Legitimate Modeling Agencies
What every model should know about legitimate modeling agencies
One important thing to keep in mind when you are planning to start working as a model, or when you are already working with a modeling agency, is that while there are plenty of legitimate modeling agencies out there, there are plenty of scam artists trying to trick young, impressionable models.
When you start contacting modeling agencies, you should always do your homework on an agency's background. The internet can offer plenty of material on the legitimacy of a modeling agency, so use that information to your advantage.
Legitimate model agencies will never ask you for money. If an agency does ask for a fee when you sign up with them or even at a later stage, you should be alarmed as it is not common practice for legitimate modeling agencies. In addition, a trustworthy modeling agency would never ask for any money for test shoots or for building a portfolio.
Overall, a legitimate modeling agency should not be charging their models anything up-front. Legitimate agencies make their money once they have booked their models in modeling jobs. In other words, none of their income should come directly from their models, only from clients who want to book them.
Another very important point is that legitimate modeling agencies should never ask you to pose for nude photographs. Do not be fooled by an agency or an agent that says that in order to become a model, you need to take off all your clothes. Legitimate modeling agencies will never ask you to do that. Depending on the type of modeling you are looking to get into, a legit modeling agency or agent might ask you to pose in a swimming suit or in your underwear in order to know what your body type is.
Remember to read as much about the agency as possible before you contact or visit them. The more you know about the agency, the more informed you will be about the legitimacy of the establishment. It's important to start your modeling career with real professionals, so be careful, as not everyone is as trustworthy as they might seem.
