Beware of model support agencies demanding an upfront fee…
Reputable modelling agencies EARN their money through commissions on work they get you, although they may reasonably charge an initial administration fee -
Do NOT fall for the modelling support agencies who insist that they carry out the photoshoot “for your portfolio” and then demand an exorbitant fee for the pictures. Most genuine modelling agencies will not accept pictures taken by these people, as they don’t want to be associated with any disreputable businesses. Yes, you need pictures but you can get them done by a professional studio for a couple of hundred pounds, or even have pictures taken by a friend with reasonable equipment.
Any agency that tries to push you into paying them on the first visit – aside from a modest administration fee – you should regard this as a red flag. Once they have your money upfront, where’s their incentive to find you work? The harder they push, often using psychological sales techniques, the quicker you should get up and walk away.
They will try to make you feel that YOU need THEM, and need to pay for their service, when in fact you need to look at this from a different point of view. As a new model you are starting out in a new business venture, full or part time. As such you DO need someone to help market you – but this should be on industry acceptable terms. It can be assumed that a reputable modelling agency will have clients seeking models – THIS IS WHY YOU WANT TO HIRE THEIR SERVICES. You should reasonably expect to pay them commission of around 33% on work they obtain for you – the agency will probably charge the client commission 20% above your fee, so for example a £1000 contract will be set at £1200 then 33% of this is £400 so you receive £800.
REMEMBER – your first job is to hire a trustworthy modelling agency to find you work – the best way of doing this is by walking into their office and conducting a face to face meeting. This may not be an easy task, and may involve contacting a number of agencies before you find what you are looking for. It may be that you don’t have the right look for the agency to want to sign you. Why would they if they don’t feel they can find you work? Alternatively, you may not feel the right ‘vibe’ from a company that says they DO want you and end up thanking them for their time, and walking away.
Dealing with an agency asking for money in order to sign you.
In the UK no modelling agency is allowed by law to charge a registration fee if they are only taking you on for photographic modelling. However, if they are also offering film and TV work, commercials, etc., this does not apply.
Should you find yourself in front of one of these sales people you don’t need to run away immediately. You still have another option available – NEGOTIATION.
At this point the salesperson, for that is what they are, will probably have told you how great your pics are, and how they’re sure they’ll get plenty of interest in bookings for you. They may say that they have a client waiting for someone with your exact look – you could be signing a contract with that client within days – and it’s a great budget… but you need to register TODAY or the opportunity will be lost. They may throw a big, well-
This is where you can find out exactly how interested they are in getting work for you – or whether they are only interested in getting their hands on your money. So don’t be afraid to tell them that as you have already spent a lot of money already on photoshoots to create your portfolio, you can’t afford to layout any further money at this time.
If they don’t agree, which is quite likely with an unscrupulous agency, they’ve demonstrated a genuine lack of long term interest in you – and you can walk away with your head held high, having called their bluff. All you’ve asked them to do is to back up the praise they lavished on you at the outset of their sales pitch!
Whatever the outcome it’s a result that suits YOU!
Most importantly – if they refuse your offer but still want to take you on – and still want your money – DON’T BACK DOWN! If they’re not interested in taking you on just because you can’t pay up front for the cost of setting up your profile on their website they’re certainly not worth signing up to.
I know that you are keen to be a model – but DON’T GET DESPERATE! What you DO need to do is to keep searching for the right agency – and THIS WILL BE YOUR BREAKTHROUGH MOMENT! Yes you want to be a model – but first you need to set up your marketing – this is the start of your business.
Legitimate expenses:
A reputable agency will be doing all they can to find you work – they rely on the commission from all of their models. There may possibly be occasions where they may ask you to invest in a new set of photos to open up other markets, new looks, or whatever. At this time, of course, they should have already found paid work for you so it’s not unreasonable to expect you to now reinvest a bit into your own business. New photographs doesn’t necessarily mean you have to hand money to them to get you in a studio – there’s no reason why you shouldn’t find your own photographer and give him a list of shots required.
It’s a well-
In conclusion
Take time to find the right agency (or agencies) who will take to on without any upfront payment – let them earn their commission by finding you work.
If an agency wants a upfront payment and refuses to negotiate at better deal for you – they are not interested so much in finding you work as taking money from you for nothing.
Please go to links page for further details
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 -
Forewarned is forearmed!
HELP AND GUIDANCE
