freelance modeling agency... legit?

[toton1989]

Ok I'm not sure where I should put this but anyway..

So the other day I was at orchard road and this lady came up to me and said she's from some freelance modeling agency and she asked for my number and gave me her card. So I decided to just give her my number.

Well yesterday, they called me up and asked me to go down for an interview today so I just got home from there. They told me I have to pay like, $370 for a photo shoot so they can make a portfolio for me so they can send the portfolio to advertising companies when they ask for models.

So my concern is, what if I spend so much money on that photo shoot and in the end never get a chance to be in any advertisements? Has anyone here been through this or know anyone who has? Any advice would be appreciated :mrgreen:

 

[jeepers]

Legit or not, I'm not sure.

You definitely have to pay for a portfolio if you're just starting out. They speak the truth.

How much you have to pay depends on the agency.

I'm quite sure you'll break even on the cash you pay for the portfolio. Any more I can't say for sure. As long as they think you're good enough material, they'll help you get jobs. Be prepared to do almost anything though. The more open you are, the more cash you'll earn.

 

[toton1989]

That's what I'm afraid of. What if I'm not good enough?

 

[d2nial]

.

Haha i got the same experience, me and my fren were at Orchard road when this lady suddenly approached us and gave out her card to us saying she's from some freelance modeling agency......just like what u said.
But anyways both of us didnt gave her our phone number, and soon after she approached another guy,probably doing the same thing she did.
So i dont know how u would take it, cause it might just be a scam, just my opinion.

 

[Dime]

Fraud.A couple of my friends got called and they are just there to take our money away.Seriously $370 for a photo to setup a portfolio?And who are they asking from?Us teenagers.

They gave so much crap that they even said that my friend was good enough for bridal model and my friend was just 17 at that time.

But its up to you to believe.

 

[Gates]

I got offered once too by a lady at orchard road. And I'm no model compared to the millions out there that have a nicer face and figure then me. I think it's just a money-earning scheme. Don't go for it is my advice, do you really want to be a model anyway? lol.

 

[Gr3y]

well if you want to be a model, there are quite a few good photographers here on soft who can easily book a photography studio for you and do the portfolio at a way lower cost. You can ask if that is an option. If they agree that you can do your own photoshoot, that company is probably legit. If they claim only their photoshoot will be valid or some other crap excuses, stay away.

I've got the same experience of being approached by a lady but.... that was many many years ago! haha!

 

[billthegeek]

I saw this lady at orchard too. Is she from a firm called imodelling or sth like that? Luckily I turned her down.

$370 is way too much for photos, so chances are it is a fraud.

 

[shinobi]

couple of years back it was $200 for a portfolio for this kind of thing

it's up to you. it's $370 upfront (for THEM, not you) no promises, no obligations, no nothing on their side of the bargain. it's not even a 'scam' or 'fraud' because they won't be owing you anything.

think about how hard it is for legit models to get a break. and then think about how easy it was for you to get this

 

[Freeflowclass]

company that makes people pay to have 5 pictures taken, get you to buy makeup then tell you they;ll get you modelling opportunities but they dont.

Honestly, if anyone wants you to be a model, they wont make you pay. You should be the one earning. If you need a portfolio, you can go onto clubsnap.com ( not sure if there's an sg) to get it done free of charge.

Dont pay to model. Thats just nonsense. Who pays for a career.

 

[jeepers]

shinobi's right. a couple years back it was in the $200 region.

i got approached along with my friend. i turned 'em down. i didn't see the point of paying, plus i've always thought male models are fags. (you know that, don't ya? you've to work with fags all around, it's only a matter of time before you turn faggish)

my friend went ahead and did it. broke even with the few assignments he got and stopped entirely. even appeared on channel 5 and 8 LOL.

and the interviewer had the nicest eyes ever.

 

[Jugman]

that day i came down to find out what they were offering.

