Modelling? I'm Naive. Please Advise...

[pixie373]

Unknown to me, my 16 yr old daughter has done an online application to UK Models in London. She got a text asking her to get a parent to ring. I was very sceptical that it might be just an expensive photo-shoot, but have rung them, for her sake.
They don't want any money, but want me to take her for an assessment photo-shoot at Pure Space Studios, Oxford Circus. No make-up or hair products and to take 5-7 outfits. If she's not suitable, they delete the photos, if she is, we buy some for a portfolio and they match her up with agencies (magazines, posters, catalogues).
I don't mind if it just turns out to be a fun experience or if they try to make us buy lots of expensive photos, but i don't want to turn up anywhere too dodgy or seedy.
Any thoughts? Thank you xxx

[shoota]

No legitimate modelling agency will charge for portfolio pictures.
The ones that do my be able to provide modelling work but it tends to be lower down the pecking order at best or dodgy at worst.
I'd do some research and approach agencies that make no charge whatsoever.

[daffy654]

http://ukmodelsadvice.com/tag/pure-space-studios-2/

It sounds a little dodgy, I would avoid going any further if it were my daughter.

[Ken4155]

Have you gone online to research the agency involved? That would be my first port of call. Try and find out if they handle any 'known' faces, etc.

[daffy654]

Further reading seems to say they are good at what they do but very much on the expensive side.

[EcclesCake]

My understanding is that if you are to pay for the portfolio it is a dodgy agency.

[sherrardk]

Even if it is legit, do you think your daughter could cope with rejection not (saying she would be, just taking into account her recent exploits), x

[Zacs-Master]

Have you seen the advert which has popped up?

[shoota]

These people are simply portfolio builders, I'd bet a pound to a penny they will decide that your lass is suitable to model, take some pics and charge you for them.
They may be successful in getting the resulting portfolio before an agency but then again how hard will they try when they have already been paid?
I have no direct knowledge of them but the setup sounds like nothing other than an exercise in selling a studio session to me.

http://www.ukmodels.co.uk/registration/index.aspx?gclid=CP3O_c79m7sCFRMRtAodqTYAdw

[daffy654]

Pure Space Studios is just the photographer, they have to charge for the photos or they'd quickly go out of business. If this were an actual modelling agency they would expect you to already have a portfolio.

[Brinjal]

Is it a reputable agency. It could be fun but you must go with her and be careful about what they ask you to pay for. If the photos are good you will have to pay for a portfolio which is nice to have and you will probably have to have a professional one done in makeup etc but if they ask for money to be put on their books then say no thanks. Agencies get their commission from work that the model does not by charging to recommend you to other agencies or to find you work.

[shoota]

Read this Pix:
http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2013/06/what-happened-when-we-went-to-.html

[shoota]

And this:
http://www.modelsconnect.net/modelling_agencies/scams.html

[carrust]

In my modelling days I got my own portfolio done by a pro photographer.

[Peter Pedant]

thx Daffy
well its not a modelling agency

with the URL supplied by D - in the small print there is:

One should very clearly understand here that the company does not test the models, does not provide any catalogues, does not host any castings and does not provide any makeover sessions for the customers. The company does not provide all the above services as the UK Models Company is not a modeling agency.

So money will be involved at some point
and you get a portfolio


I dunno - try it and see - how much money have yo got ?

[shoota]

A much better course of action (IMO) would be to contact a college that runs a photography course and offer your daughter as a model in return for prints. Each class will have a couple of people at least as good as the photographers in these London studios and the resulting prints/jpeg files will be more than sufficiently good enough to compile a small portfolio in order to approach a pukka agency (as opposed to an outfit like this one) direct and so get a proper idea of your daughters suitability for a modelling career.

One other way would be to go to a fashion expo such as 'Clothes Show Live' which are haunted by model agency scouts looking for new talent.

[pixie373]

Wow! What a lot of help! Thank you. Just dropped my other daughter off and wasn't honestly expecting anyone to know. They said they are not an agency, they do the photos and provide list of agencies and will contact them. They said to avoid any that ask for money up-front, as they are 'cowboys' if i contact any myself.
That is also a good idea, shoota, to contact colleges. It isn't something we've talked about, she just showed me the text and i rang them.
I will look at those links now.
I know what you mean, sherr. She started medication this week. But I have told her my concerns and she understands.
Thanks everyone xx

[pixie373]

Sorry. I'm posting on other threads before coming back. Very rude:-\. Those links were very helpful. I will go onto their official site a bit later and have a proper look. I thought AB would be an honest and objective start - which it was. Thank you xx

[LazyGun]

I must admit that I would be rather leery of "UK models". I am unimpressed with the professionalism displayed on their site, and those links to the Mirror experience provided by shoota suggest they are far more concerned with attempting to get you to part with some serious dosh on the day of the shoot by convincing you that a portfolio is needed.

As I understand these things, a portfolio is not needed - at least, not by the top, reputable agencies. Were I in your shoes, pixie, I would be aiming to persuade my child to submit some snaps of herself to one of the agencies on this list (AMA) instead. Agencies like Storm, and Model 1, both of whom are insistent that a portfolio is not required.

http://www.associationofmodelagents.org/

[pixie373]

Thank you very much, lg. I have given that site to my daughter to look at. If she really wants to do it, I'd rather go the right way. And useful to know before i pay anything out. Thanks x

[FredPuli43]

Never heard of them. Not that I am expert on modelling, but I have friends and family who are and this place is full of Vogue and other such mags. I'm suspicious of any firm that calls itself "UK" anything; the name is meant to impress but it doesn't impress anyone in business. She'd be better getting a fashion shoot together, to show what 'looks' she can manage ; Kate Moss never looks the same twice; together with some natural shots. Then punt that to one of the well-known agencies who get mentioned in tiny print at the end of shoots that appear in magazines and papers (" model:Samantha at Storm" etc.) How tall is she?

If they give her a second look, she's on her way .