studio36uk wrote:
I have come to the conclusion that none of the posters above, and a vast majority of [in particular] models on this site, even know the actual legitimate purpose of an "agent" -OR- the legal relationship between "agents" and their principals [mostly models; but occasionally some other kinds of agency represented creatives]

Why is it that you all seem to think that an "agent" should waste even one minute of their time or invest even a single dollar of their money in YOUR dream, ESPECIALLY if you are new, untried, and utterly without any kind of track record in the industry?

Studio36

Do you honestly think the situation described in the OP ISN'T a portfolio mill?

Did you look at the website?

Perhaps you are aware of a booming fashion/commercial/acting industry in Medford, OR that we all missed here in the US.

Paige Morgan wrote:
Do you honestly think the situation described in the OP ISN'T a portfolio mill?

That is a completely different matter from the one that I addressed. Almost everything I do professionally is in the capacity of an agent [not a model agent] and I NEVER pay, out of pocket, for anything on behalf of a client... they pay me for my time or they send me money, in advance, to pay third parties for whatever service they require me to carry out.

Studio36

studio36uk wrote:

That is a completely different matter from the one that I addressed.

Studio36

You included most, if not all of the posters in the thread.

Many of us advised her she was wise to pass on a portfolio mill.

So let's address that.

Do you honestly think this ISN'T a portfolio mill?

Paige Morgan wrote:
You included most, if not all of the posters in the thread.

Many of us advised her she was wise to pass on a portfolio mill.

So let's address that.

Do you honestly think this ISN'T a portfolio mill?

It may not be anything of the sort, or it might be. That is neither here nor there. It is the assertion the OP made [and everyone else parroted] that models should never pay, or have to pay, for any of the things that were being requested.

Rather than look at the agency website, there really is no need to even do it, I looked at the OP's pictures here, and I can honestly say that there is only one single image, if that, that I would expect to see in an agency portfolio. So if they are requiring more and different style photographs to do their job representing her than that is absolutely not unreasonable; and if they have particular photographers they can send her to and from them confidently get the photos that they will need for the purpose, that, as well, is not at all unreasonable. If she, on the other hand, indicated that she would pay a photographer [one of theirs or not] for some new images done to a professional standard and consistent with the agency's requirements, that is entirely different from telling them she will just do TF* for some new pictures which are likely going to be no better, or suitable for the agency's purposes, than what she already has. But that's what she said that she told them.

No matter who or what or where the agency is, there is a world of difference between the real world truth that a model must be ready to invest real money in their career, and the contrary, and total fantasy, belief that a model should never have to pay for anything to obtain representation.

Other than from a well documented history, nothing of the sort which is in evidence here, there is little way in advance to tell if a particular agent / agency is worth the effort and expense until one is already represented by them, and either gets work for a model or doesn't. Even an agency that doesn't produce work, or much of it in some particular market, is not necessarily a scam.

The belief, widely reflected on the Internet sites like this one, that if an agent / agency wants you to pay for anything at all it's always and automatically a scam is totally false.

Studio36

studio36uk wrote:
It may not be anything of the sort, or it might be. That is neither here nor there. It is the assertion the OP made [and everyone else parroted] that models should never pay, or have to pay, for any of the things that were being requested.

Rather than look at the agency website, there really is no need to even do it, I looked at the OP's pictures here, and I can honestly say that there is only one single image, if that, that I would expect to see in an agency portfolio. So if they are requiring more and different style photographs to do their job representing her than that is absolutely not unreasonable; and if they have particular photographers they can send her to and from them confidently get the photos that they will need for the purpose, that, as well, is not at all unreasonable. If she, on the other hand, indicated that she would pay a photographer [one of theirs or not] for some new images done to a professional standard and consistent with the agency's requirements, that is entirely different from telling them she will just do TF* for some new pictures which are likely going to be no better, or suitable for the agency's purposes, than what she already has. But that's what she said that she told them.

No matter who or what or where the agency is, there is a world of difference between the real world truth that a model must be ready to invest real money in their career, and the contrary, and total fantasy, belief that a model should never have to pay for anything to obtain representation.

There is little way in advance to tell if a particular agent / agency is worth the effort and expense until one is already represented by them, and either gets work or doesn't. Even an agency that doesn't produce work, or much of it in some particular market, is not necessarily a scam.

The belief, widely reflected on the Internet sites like this one, that if they want you to pay for anything at all it's always and automatically a scam is totally false.

