Model
KimberLeigh
Posts: 1384
Howell, Michigan, US
I was recently directed to submit my photos to this agency here on Long Island. I was wondering if anyone on here has signed with them and what they're opinion of them is. I've read some reviews and have seen mixed responses. Good, bad, or indifferent, I'd like to hear them all.
Model
Malin_
Posts: 3902
New York, New York, US
I'm with them (among other agencies) and I know other models who are too. They're perfectly legit and super nice. They're not exactly my main source of work, but they call me once in a while with castings and some direct bookings.
Model
KimberLeigh
Posts: 1384
Howell, Michigan, US
Malin_ wrote:
I'm with them (among other agencies) and I know other models who are too. They're perfectly legit and super nice. They're not exactly my main source of work, but they call me once in a while with castings and some direct bookings. Thanks!
Model
TwinEE
Posts: 45
Los Angeles, California, US
My sis and I are with them also, and yes they are legit like Malin said.
Model
Biana_Libertine
Posts: 3458
Brooklyn, New York, US
They wanted me to sign with them but the same day I got another offer from a more established agency so I declined. Viktoria was with them for a while, she told me positive things about them
Model
Malin_
Posts: 3902
New York, New York, US
Also, just to be clear, you don't sign with them... it's all freelance/non-exclusive.
Model
Lanna_
Posts: 831
Seattle, Washington, US
Malin_ wrote:
Also, just to be clear, you don't sign with them... it's all freelance/non-exclusive. Silly question - is there any benefit to being exclusively signed with an agency? I'd sure miss my freelance work.
Model
Malin_
Posts: 3902
New York, New York, US
Lanna Barrones wrote:
Silly question - is there any benefit to being exclusively signed with an agency? I'd sure miss my freelance work. Yes, but it depends on the agency and what kind of model you are. Also, most models (including myself) don't have the opportunity to make that choice, so there's really nothing to worry about.
I like being non-exclusive because I can make my own schedule, I can test with whoever I want, I'm never worried about being "forgotten" by my bookers since I have so many of them and even though I may not hear from one or two of them in a while, I still get castings and work from others. Also, I don't have agency debt and I don't pay for fedexing, agency comp cards & portfolio etc - I print my cards independently (quality printer but still cheaper than what I paid when I was under contract for a short while), slap agency stickers on them and have a neutral Scuba book without a logo.
On the other hand, non-exclusive/freelance can be a little stressful. Bookers at different agencies get annoyed when they give you a casting and you already got it from someone else. They all want you to work, be successful and have a book full of tearsheets, but they never want to hear about your other agencies. To avoid this, you want to make sure your agencies cover different markets, geographically or workwise (i e one for fashion/catalog, one for commercial print, one for fit/showroom, one for parts etc etc).
Also, there are still costs: you often pay for web and ModelWire and if you're with a multitude of agencies, those fees add up quickly. And while it's cool to be able to test on your own all that, it can be stressful to not have someone in the know who's taking charge in how to market you, choosing your comp card pictures and arranging your book. But it is what it is!
Model
KimberLeigh
Posts: 1384
Howell, Michigan, US
Malin, thank you so much, you are a wealth of information. Everyone else, thanks, I'm still waiting to hear back from them. I sent an email for info and they asked for photos, so I sent some. So, we'll see, wish me luck!
Photographer
BendingLight
Posts: 245
Red Bank, New Jersey, US
Malin_ wrote:
Yes, but it depends on the agency and what kind of model you are. Also, most models (including myself) don't have the opportunity to make that choice, so there's really nothing to worry about.
I like being non-exclusive because I can make my own schedule, I can test with whoever I want, I'm never worried about being "forgotten" by my bookers since I have so many of them and even though I may not hear from one or two of them in a while, I still get castings and work from others. Also, I don't have agency debt and I don't pay for fedexing, agency comp cards & portfolio etc - I print my cards independently (quality printer but still cheaper than what I paid when I was under contract for a short while), slap agency stickers on them and have a neutral Scuba book without a logo.
On the other hand, non-exclusive/freelance can be a little stressful. Bookers at different agencies get annoyed when they give you a casting and you already got it from someone else. They all want you to work, be successful and have a book full of tearsheets, but they never want to hear about your other agencies. To avoid this, you want to make sure your agencies cover different markets, geographically or workwise (i e one for fashion/catalog, one for commercial print, one for fit/showroom, one for parts etc etc).
