office space for a photo shoot.

Takoda · 10 May 2009 at 8:21AM

Model 'agencies' have been exposed on consumer programmes regularly over the years (That's Life, Watchdog, daytime TV etc) for years. A genuine agency would not ask for money up front. The couple of people I know who have made careers out of modelling were approached by an agency representative while just going about their daily lives.

Modelling, acting etc are all professions where people have big dreams and are easy targets for scamming.

hartcjhart · 10 May 2009 at 3:16PM

if you write to the 'sun' newspaper they will supply you with a list of reputable agencies

Freddie_Snowbits · 10 May 2009 at 4:23PM

First of all, look here for advice.

http://www.modelsafety.co.uk/saycheese/

My second advice is can she sit and wait around for hours? well not quite hours, but whilst the photographer adjust the set and her position. If she is always in a rush, I would not want to use her.

Thirdly, I say can she sit and wait while the marks come off her body, I guess you wear a watch? If you take it off, see how long it takes for the skin to go back to its natural softness.

Beware of agents who promise the earth and charge for it, better just to do a 'time for prints' with a camera club first, to she if she likes the limelight!

Good luck, but be very aware that she is the next face on ROGUE!

The_Ubiquitous_Mrs_Smith · 10 May 2009 at 8:25PM

You don't need an expensive professional portfolio. It doesn't really help that much either. Some good snaps taken by your mum showing head and shoulders, full body shot etc in good light and without loads of make up are just as good in most cases. Most agencies will take poloroid snaps to show their clients so a "professional portfolio" won't help that much.

If an agency asks for money, walk away. If they are any good they make money from their clients when their models get work, not from their models wanting work.

I think the other thing is to be honest with yourself and the person wanting to be a model. You cna be stunning but not be suitable for modelling. Similarly, you can be quite "quirky" but be a great model. If the person you are speaking to can't tell you what area you would be best for and claims you'll be an all rounder take it with a pinch of salt. Sometimes the most helpful people can be those who tell you that you'll only ever get work as x.

As you've said, all easy with hindsight.

Crazy_Jamie · 11 May 2009 at 11:39AM

whitewing wrote: »

dazzer21, I hope you took legal advice before naming and shaming? If not, you may want to remove the content until you do? I'm not saying your content isn;t valid; just that the companies/people may not be too happy....

Justification is a complete defence to a defamation action, so the OP has nothing to worry about providing that what she has put down is actually true.

Model agencies

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