Studio36

I see you are avoiding the question I asked entirely(or any of us that simply advised she was wise to pass on what is most likely a portfolio mill), to serve the broad sweeping statement of "most if not all", and an opportunity to chide those unaware of the fact that agency talent has to assume expenses, without bothering to be remotely helpful and point those circumstances out.


However, the fact remains that there are ways to tell between a legit agency and a school/portfolio mill/scam BEFORE you spend your time/money in the wrong place.


An agency that isn't producing work/bookings for an extreme majority of their talent, especially in a market with few clients, is making money off of other things to keep their doors open.

Usually that involves selling portfolios to everyone that walks in the door in the promise of jobs that won't come, for clients the agency doesn't have in any volume.


The OP's reasoning for turning these guys down might not be correct, but she still dodged a bullet (from the available information) and didn't waste her time and money on an agency that wouldn't benefit her in the least.

Wynne Turner wrote:
. . . . . .. I've heard IMTA is another huge scam that simply drains the hopefuls of their money as well.

Do you agree? I will definitely be turning down this "agency." This seems like the classic scam without a doubt.

You might want to send them a copy of this: http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/modeling/imta.html

Matthew Gwinn wrote:
Wow, if you're going to try to scam people at least make your web site look legit. That site is garbage.

It may be garbage to you but having looked closely "under the hood" it is a clean, cleanly coded, and professionally designed site built for them by a company in Colorado, Mad Lab Media.

Studio36

Paige Morgan wrote:
The OP's reasoning for turning these guys down might not be correct, but she still dodged a bullet (from the available information) and didn't waste her time and money on an agency that wouldn't benefit her in the least.

Oh, really??? WHAT available information? Is there a record of the business having been prosecuted? Have the owners been in prison? Have they ever declared bankruptcy? Has the business been changing their name on a more or less regular basis? Is there a BBB record of complaints?

In fact as far as the BBB is concerned they are A+ rated and have had zero complaints in the last three years [as far back as the public record goes]

BBB Accreditation

A BBB Accredited Business since 08/01/1998

BBB has determined that I M D Image & Modeling Development meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public.

BBB accreditation does not mean that the business' products or services have been evaluated or endorsed by BBB, or that BBB has made a determination as to the business' product quality or competency in performing services.
Reason for Rating

BBB rating is based on 16 factors. Get the details about the factors considered. L I N K

Factors that raised I M D Image & Modeling Development's rating include:

    Length of time business has been operating.
    No complaints filed with BBB.
    BBB has sufficient background information on this business.

Customer Complaints Summary
0 complaints closed with BBB in last 3 years | 0 closed in last 12 months
Complaint Type                          Total Closed Complaints
Advertising / Sales Issues                     0
Billing / Collection Issues                      0
Problems with Product / Service           0
Delivery Issues                                    0
Guarantee / Warranty Issues               0
Total Closed Complaints                       0

Not exactly the profile of a scamster!!!!

No, none of the above. The problem is that the OP was being asked to pay ["GASP!!!"] for something that she would have to pay for no matter what agency represents her.

Studio36

studio36uk wrote:
It may be garbage to you but having looked closely "under the hood" it is a clean, cleanly coded, and professionally designed site built for them by a company in Colorado, Mad Lab Media.

Studio36

Sounds like this person works for one of these companies...

studio36uk wrote:
In fact as far as the BBB is concerned they are A+ rated and have had zero complaints in the last three years [as far back as the public record goes]
Studio36

Are you serious, my friend? Where have you been? BBB itself is a scam! Don't you know the methods on how they sell membership?

DLatrice wrote:

Sounds like this person works for one of these companies...

Oh my.....
I can about 99.999999% assure you he does not. I think you're missing his points.

Cherrystone wrote:

DLatrice wrote:
Sounds like this person works for one of these companies...

Oh my.....
I can about 99.999999% assure you he does not. I think you're missing his points.

Nope. Never even heard of them before this thread. The only thing we have in common is that we are both located in the northern hemisphere.

Studio36

Wynne Turner wrote:
Do you agree? I will definitely be turning down this "agency." This seems like the classic scam without a doubt.

As if I were your dad or something, I'm so proud of you, Wynne!  You've been learning a whole lot from since your early days of posting on these forums.  You're intuition is right on this one!  That 'woman" sounded like a bully trying to belittle you into believing that she knows the "business!"  It's a typical school/portfolio mill running in the guise of being an "agency" ... which is a gray area at best.  Good for you! 