Also, there are still costs: you often pay for web and ModelWire and if you're with a multitude of agencies, those fees add up quickly. And while it's cool to be able to test on your own all that, it can be stressful to not have someone in the know who's taking charge in how to market you, choosing your comp card pictures and arranging your book. But it is what it is! I'm bookmarking this. Great info, as always...
Model
Malin_
Posts: 3902
New York, New York, US
BendingLight wrote:
I'm bookmarking this. Great info, as always... Thanks Paul! 
Model
Lanna_
Posts: 831
Seattle, Washington, US
Malin_ wrote:
Yes, but it depends on the agency and what kind of model you are. Also, most models (including myself) don't have the opportunity to make that choice, so there's really nothing to worry about.
I like being non-exclusive because I can make my own schedule, I can test with whoever I want, I'm never worried about being "forgotten" by my bookers since I have so many of them and even though I may not hear from one or two of them in a while, I still get castings and work from others. Also, I don't have agency debt and I don't pay for fedexing, agency comp cards & portfolio etc - I print my cards independently (quality printer but still cheaper than what I paid when I was under contract for a short while), slap agency stickers on them and have a neutral Scuba book without a logo.
On the other hand, non-exclusive/freelance can be a little stressful. Bookers at different agencies get annoyed when they give you a casting and you already got it from someone else. They all want you to work, be successful and have a book full of tearsheets, but they never want to hear about your other agencies. To avoid this, you want to make sure your agencies cover different markets, geographically or workwise (i e one for fashion/catalog, one for commercial print, one for fit/showroom, one for parts etc etc).
Also, there are still costs: you often pay for web and ModelWire and if you're with a multitude of agencies, those fees add up quickly. And while it's cool to be able to test on your own all that, it can be stressful to not have someone in the know who's taking charge in how to market you, choosing your comp card pictures and arranging your book. But it is what it is! Good to know, thanks Do you ever have any issues with model releases? Since you're not exclusive with your agency, you're still allowed to test and sign model releases? I know there are some photographers who won't test without a signed release.
Photographer
Simon Gerzina
Posts: 2288
Brooklyn, New York, US
Lanna Barrones wrote:
I know there are some photographers who won't test without a signed release. That's a little unusual - in general, agency testing means that there's no releases or other paperwork (except for possibly the invoice for paid testing). Non-agency testing is kinda the Wild West, so there really aren't any standards.
Model
Malin_
Posts: 3902
New York, New York, US
Lanna Barrones wrote:
Good to know, thanks Do you ever have any issues with model releases? Since you're not exclusive with your agency, you're still allowed to test and sign model releases? I know there are some photographers who won't test without a signed release. Like Simon said, for agency tests there is never any paperwork. I usually set up my own tests but I'm pretty picky with whom I work with so usually I end up shooting with people who test for agencies (or aspire to) and I have never been required to sign anything, at least not in the last couple of years.
Model
KimberLeigh
Posts: 1384
Howell, Michigan, US
Do you know how about how long before I should hear back? I sent a email asking for information on Jan. 24th. They replied telling me to submit photos (Jan. 25th). I sent them my photos (via email in response to theirs), on Jan. 25th. I haven't heard anything back. Approximately how long does it usually take? Was I supposed to submit the photos via mail?
Model
Angel Gonzo
Posts: 1
Islip, New York, US
KimberLeigh wrote:
Do you know how about how long before I should hear back? I sent a email asking for information on Jan. 24th. They replied telling me to submit photos (Jan. 25th). I sent them my photos (via email in response to theirs), on Jan. 25th. I haven't heard anything back. Approximately how long does it usually take? Was I supposed to submit the photos via mail? They have been trying to represent me also I sent them pictures
Via email an they responded quick an asked for comp cards or hard
Copies of photos. Which I just never did because st the time I ha oboe done 2 photo shoots and didn't even have compacts or portfolio. So after 2 or 3 months they email me again saying they were really interested in my look an want to see hard copies sent through the mail so after so much persistence I feel like I have to send them pictures now. But to answer your question lol they want hard pictures or portfolio in the mail. They seem pretty legit good luck
Model
Paul J Ruckdeschel
Posts: 2
New York, New York, US
I just submitted my pics to hampton too. They didn't respond back two years ago when I submitted but today I got an email from a Colleen saying she was sending them to the agency owner and asked me to emai additional pics as well. I live on Long Island and spent my summer in NYC getting pictures done and going to cast calls. The train fair adds up at $60 round trip! So I hope this agency can get me some local work.
|
