Model nonsense

[Billbo]

So, you want to photograph a model or models or make a video and don’t want to get burned? That can be problematic.

While most companies are legitimate, there are a lot of modeling outfits that are on the edge financially, some that operate on the sly and other problems.

Some things to ask when dealing with a company the first time:
1. Where are they located?
2. How long has the modeling company been in business?
3. How many models do you represent?
4. What kind of guarantees?
5. Whom to contact for what.
6. Get a list of fees/fee schedule.


Here are some red flags.

-Demand for all payment, up front. Only prostitutes charge this way, not businesses. Half before, half after or some variation of that is suggested. Legitimate companies will do this. The risk of paying all up front is that some models and/or agencies will take the money and not provide the service and if it’s another country, you are simply out of luck.

-Website is secretive. Doesn’t show head shots of/give the names of models they want to showcase. Big red flag. Don’t bother with them. There is something wrong, often indicating either dishonest or illegal activity, sometimes prostitution. A modeling agency makes its money by selling its product. That means that some portion of its “wares” are visible. An agency that requires jumping through all sorts of hoops to get “in” causes most photographers and producers to pass them by— they merely go to the next modeling agency on their list. They have better things to do than waste ten minutes or more filling out someone’s forms just to get spam emails for the next year in order to see the half-dozen models a “huge” agency has. Nor are they going to “sign up” in advance for something when they have no idea what they are signing up for. Such sites lose out on potential customers. Avoid sites like that. You will find the models you want on other sites.

-Website makes a lot of demands before even knowing what models they have. Also means something wrong. This is a buyer’s market. Pass them by— they are trying to make YOU do what THEY want. You are a professional: expect them to be.

-Too good a deal. If a deal is too good to be true, there is something wrong. People are in business to make money. While some will do things to get exposure or experience, there are limits.

-Agency doesn’t answer the first inquiry. While this may only mean a lack of staff to answer the phone or email, it indicates that they are difficult to get ahold of. If you hire them and a problem arises, you want to be able to contact them in a reasonable time frame.

-Agencies run by ex-models. Some models are smart and business-savvy, but many are not, especially in the U.S., where most models have ego problems and generally not much to back up the ego. Many ex-models think they can “do it better” and find they can’t. The best test is time— an agency that is several years old has proven itself able to survive in the business world.

-Model has a reputation of not showing up. Unless you are a glutton for punishment, you should probably just use a different model. If you must use such a model, one possibility is to pay incrementally, i.e., money for actual work performed, which gives an incentive to be on time, show up for work, etc..

-Model has a reputation for being difficult, picks fights with other models, etc. Like the previous, forget it and find another model. Or, make it a very clear rewards for behavior pay system— good work and good pay, poor work and pay the bare minimum, etc.. Put it in writing. If they attempt power games for more pay or something similar, just send them home without payment. Have a back up model. Let it be known beforehand, too, in writing, that that is what will happen, too.


There are other red flags, but you get the message— use your common sense.


Suggestions:

-If a lot of money is to change hands, such as a large project it’s recommended that you consult a solicitor/lawyer in the country where the model/models/agency is, who can advise you of the law, have a contract done between producer/agency and do the actual transfer of funds when the project is completed. This way a neutral third party can pay or stop payment, depending upon the terms of the agreement between the parties. Safer for everyone.

-Keep accurate records. Most countries require models to be 18, so you MUST keep records. Know what a real ID or passport looks like so that you can spot a fake.

-Find out the laws dealing with this sort of thing for your area ahead of time.

-Make sure the model(s) have comfortable conditions for modeling. A warm studio instead of a chilly one or a warm day versus a cold one. Imagine being unclad in winter snow for an hour or frying at 50/122 in the desert sun. It’s no fun for a model when they are freezing/melting.