by Yulia Blower

Created on: September 24, 2009   Last Updated: September 26, 2009

To be a Model is every little girls dream job. We'd give anything to do it. So when we get scouted in the street our eyes are completely blind to a scam.

I have been a professional Model for the past five years and signed with some of the worlds top agencies, and I feel that I have a pretty good knowledge of the industry.

First and foremost a properly established modeling agency will never ever take any money from you before you start working and earning. So if you are meeting with someone who demands payment for pictures or to be signed, that's when the big red flags should go up! It is the first and biggest sign of a scam.

A real modeling agency will see you as an investment. They will advise you to the maximum without a prior contribution from you. They will see it as beneficial to them, as the better job they do in advertising you the quicker you start earning the quicker they can take their 20%.

In the beginning your portfolio will be built from Polaroids and test photo shoots, which will usually also contribute to the portfolios of the photographic team. As you begin to work your portfolio will slowly build with magazine tears. If your agency ask a photographer to test you, they sometimes will charge. However you should never be asked to pay upfront of immediately. In this case a real agency will always pay for the pictures and credit your account, the money will only be taken from you once you are earning.

A real agency will work to promote you everyday in the best way possible. They should send you on castings or go-sees most days of the week. You should never be expected to find your own work or castings, and you will never be made to do something that you don't want to. Although your agents will push you towards certain things, if you are uncomfortable you will never be forced into anything.

Most established agencies are also never advertised. They have scouts to find girls and although they do hold open calls they are usually only advertised on their website. So usually the agencies advertised in the backs of magazines should not be contacted. If you are interested in Modeling research agencies on the internet, take a look at their girls, does their website look professional? Get in contact with them, listen to what they ask of you and follow your instinct.

Good luck

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