Rick OBanion Photo wrote:
Wynne.....there are scam agencies like that in every town in North America. They live from the fees they charge you not from the commissions they make by getting you work.
Portfolio mill and whoever corresponded with you is a douche.

There are so many of them.  But then there are so many "want to be models" too.   Getting educated is so very important.   We all have to learn ... and the best way to do so is to be aware.

Looknsee Photography wrote:
For $50, I'll tell you why this is a scam.

Oh hey!  You're in Oregon too! 

studio36uk wrote:
It may be garbage to you but having looked closely "under the hood" it is a clean, cleanly coded, and professionally designed site built for them by a company in Colorado, Mad Lab Media.

Studio36

The coding is produced by Word Press.  So the clean professional design is something any of us can buy.   The copyright date is behind a year, and just because they have no record on the BBB files means very little.  I think IMDmodeling is crap, and they can sue me for saying so if they want to!

Tony Lawrence wrote:
OP, the person who wrote you is correct.   In general the kind of images models need to show real world clients aren't done TF.   Real world agencies will provide you with the names of photographers they suggest.   Most will charge.   I have no ideal if this agency is a portfolio mill and those who have suggested or said it is don't either but that email is very heavy handed.   I don't know anything about the agency but their images look first rate.   My guess is there isn't a lot of work in Oregon at least fashion so they offer classes, etc.   Here is a person on FB you might ask:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skyler-H … 3611721742

They seem to have a decent client list.   I didn't see any negative remarks about them.   Again the kind of photos most model need for commercial or fashion aren't going to be free.   Should you invest with them is the question.

portions of that FB account are written in third person. its kinda of strange if you read long enough.

Tony Lawrence wrote:
OP, the person who wrote you is correct.   In general the kind of images models need to show real world clients aren't done TF.   Real world agencies will provide you with the names of photographers they suggest.   Most will charge.   I have no ideal if this agency is a portfolio mill and those who have suggested or said it is don't either but that email is very heavy handed.   I don't know anything about the agency but their images look first rate.   My guess is there isn't a lot of work in Oregon at least fashion so they offer classes, etc.   Here is a person on FB you might ask:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skyler-H … 3611721742

They seem to have a decent client list.   I didn't see any negative remarks about them.   Again the kind of photos most model need for commercial or fashion aren't going to be free.   Should you invest with them is the question.

Here in California, the laws are different.  I do not know about Oregon or Illinois, but unless you are a combination school/agency, you are not supposed to charge for such services.  I've sent potential models to Elite and Fords LA ... and they've never needed to put out money upfront.  The amount that this IMB is asking for seems excessive to me.  I've shot cards for models back in the 1990's for a local talent agency for which I was on their recommended photographers list ... but they could not require models to use an in house photographer.  If you are a licensed school/agency combination ... then you can require that the models use your in house photographer.  As a music talent manager, I have worked with talent agencies also ... and it would also be a conflict of interest fro me to do both.   Again, I don't know the laws of Oregon regarding this.

We've had problems in the past with "Pay to play" for bands in California having to dish out money to perform in clubs, and also the "Pay to audition" scam has been struck down too!  I suppose many of us would be happy to pay to shoot, correct?

studio36uk wrote:

It may be garbage to you but having looked closely "under the hood" it is a clean, cleanly coded, and professionally designed site built for them by a company in Colorado, Mad Lab Media.

Studio36

Did you miss the "powered by Wordpress" It's basically a glorified blog site with a template. I'd be surprised if they paid more than a few hundred bucks for it.

Crappy web site aside, I did find this article that talks about them
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dl … sitesearch

On the other side, I found this article. Doesn't mention them specifically, but google seemed to think it was relevant when I searched for IMD modeling
http://www.modelingadvice.com/Scams.html

DG at studio47 wrote:

portions of that FB account are written in third person. its kinda of strange if you read long enough.

I agree and it could be fake.   The BBB comments about agencies I don't agree with in general.   Most agencies aren't paying for nothing.   They tend too be pretty cheap.   The email that was sent too the OP was over the top.   Even if they are legit I'd avoid them.   After looking some more they offer classes, etc.   It has too be hard in small markets.   In general I suspect any 'agency' that goes to IMTA.   That doesn't make them a scam but may make them a waste of money.