Models/porfolios have i been conned?

Question

I recently went for a modelling test shoot, and they decided they would like to work with me. They said they would find me an agent in 1 month and that i would have to only pay half of the cost for my portfolio. They have told me that its gonna cost £1200!! Surely this is not right? It seems pretty steep

Answer 1

Sounds like a con to me.

Answer 2

It sounds VERY steep to me.
Maybe you could call a reputable agency and ask if they know about the one you went to, and if they are ok or not.
Also make a few calls to other agencies and see what sort of prices they quote. Then you should be able to get an idea of how much a portfolio shoot SHOULD cost.

I would be VERY WARY of parting with such an amount of money, unfortunately there are lots of con men around so be careful.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Yes, this sounds like a con. Never, ever pay money up front for test shots, portfolios, agents, etc. - the agency is representing you and it's in their best interest to make you look good. Agencies should take a percentage of your earnings, not cash straight out of your pocket. Try more reputable, well-known modeling agencies.

Answer 4

Wince... you did not pay did you?

Who was this agency and how did you find out about it?


firstly did you have the common sense to contact magazines and ask them where they get their models? or ad agencies like Sachi and Sachi etc...

or respond to an ad in say loot or the stage?

They have teen girls for breakfast and even if they did take you on

Many are very bad say getting teen girls annorexic, too much pressure, letting coke dealers around the girls and a whole host of other stuff.


Plus you seen the TV series Human Taffic about various people including a girl who attended a presentation looking for models in East Europe, told they were gonner get them this career and take them abroad...

Paid for the plane ticket, got them abrad and straight into an illegal brothel where they were repeatedly raped and turned into sex slaves... Thats happens too.


Or dodgy porn shoots.


Now I have no problem with legit porn companies who treat the girls well, all over 18, health checks, you are in control etc etc like Playboy or Vivid or say doing pole dancing with goofy funny String follow etc.

But they are all upfront, no bull and professional

Your agency is clearly not.

I can get a whole reel of photos from a professional photographer suitable for film extra work for around £50 Though for modelling work they would want a better range but still not that much and thats a photographer not a model agency asking for a portfolio.


Good agencies would see you eat right and make you eat and be very aware of eating disorders... Likewise keep you away from drugs and have someone look after girls and their welfare.

And if doing some nude stuff say for a shower ad would be all legit and you would know the company say Dolphin and you could check them out.

You industry has millions of stary eyed young girls in teen and early twenties wanting to be a model = shark filled lake... you ned to find a protective dolphin not end up conned or worse and there is a lot worse then loosing you money...

DO NOT ACCEPT ASSIGNMENTS ABROAD UNLESS WITH A VERY KNOWN ESTABLISHED COMPANY THAT YOU CHECK OUT PROPERLY AND KNOW IN THE INDUSTRY...NOT THEY SAY THEY ARE.

Answer 5

Don't pay a penny!!! All reputable agencies pay for your portfolio themselves because it is they who use it to market you out and make money.

There are loads of scams like this out there that flatter people by telling them they could be a model but then conning money out of them with promises of fulfilling their dreams.

If you think you've got what it takes go to one of the major agencies such as:

http://www.stormmodels.com/index.html

http://www.models1.co.uk/

They might not give you the answer you're looking for but at least you'll know whether you've got what it takes then.

Answer 6

http://www.wolfkettler.co.uk/models/modelsguide/sellyourbody/modellingscams.html
READ THIS ARTICLE before you get conned

Never pay money to a model agency. Do not join an agency if you are expected to pay a fee (e.g. for joining, membership or to have a portfolio produced). Reputable agencies never charge their models any fees. They make their money from finding paid work for you and taking a commission.

Answer 7

enable's see now. What did he somewhat do? Did he create the stress? Did he authorize the learning? Did he plan the logistics? Did he authorize the funding? Did he plan the operation? i will provide Obama credit even as he stands in the front of a microphone and says, "the protection stress benefits each of the credit for this. All I did became provide them the ok". Obama supplies the orders to take out some pirates and he's protecting us secure? Bush supplies the orders to take out Saddam Hussein and his sons and the position were you?

Answer 8

Sounds alot, whats so special about this photo shoot to cost that amount. Is is dvd or copyright protected or something? Maybe your paying for the album as well... i personally would not pay that amount.. sounds like alot to me.

Answer 9

Reputable modeling agencies don't charge you for portfolios. If this agency is asking for money for anything go somewhere else.

Answer 10

Beware of companies that want you to pay for things like that. A legit place will not try to con you of of your $$$. Do a little research on the company.