The amount of genuine, independent professional new model advice and guidance available to individuals wanting to enter the model industry is inconsistent at best, and the success of the internet has seen a huge growth in scams and cons.
Whether an individual is part of the Top Model UK search, or not, this page has been designed to aid and assist those who want to enter the professional ranks of the model industry - and hopefully it will help to stop many young girls, and guys, being taken advantage of or scammed.
There are a few golden, simple rules that should always be followed;
THE UPFRONT FEE SCAM
Models should not be required to pay a registration fee, signing-on fees, admin, etc, to join a professional agency, and should not have to pay to go on to an agency's website or on their books.
There are two main ways that a model agency should earn money directly from a model;
1. Charging a fee to a client when the client books a model for a job, OR 2. Taking a pre-agreed percentage commission from a models booking fee when they find them a job.
Some agencies may require a model to pay for their composite cards (sometimes called zed cards) but many agencies will pay for the cards and take the cost out of the models earnings. Every agency works differently.
THE PORTFOLIO SCAM
NEW MODELS DO-NOT NEED A PORTFOLIO TO GET IN TO MODELLING. Simple.
A professional agency only requires snapshots to decide whether a new model is of interest to them, or not. If signed, any shoots arranged to build up images should be free to the model or very cheap (generally under £100 total cost, dependent on what is included).
If an agency or studio/photographer tells a model that they need to shoot an expensive portfolio, or suggests a 'free shoot' with the addition of expensive prints or images - it's a scam. The people making the approach or recommendations are often also the studio owners or staff so have a financial interest in obtaining a booking.
A models portfolio (or 'book' as it should be referred to) needs to be built up over time at minimal cost to a model and preferably with good agency support. A models book SHOULD NOT cost hundreds/thousands of pounds and SHOULD NOT be shot by only one person or studio.
HEIGHT AND MEASUREMENTS
If a girl is under 5'7" (170cm) in height she is going to be limited to the types of paid fashion work she can achieve.
Girls under 5'7 do get paid work, but it will be limited to photographic and editorial, some magazines, advertising, and promotional work. 5'8+ (172.5cm) for girls and 5'11+ (180cm) for guys are the mainstream industry standards.
STREET SCOUTING
Some professional agencies do it, occasionally, but 99% of the time it's a con - usually relating to The Portfolio Scam.
THE INTERNET
The growth of the internet has seen a huge increase in less than reputable individuals/organisations scamming prospective new models.
All top agencies will have a professional website to promote their model books to clients but will be office based businesses. It's a simple rule to follow. If an agency only operates online, proceed with caution.
Many scam agencies and disreputable individuals also prey on girls by befriending them and offering 'advice' through model forums and websites. The ONLY advice that a new model needs to follow should be sought direct from a professional agency. Don't be lazy. Get on the phone to some top agencies and ask the questions that you would like answered. It's the ONLY way to get good guidance.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER
As with agencies, similar levels of caution should be taken with photographers. If working alone, ALWAYS take a chaperone - it covers both the photographer and the model in cases of any misunderstandings. The photographer may well be genuine, and if they are, they certainly won't mind you taking a chaperone.
An individual photographer should always be researched beforehand and have their own professional website - NOT a studio website. A model should be sure that they have the photographers name who is shooting them, as some studios employ cheap student photogarphers, but similarly some photographers are top professionals.
A new model should make sure that he/she says yes to only the very best photographers to get the best possible images and pictures for their portfolio (book).
And finally...
If in doubt, ask lots of questions and get a second, professional opinion. If still not sure, walk away. If a new model is good enough, they'll get signed eventually and will have genuine professional agencies wanting to represent them.
Latest News
04/07 2010 winner LIZZIE, Impact award winner JENNA and finalist EMILY appear in ELLE and VOGUE online Magazines 'Girl Meets Dress' feature.
01/07 2011 launch confirmed for Monday 6th September 2010.
30/06 2010 charity fundrasing cheque for £4,142.63 presented to CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA.
Become a Top Model UK 2011
Sponsor or Partner!
Contact Marissa on 0845 371 3355 or e-mail us.
See the News! page for all the latest updates & information.
For the 2011 campaign, Top Model
UK are once again supporting
fundraising and awareness with
leading national children's charity
CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA
All text, images, logos and data contained within this site remain the sole copyright of TOP MODEL UK, its subsidiaries, and the TOP MODEL UK brand. All rights reserved and no part or parts herein may be used or reproduced without the express prior consent of the owners and in accordance with Brtish Law. Top Model UK, Suite 404, 324-326 Regent St, London W1B 3HH. The judge's or head judges decisions on all matters are final.
