Posted by Cynthia Leigh: 
I've heard some pay for professional photos and comp cards to be done, but some don't. 

If they don't, then they might just expect you to have them, but not require that you use a specific photographer or service. In that case, you can be sure they're getting a kickback.

Posted by Chris Ambler: 

Posted by Cynthia Leigh: 
I've heard some pay for professional photos and comp cards to be done, but some don't. 

If they don't, then they might just expect you to have them, but not require that you use a specific photographer or service. In that case, you can be sure they're getting a kickback.

You mean if they only want to me to use a specific photographer or service that their getting a kick-back.

Posted by Cynthia D: 
If an agency wants you, they will pay for your comp cards, not vice versa. It doesn't sound too legit to me. If I were you, I would do some more research on the agency. 

Thanks, I haven't found anything google wise saying that's a "known scam", but I was trying to see if this was one of those things where 50 people got an offer as well, which pretty much lights up the scam thing.  I'm fairly sceptical because I'm 5'5, which is definitely short for plus-size, but I know that Torrid has no weight or height restrictions in their model selection and that print is less stringent on height requirements than some other types of modeling.

I'll try the sites that list known modeling scams next.

Posted by Austin Models & Talent Agency: 
Oh Oh Oh!  (hand raised high in class!!!!!!)

Who is the photographer in Dallas? (you can email me if you prefer).

Agencies that are licensed cannot require you to use their photographer. 

As for agencies paying for your comp cards... that's net myth.  You are responsible for the costs of creating your own portfolio and comps.  A good agency will find you qualified photographers to test with.  They will recommend places for printing where the rates are much reduced.  They "might" loan you the money, so to speak, upfront if they are large enough and really believe in you.  They will never pay for your costs of comps, however, any more than an actor has his/her headshots paid by the agent.

As for $$$ earning potentials...  let's just say that model rates that models online quote are nowhere near what land-based jobs are paying (i.e., much more).

Thanks, I've been looking for a definite answer to that question.  (I know that local agencies here in Louisiana have actually made "embarassment sheets" with models and actors names on them to try to get them to send them comp cards and headshots because the agency doesn't have any of them anymore.) 

Yeah, the figure's on what their quoting me for potential gig earning is rather high, but I know that any fashion, and a lot of commercial print pays that with no qualms.  Thought, I'm not entirely certain as to whether or not that's what their niche is (she did mention fashion photos, so that's what I assumed).

And now that I have your attention, could you possibly answer the other questions I had in my original post!!?!!  I'm well aware that some of my more "eccentric" photos wouldn't be appropriate for my book if I was bring it to a fashion go-see, but enlighten me, I'm definitely curious.

Posted by Cynthia Leigh:
Right now, it's just uber-expensive photoshoot,

Nope, it's not ueber-expensive. It's above average for that region maybe. But here in NY, photographers who shoot for agencies may get much more, just the model doesn't know because the agency either pays for the shoot, or reimburses the model, in which case she'd know of course.

My commercial rate is $300/hour plus costs, etc. If I have to shoot 5/6 hours on different locations (that's what I do), including a crew of make up artist, stylist and assistants, it can easily run to $2,000.

But an agency would pay for it. Now, because I know that models often need portfolio shoots without being represented by an agency and finance themself, I charge for the same shoot $450 and do sometimes price arrangements.

But that is me...

Again, that $900 is high, but by far not unusual.

On the other hand, there are photographers with cheapo digicams and their own Epson Stylus printer who do head shots for $95.--

They usually have their photocopied offers taped to lantern poles in the city with their phone numbers to tear off.

Posted by Austin Models & Talent Agency: 
Oh Oh Oh!  (hand raised high in class!!!!!!)

Who is the photographer in Dallas? (you can email me if you prefer).

Agencies that are licensed cannot require you to use their photographer. 

As for agencies paying for your comp cards... that's net myth.  You are responsible for the costs of creating your own portfolio and comps.  A good agency will find you qualified photographers to test with.  They will recommend places for printing where the rates are much reduced.  They "might" loan you the money, so to speak, upfront if they are large enough and really believe in you.  They will never pay for your costs of comps, however, any more than an actor has his/her headshots paid by the agent.