$400 for a photoshoot!

so i said nicely that i didnt want to take part, since i'm still a student and i don't have that kind of money.
i'd rather take my own photos.

but the lady insisted, so i had to lie and siad i had jamming later on.

months later, she called me asking if i'm interested. i said no and hung up.


and to think, i was only wearing a baybeats 07 shirt and jeans at orchard road when some china-accent girl approached me.

 

[dudelove]

i was only 16 when i was approached. i gave them my number cos i didnt have the guts to reject or ignore ppl last time.

they called me up once and i told them sorry i'm busy. then they called me up again the next day i cracked up some excuse i had school remedial. they called me again the following day and i finally said okay fine i'll go down and see what they have to offer. then the person told me i had to pay around a sum of 200plus i think.. i said i'm 16 i dont have that kinda money. and they started talking so much bs abt borrowing money from my parents that kinda thing and that it will help me in lots of ways and shit. i got so fed up i told them to go scam other ppl other than me. and i told them dont ever call me back again.

after reading this thread i still cant come up with a conclusion if its a scam or not.

 

[blank]

Be honest with yourself, how good do you look?
It's not technically a scam. They make your portfolio for you, and they show your portfolio to their clients, if their clients like you they will choose you and you will make some money. If no one picks you, you get nothing.
I'm guessing they approach anyone who looks naive enough.

 

[toton1989]

shinobi's right. a couple years back it was in the $200 region.

i got approached along with my friend. i turned 'em down. i didn't see the point of paying, plus i've always thought male models are fags. (you know that, don't ya? you've to work with fags all around, it's only a matter of time before you turn faggish)

my friend went ahead and did it. broke even with the few assignments he got and stopped entirely. even appeared on channel 5 and 8 LOL.

and the interviewer had the nicest eyes ever.

What do you mean by broke? and i think it's quite cool that your friend got to appear on TV haha. I want that too!

Be honest with yourself, how good do you look?
It's not technically a scam. They make your portfolio for you, and they show your portfolio to their clients, if their clients like you they will choose you and you will make some money. If no one picks you, you get nothing.
I'm guessing they approach anyone who looks naive enough.

Umm I don't know? haha I've been told by people that I'm good looking.

 

[tim098]

To have broken even means to have covered your losses.

But they approach at least 50 people a weekend alone, what are the chances of you being a lucky one?

 

[visa]

I've missed you Naomi! How's Ethan! How did everything go? I want to meet him leh~

 

[jeepers]

Yeh, what tim098 said. He basically broke even, with a nice bit of spare cash to go along. It ain't a walk in the park though.

He appeared on a couple of episodes of Crime Watch or Incredible Tales or something. Don't watch local telly. He had this gig with DHL too, $60/hr. But had to be in TIGHTS and rollerblades.

Okay it's not all just about being good-looking and all. Sure you've gotta be of a certain standard.

BUT

The question is:

Would you get some tongue action going with your MALE modeling instructor? (I'm not sure if it happens everywhere cos I only have one male friend who's a model, the rest are girls.)

 

[toton1989]

Yeh, what tim098 said. He basically broke even, with a nice bit of cash to spare to go along. It ain't a walk in the park though.

He appeared on a couple of episodes on Crime Watch or Incredible Tales or whatever. Don't watch local tele. He had this gig with DHL too, $60/hr. But had to be in TIGHTS and rollerblades.

Okay it's not about being good-looking and all.

The question is:

Would you get some tongue action going with your MALE modeling instructor? (I'm not sure if it happens everywhere cos I only have one male friend who's a model, the rest are girls.)

:???: I have to make tongue action with the instructor?!

Anyway, I know the chances of me getting picked out of all the other models in that company to go on TV or some weird commercial might be quite low. And I know male modeling might be a bit gay. Haha but the pay seems pretty good. Might get some new gear with it But I'm still thinking about it. I don't wanna spend $370 and regret it.

totonEDIT: I still think it's freaking cool that your friend got to be on channel 5 haha. I don't watch much local TV either but it'd be really cool if i ever got such an opportunity.

 

[ahkiatt]

If you're good enough. Other, proper, more exclusive modeling agency will approach you.

Go only if you have the money to burn. Think of it as a high risk investment.