Sad to say there are a vast number of people out there who are going to do their best to relieve you of money for nothing - or, at best, very little of value. These people are not amateurs but serious players in the art of scamming and aspiring models are a prime target. The websites run by these people will look very professional, they will generally act in a very knowledgeable way, treat you very nicely, make you feel very valuable - anything to lull you into a false sense of trust in what they are saying.
The simplest approach is for them to make contact with you through social media, which they obviously scan to track down new models trying to break into the industry. It is also feasible that a genuine model agency may be scouting you though these channels too. With a typical approach from a ‘model support agency’ you might be offered a free photoshoot - there could be a fifty pound deposit requested ‘repayable when you turn up for the shoot’. This isn’t unreasonable to stop no-shows. In fact, when they DO repay this when you arrive, this immediately makes you trust them. They have nothing to lose and a lot to gain from this simple trick.
Now you have pictures taken, usually they are very helpful with hair and makeup at this time. Next is the chance to view the pictures on a computer screen, probably away in an office with someone well-trained in the art of the sales pitch. Of course, you like the pictures, and the salesman will say how great they all are, also that they are just what you need for your all-important portfolio. Now you want a nice selection of pictures - but do you need a portfolio to move your modelling career forward? Probably not. In fact most reputable model agencies (as opposed to model support agencies) will only ask for a natural picture of yourself, which doesn’t even need to be a professional picture, and certainly not with you overly made up. In fact, it’s very likely that a reputable modelling agency might turn you away if you present a portfolio shot by a studio with a known bad reputation - not wanting to be associated with them.
These ‘support agencies’ (photographic studios) will NOT be in a position to offer or find work for you directly - they will simply send you a list of agencies you can approach. You could build your own list easily using an internet search. Reputable agencies who are interested in taking you on will very likely advise you to get a portfolio of pictures shot by a professional photographer, usually costing around £150 to £200. A ‘support agency’ will make their money purely from your photoshoot.
So - you’re now sitting in the office having seen all the wonderful photos. You are then informed that if you want to keep the pictures you will need to pay for them, on the spot. You may well be told that if you don’t buy them now they will have to be deleted because of the space they are taking up on the computer, so it’s now or never. This is to put the pressure on. If you hesitate you’ll probably hear that you need to speculate to accumulate, or you need to show commitment to your future career. There may be different packages on offer, often the usual bronze, silver and gold - for which each will have a different number of pictures and level of support on offer.
You ask if you can go away and think about it. You will probably be told that you can’t. You will be made to feel that if you miss the chance of investing in yourself today then what hope have you got for the future. They will twist harder and harder to get a sale on the spot because they know that if you go away someone will probably convince you not to go ahead. If you soften and pay up you could be looking at anything from a few hundred pounds to thousands for the bronze package, never mind the higher ones. For this you will receive a number of photos and later on a tired list of agencies to approach.
What you need to decide is whether or not you want to pay the money being asked for - purely on the basis of being value for money with regard to the number and quality of photographs. Your future career doesn’t need to come into it - that remains in your hands. Any extras promised should be taken with a large pinch of salt.
IF IT LOOKS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE - THAT’S PROBABLY THE CASE
Before taking up any offers of a photoshoot do your research. Check out the studio name online, search [‘Studio name’ reviews] to read up any comments posted. Check the website - using domaintools.com you can enter the name of their website and find out when it was first registered. One recently was stating ‘Over 15 years experience’ when the domain had only been registered a month previously - an obvious red flag. You’ll find further details on the ‘Useful links’ page.
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If you would like us to help you check out approaches you have had from agencies we are happy to do this. There is no charge for this service - all we ask is that you make a donation to help us with the administration of trying to get unscrupulous ‘support agencies’ closed down. This can be a one-off donation of £10, £20 or whatever you can afford. We will advise you on what action to take - before you go to a ‘free’ appointment then find yourself getting pressurised into unexpected payment of hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
Forewarned is forearmed!
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