As for $$$ earning potentials...  let's just say that model rates that models online quote are nowhere near what land-based jobs are paying (i.e., much more).

Very well summarized!

Posted by Cynthia Leigh: 
Thanks, I've been looking for a definite answer to that question.  (I know that local agencies here in Louisiana have actually made "embarassment sheets" with models and actors names on them to try to get them to send them comp cards and headshots because the agency doesn't have any of them anymore.) 

Right now, you are living in a "HOT SPOT" for the entertainment industry.  The Louisiana state government has set up huge incentives for filmmakers, attracting in a lot of Hollywood that was otherwise coming to Texas the year before this.  You may not be interested in acting, but with that comes other things (print modeling, advertising) as well.  If you are interested in acting, then you're currently sitting on a gold mine.

In my own personal observations and research of agencies in Louisiana, many of them are fresh and new to the industry and sitting on shakey ground as far as how they operate.  I'm not implying that Texas is so much smarter, but it has had a lot of background in the industry, enough so that we operate a lot differently here (in markets such as Texas and Louisiana, you'd be hard pressed to find agencies that deal strictly in modeling, by the way).  We've experienced films here in TX recently such as SIN CITY (Bruce Willis), FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (Billy Bob Thornton), and MAN OF THE HOUSE (Tommy Lee Jones - orignally shot under the title, CHEER UP).  My own sun had roles in both the last two films.  In FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, they hired him as well as his car (a classic and restored 1977 Firebird Formula) to appear in the feature.  Texas now suffers a loss in the industry that Louisiana has taken away.  Even still, Sarah Michell Gellar and Sandra Bullock are both shooting feature films in Texas as we speak.

ACCLAIM TALENT has opened offices in Louisiana.  They're a pretty high profile agency based in Texas.  For "legit," I'd start with them first.  Again, I'm not sure if you are restricting yourself to modeling only, but talent agencies do provide both actors, as well as models for print advertising assignments.

If you email me in private, I can send you some solid legit Louisiana contacts that will benefit you.  Since TX is so close to there, of course, I've had to keep abreast of who is who and what is what so nearby.  :-)

Posted by Udo R Photography: 
On the other hand, there are photographers with cheapo digicams and their own Epson Stylus printer who do head shots for $95.

And then there are the guys who do good work but also shoot TFP because they're building a portfolio, themselves. Find one of them, and it's a win-win. The downside being that you've wasted some of your time if their work sucks.

Posted by Austin Models & Talent Agency: 

Right now, you are living in a "HOT SPOT" for the entertainment industry.  The Louisiana state government has set up huge incentives for filmmakers, attracting in a lot of Hollywood that was otherwise coming to Texas the year before this.  You may not be interested in acting, but with that comes other things (print modeling, advertising) as well.  If you are interested in acting, then you're currently sitting on a gold mine.

In my own personal observations and research of agencies in Louisiana, many of them are fresh and new to the industry and sitting on shakey ground as far as how they operate.  I'm not implying that Texas is so much smarter, but it has had a lot of background in the industry, enough so that we operate a lot differently here (in markets such as Texas and Louisiana, you'd be hard pressed to find agencies that deal strictly in modeling, by the way).  We've experienced films here in TX recently such as SIN CITY (Bruce Willis), FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (Billy Bob Thornton), and MAN OF THE HOUSE (Tommy Lee Jones - orignally shot under the title, CHEER UP).  My own sun had roles in both the last two films.  In FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, they hired him as well as his car (a classic and restored 1977 Firebird Formula) to appear in the feature.  Texas now suffers a loss in the industry that Louisiana has taken away.  Even still, Sarah Michell Gellar and Sandra Bullock are both shooting feature films in Texas as we speak.

ACCLAIM TALENT has opened offices in Louisiana.  They're a pretty high profile agency based in Texas.  For "legit," I'd start with them first.  Again, I'm not sure if you are restricting yourself to modeling only, but talent agencies do provide both actors, as well as models for print advertising assignments.

