Modeling?

I was asked by a REAL local modeling agency if I would be interested in modeling for a few stores in my ares. They aren't chains or anything. I think it sounds really great, but I'm worried they tell this to every girl they see. My mom has an appointment to talk with them and figure things out. Basically the lady said it would be a few hundred bucks(which I have) for the original head shots, then after that I would get paid from the stores. She said I fit the look and age a couple stores had already asked her for, so that's why she approched me. Do you think it's a scam? I don't think I look like anything a store would ask for, so that's what Im asking.

If it was a REAL modelling agency then it wouldn't be a scam. How do you know that it's a real modelling agency? They can be very convincing because all they can want is money. I reckon if your mum goes to the appointment she can check it out for herself.

Model agencies are not allowed to charge you money just to go onto their books but some of them do it anyway...

They may manage to stay just within the law by charging you a fee (sometimes a very high one) for publicity - putting your face on their website or in their brochure, their wallchart or whatever, or for a so-called contract.
The way that honest agencies usually work is that they will only charge you a percentage of your earnings (usually around 20-25%) and this is perfectly O.K. The dishonest ones aren't interested in finding you any work so there won't be any earnings for you and they won't be getting any commission - and that's why they want you to pay them up front!

It's a pretty difficult situation but see how it goes after your mum's appointment with them.

Good luck

x

I was told when they ask for money up front, its a scam.
if they want you as there model, they will pay for any types of pictures.

Well it's pretty well know in my area. They just do local stuff though. I've known a few girls and a guy who go there and most of them have pictures in local stores. I'm not looking for a career or anything, just something to do. She wasn't all 'For $400 bucks you could be the next big thing'. She asked if I would be interested, and then when my mom called she told her that it would cost at first.

If you know people that do it and have pictures in stores, ask them about it! If they say it's good, go for it, if it's not, then don't do it. Besides, it'd be a great learning experience!!

--Liberty

Please listen to softball, not liberty. ANY time a modeling agency asks for money up front for whatever reason, they are NOT a legitimate modeling agency. Stella has it exactly right -- a legit agency will charge a fee for the work that you are paid for and will NEVER ask for money from you.

Illegitimate agencies make their money in exactly this way -- by approaching attractive young girls with little experience in the business, charging them a fee, and then getting them little to no work. It is a heinous practice that preys on youth, ignorance of the business, and naivitee. Do not give them a penny.

What happens is a lot of large agency's expect their models to come equipped with their own portfolios or photos that they have obtained independently and sometimes if they see a lot of potential they will provide you with one because they feel they will defintly get it back but what can happen more then often with the smaller or local agencies is and from what I remember it is true that they will not charge you for an application or entry fee for their books.
HOWEVER (especially the smaller local agencies can and do sometimes charge for portfolio fees which is most likely what you are paying for.

This is for your photos and they will put the photos into a portfolio professional folder for you and print you out cards with your information. If they are not offering you anything such as a portfolio and a modeling course but still making you pay or if making you pay more for this things as well as the original fee then dont cause then it is most likely not going to be worthwhile for you.

So you see its not a black and white yes or no answer