Advice needed- modelling agency

[Oddcat]

My dd21 has been contacted by a modelling agency called GT Models , she had a long conversation with the guy who has invited her to go to a photo shoot in London to sort of audition . She’s been told to bring 6/8 different outfits for various looks.

We have had a confirmation from the company that will be doing the photo shoot re date and time etc . I’ve googled both the agency and photo shoot company and as far as my very untrained eye can see , they look legit.

Has anyone had any dealings with GT Models ? I’m wary of scammers and dd would be massively disappointed if it is a con.

Have you been asked to pay any money? How did they find your daughter?

I've never heard of the agency, quick google suggests they (GT) ask for deposits and money after to buy portfolios (common with scams).

If your daughter is serious about modelling, take her to London and plan a day visiting all the top agencies (quick google will tell you the successful ones to visit- IMG, NEXT etc) they often do walk in appointments during certain hours.

There site doesn't look great either :/ its never a good sign when no reputable models have come from the agency.

This girl was contacted by them..
www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5717610

*Their!

She’s been asked for a £50 deposit which is refunded when she attends the shoot. They found her on a talent agency’s site.

They'll refund her deposit but then try to flog her a 'portfolio' of overpriced shots.
Once she declines, that'll be it.

A reputable agency would not be asking for money as far as I'm aware.

Be wary of this one OP.

@Oddcat nooooo don't do it!! No good modelling agency will charge you for deposits or shoots or portfolio's, so many big agencies have spoken about this and so many people fall victim :(

I can guarantee she won't get the money back, and she'll be charged at the end for photos which they will push on her and tell her 'she won't be successful without!' and 'she can't work with us unless she buys them'.

She's old enough to go to a professional agency in London for a go see and meet real agents that are in it for the success of their models, and don't charge anything.

Sounds fishy

Righto , thanks all , I’ll tell her to avoid it .

How did they contact your daughter? Do they have any client testimonials on their site or a register of models they are representing or companies their models have worked for in marketing campaigns? Honestly, a quick google here and it looks like one of those photo album scams, they ask for a deposit and then when you go back to choose the pictures they give you the hard sell to try and make you buy their extortionate photos. No modeling jobs ever appear.

They phoned her having seen her profile on a talent (tv extras) site . There aren’t any client testimonials on their site but told her they provide models for Top Shop .

They sent her this list

That list says some of our top picks. That doesn’t mean anything! It could mean, here are our favourite links to try to look legit - enjoy!

The links just lead to photos of people they have obviously had in for a shoot- you can tell they’ve been taken in the same area/ street.

It’s a scam. Go with your DD to reputable modelling agencies if she’s really interested. !

Yes it’s obvious now I’ve had a closer look. She was so excited though.

I’ve had a look at the Next agents and you can send photos to them and apply online , I’ll suggest she does that.

I’ve contacted the top companies that this company claim to collaborate with Elite and Storm model agencies and I’ve sent the details to Top Shop , Chanel and New Look. They are all getting their legal teams to look into it.

@Oddcat that's a good idea! Hopefully if they turn out to be a scam agency (which is what it's sounding like!) they will have legal action taken against them.

I’m on a roll ! I’ve contacted Jd Sports ,JessieJ , Rita Ora (who they claim to have photographed) and Watchdog .

@mnhq I’m getting an advert now popping up from a model agency that I highly suspect is also a scam company .

This is the ad -

Well done for reporting the one which approached your DD.

The ad for the second one will be coming through AdChoices based on what you've been looking at). But perhaps MNHQ would consider limiting/excluding misleading photo-sellers (which pose as model agencies)