Modeling Agency Scams & How to Recognize One — Toronto
4 min readMar 22, 2021
Google is your Best Friend
Google Reviews and Testimonials about Modeling Agencies can tell you an entire story before stepping foot in their doors. How to read and find the legitimate reviews is the key difference between recognizing what is the right choice for you and isn’t. Here is an overview on how to find real reviews:
- Quality over Quantity: The quantity of reviews don’t necessarily mean good things, you can buy 5-Star Google Reviews off from eBay. Instead look for reputed reviewers and the content of the reviews.
- Who is Reviewing: Look at the 5-Star Reviews and check who is reviewing them. If the majority of 5-Star reviews are made by people with only one testimonial ever made from their account, there is a high chance that the review is bought.
- Filter Reviews: Try filtering reviews from the Lowest Rating First. Look at the profiles of people who are leaving negative reviews, how many reviews have the left before, their names, and their grammar. Sometimes negative reviews are left by competitors, it’s your job to discern between personal experiences and fake reviews.
Model & Talent Agency Red Flags
These are a few well known red flags that should make you walk away from an Agency.
- Never Pay for Representation: Your talent is the way agencies earn their revenue, it’s in their best interest to promote you and your talent. If an agency requires you to pay an upfront fee for representation or administration charges, that is a HUGE red flag and you should walk away.
- Mall Scouting: These instances are not limited to being approached by an Agent at the mall. Any scouting by an Agent in-person, by email, or social media is a huge red flag! Legitimate agencies will almost never approach you unless you’re Gisele Bündchen.
- Forced Photo-Shoots: This is a big Red Flag. Forcing you to have a photo-shoot with a particular photographer/photographers for representation. Who you choose for your portfolio is YOUR choice, a legitimate Agency will provide recommendations but never force you to shoot with a particular photographer or make you book a session through them. You should choose your fashion photographer based on your budget, your needs and your preferences.
- Paying for Comp-Cards: This is 2021, almost no one uses printed comp-cards, especially during COVID where being contactless is the way to go. However the rare instances where a printed comp-card is required, it shouldn’t cost you more than $1.25 per card. So if an Agency is asking you to pay for Comp-Cards in the range of $100’s and you don’t have a choice, walk away from representation.
- Promised Work: A career in Modeling is full of uncertainty in terms of getting stable work. If an Agency promises you work, stable income, and lots of money, that is a huge red flag. How you develop yourself as a professional and what is required by casting agents is what dictates your work opportunities. No one can promise you guaranteed work.
- Forcing Signing On: Another big red flag is forcing you to sign on within a short period of time. Many agencies who charge you for representation want you to sign on within the day or hour. This is not a normal process, a legitimate process of representation gives you ample time to research an agency, gather references, go over contract terms and think if it would be the right fit for you. If you’re given an hour or the end of the day to decide, walk-away!
Who are the Reputed Modeling Agencies in Toronto?
Here is a list of Modeling Agencies in Toronto that I have researched and have had the opportunity to work with their talent. If you don’t see a certain agency’s name listed, follow the steps mentioned above to evaluate the Agency’s legitimacy.
- Anita Norris — www.anitanorrismodels.com
- Elmer Olsen — www.elmerolsenmodels.com
- B&M — www.bnmmodels.com
- Plutino — www.plutinomodels.com/models
- Next Models — www.nextmodels.ca
Additional Sources
I’m just a Fashion Photographer based in Toronto, you don’t have to take my word for it. That’s why I’ve included a few links below to help you be safe and smart on your Modeling Journey.
