Is that modeling agency legit?
As a new model, it’s so exciting to get signed by your first agency, but it can be difficult to know whether or not the agency is legit.
Check out the rest of this blog to see the steps you can take to ensure an agency is legit.
Modeling Agency Red Flags
Asking for money upfront. Modeling agencies won’t ask you to pay to secure your spot or force you to pay for a test shoot. Agencies are responsible for booking you jobs and then they take a percentage of the fee.
If the agency guarantees you’ll get work. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is modeling agencies represent a lot of models of various experience.
Beware of “agencies” that rush you to use a specific photographer and pay them for photos. Agencies might recommend photographers to help build your portfolio, but working with a specific photographer shouldn’t be a condition of getting signed or getting booked.
Scammers will try and rush you into signing a contract. If they want you to sign right away or they will pull the offer, they might be taking advantage of you.
No business address, telephone number, etc. on their website. A legitimate modeling agency should have a business tax ID number, address, telephone number, etc.
If the URL of the website looks funky. Make sure the URL is the name of the business and is .com. Anyone can buy a website domain and create a real looking website.
The agency has no social media or it has no photos/only stock photos. Also if they have a huge following, but most people you know haven’t heard of them, they probably paid for the followers to look real.
Steps you can take to avoid scams
Research. Google can be a great resource when checking the legitimacy of a modeling agency. I recommended looking up the agency and also trying to search the agency name plus, “scam”, “review”, or “complaint”.
Reach out to models they have signed. A legitimate agency should have their models listed on their website, and most of the agencies now list the model’s social media accounts. Reach out via social media to get reviews if you feel unsure.
Get everything in writing. A legitimate agency would have no problem sending you an email or a printed copy of the promises they’ve made, the terms of your contract, or their expectations of you.
How to stay safe
Never go alone. If the agency asks to meet with you and you aren’t sure if they are legitimate, don’t go alone. Any legitimate agency will let a parent or friend come with you. They will likely ask them to wait outside in the waiting room, but if they seem upset that you want someone to come along, that’s a big red flag.
Don’t meet in a private setting. A legitimate agency will ask you to come to their business address, which should be an office with multiple people working. If they ask you to meet after hours or in a strange location, don’t go!
Don’t send suggestive photos. A real modeling or talent agency will request digitals or a portfolio. If an agent asks you to send photos that are “sexy” or “revealing”, don’t send the photos.