If you email me in private, I can send you some solid legit Louisiana contacts that will benefit you.  Since TX is so close to there, of course, I've had to keep abreast of who is who and what is what so nearby.  :-)

I actually spoke to Acclaim before they opened an office down in Louisiana.  I wouldn't mind both acting and modeling work, but from what I've experienced, there really isn't much of a plus-size market down here, so I'd probably be stuck with extra work.  And the only problem with that is the dumb casting agents down here. (They recently told me I had a featured extra position and then reneged and called me in for a one-day overnight shoot instead--which I declined.) 

I've ran into a lot of "scam" agencies down here in New Orleans.  They either want me to work with "their" photographer (who has pictures that make their subject look like their SNEEZING), or their John Robert Powers, John Casablanca, or something along those lines.  I've also sent quiet a few pictures and resumes to some of the decent agencies around here only to never hear from them again.  I'd love to get with a decent agency down here (I've heard a lot of great stuff about stage2000, but their all the way in Baton Rouge), and I have no clue as to whether or not Acclaim is even legitimately interested in me.

That, and if the politicians get their way, the tax incentive bill is going far, far away since their convinced that there'll still be a film industry down here to tax the heck out of if they remove the bill (from what I've heard it's in the house now).  So I don't know how long the acting biz is going to thrive down here either.

Posted by Austin Models & Talent Agency: 
Question (a):
Dallas is a decent size market for print.  Mostly catalog.  Several of the leading department stores base their print catalog work from there. 

Question (b):
When you sign with a decent agency, they will set you up on test shoots.  The makeup people who are pro's I know are around $85 an hour for model/talent headshots and portfolio work.  These are Texas prices, you may find them lower where you are. 

Question (c):
You can print your images anywhere you want to.  From digital, Sam's images aren't so bad.  For mass reproduction, I can give you a list of good printers (headshots, comps/zeds) who have good rates you can go by.  Don't use THEIR printer.

Question (d):
I have not looked.  I will and will comment later.

Yeah, they told me a decent shoot w/ hair and make-up would be $500 alone (which I'm more than certain I can get for atleast $300-$350 down here--maybe cheaper).  And that printing would be $300 0.0  As the computer repair and semi-decent PS user that I am (I like to make my own business cards on my comp and people compliment me on them a lot).  I'd rather cut and edit the comp card myself. (I can make them look exactly like all those other snazzy ones and then send it someone else to print.)  I know for a fact that Sam's Club does digital 8x12 prints for $.17 which is dynamite since its more expensive (paper & ink wise) to do it on your own printer (which mines is good, but no amazingly so).  My Dad might also know someone or be able to do a trade since he used to run and do some work on the AB Dick printers back in the day when he was a manager at a local print shop (ya' know the kind that used to make company logos and do *good* printing).

But the question still remains:
Will the agent have a brain embolism if I tell her that I want to design and print my own comp cards???

Posted by MagicImagePhoto: 
You get what you pay for. In this case you are only paying for there representaion. The pictuers are just a way to get your business. There are millions of photographer that can help you set up a book for your portfolio. You are just paying them to get you employment. And true they cost alot of monie but the chances of you being what they are looking for is very slim unless you are what they are looking for. My work is just as good as any agencies photographer. But what you are buying is the name of the photographer and the name of the agency.I am positive you will find many expert photographers here on the Mayhem just ask... Bravo Magic Image Photography

I'd like to think if they're hiring me that they know their clients enough to know what they're doing.
Which could be either:
a) They're desparate for ANY decent plus-size models because there's a gapping hole in the market (entirely possible since there's really no market for plus-size in the south other than Atlanta, so thus, no models for such).  This would also explain the 5'5 thing.
b) They know exactly what their clients want and it's any decent looking plus-size they can get their hands on.

If it's either, I win.  The only lose situation is if they have no clue what their doing, which can be costly for any business venture to do.  I plan to find out if they've made that perennial 9yr goal that marks a business that's here to say--statistics have proven that if a new business is going to tank, it'll be in the first 9 yrs.

Posted by theda: 
It seems like if they were a large enough agency to be working out of multiple cities, there's no way they'd be using Craig's list to recruit models.

And there, as usual from theda, you have the most insightful and succinct truth in this thread.