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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not bother with this modelling agency ?

24 replies

Phoenixxx · 04/11/2019 20:41

Sent my application to a few agencies for a confidence boost. I'm 5'7 so as I thought most rejected me.
However I had a reply from one called MMA which is based in the North West.
They said they wanted to put me on their books, and that if I didnt have a portfolio they would make me one at a cost of £120.

I have zero experience in this kind of field. I work full-time so would only be looking at this as a part-time thing. However I looked on their website today and looked through their catalogue of current models.

This is not at all meant to sound horrible but, all could pass for attractive but there were quite a few who I would not say are models and who looked quite average and plain. However what do I know.

I just worry that I will sign up, pay for this portfolio then never get any work, and this is how they make their money.

Does anyone know of this agency or have any experience about getting into modelling ? Thank you

OP posts:

Otavis · 04/11/2019 20:43

A reputable agency would never ask you to pay for portfolio photographs.

Original poster

Phoenixxx · 04/11/2019 20:44

Really ? So they would make me a portfolio for free ? That does seem strange then. I need to do more research.

OP posts:

LolaLollypop · 04/11/2019 20:45

I think it's pretty much a general rule with modelling that if you are asked to pay, its probably just a money-maker. If they genuinely thought you'd be model potential - i.e. making them money, they'd have you on their books free of charge.

Original poster

Phoenixxx · 04/11/2019 20:47

Yeah, now i know I guess. I thought it was too good to be true that an agency contacted me 😂 I had this kind of feeling that they just take on 'anyone' to make money out of it.

OP posts:

Otavis · 04/11/2019 20:48

Yes, if they thought you had potential, a reputable agency would have a relationship with a photographer who would take shots with different looks for a portfolio/comp cards, knowing they would recoup from the cut of your earnings they would get once you started being booked.

Original poster

Phoenixxx · 04/11/2019 20:49

Yeah, that makes sense. Well at least I know now rather than going and paying £120!

OP posts:

LightDrizzle · 04/11/2019 20:50

Yes, they make most of their money from hopefuls paying for portfolios rather than as a true agency.
You are very short for modelling (though s giant compared to me) How old are you?
Don’t spend any money on this, and only give it time you are happy to lose, if you have potential to make money as a model, you will be picked up by an agency that won’t charge you for anything.

LightDrizzle · 04/11/2019 20:52

Also, if you go for your “portfolio” they will lavish time, flattery and charm on you, then really pressure you to spend more then the minimum spend on the photographs. I looked into this when my daughter and friend got offered this “opportunity”. I managed to dissuade them.

Original poster

Phoenixxx · 04/11/2019 20:53

Yes it's a shame that there are scams like this about :( i'm 5'7 and true, most asked for a minimum of 5'8 whereas this agency didn't request a minimum.
I'll keep that in mind and i'm very glad i've found this out now !

OP posts:

hardyloveit · 04/11/2019 20:58

MMA are a known agency which is a Scam! Do not pay them any money! My daughters are models and with reputable agencies. There's a list of reputable ones and ones that are scams. Let me know if you need any help finding one that's not a scam

Original poster

Phoenixxx · 04/11/2019 21:03

@hardyloveit thanks for confirming that I will steer well clear of them. It's crazy how these agencies are allowed to stay open frankly.

OP posts:

Stuckinanutshell · 04/11/2019 21:04

If you need to pay it’s a scam.

Also it all depends on the modelling. Runway actually doesn’t often want striking facial beauty as it takes away from the clothes. They want a moving mannequin. Maybe research more about modelling before embarking on it.

I was a child model and I know we never ever paid any money upfront - the agency got a percentage of earnings. I was often wanted for a ‘look’ not because I was outstandingly beautiful either.

NameChangedForTheDay · 04/11/2019 22:49

OP I used to book models for well known high street stores as I worked at the photo studios.

The people we booked were attractive, but very ordinary looking. If that makes sense? Unlike some of the haute couture / catwalk models that do look very different from day to day folk.

Not sure what kind of modelling you want to get into. High fashion modelling is very niche. But look at instagram and a lot of TV adverts nowadays, they much have more relatable models.

Many of the models I booked were under 5'8". In fact the company liked using short models on their sofas so that the furniture looked bigger.

I used to book through Elliott Brown Agency and Sandra Reynolds. We booked child models through Alphabetkidz. Maybe worth checking out.

Good luck.

NameChangedForTheDay · 04/11/2019 22:50

Oh and when o booked child models, I booked kids that looked like kids. Gap-toothed and all.

Batmanmum · 04/11/2019 22:57

My friend has paid over 2k to one agency for a portfolio and she is signing up and paying for more. So are all charging company’s in it just for the portfolio and website charge?

CTRL · 04/11/2019 23:00

I’m sure I’ve heard of this one...sure they run the same scam in Putney just over the bridge in a small office somewhere

unfathomablefathoms · 04/11/2019 23:19

I just worry that I will sign up, pay for this portfolio then never get any work, and this is how they make their money

Well, you just described precisely how scams work, so...

Ellisandra · 04/11/2019 23:29

If you want to spend £120 on something, I’d spend it on a few hours of therapy to start you off on a road not to looking for modelling agencies (scam or otherwise) to boost your confidence with some shallow judgement of looks

dontgobaconmyheart · 04/11/2019 23:40

Sorry OP but I think this kind of thing is well known to be a scam. If a modelling agency really was bowled over and thought you would be bookable or something special, they'd be doing it for free and keen.

What's the rationale for wanting to get into modelling? What kind were you hoping to do?

LightDrizzle · 05/11/2019 00:21

Don’t be disheartened. My daughter is super bright and her friend is now a dentist, and they both took some persuading it is as bad as it is. Even once I told them, they were reasoning that nice pro photos for £100 would be a laugh, I had to show them threads online of people who had been first befriended and then cajoled and bullied into spending far above that on their “Portfolios”.
The fact that proper agencies haven’t contacted you doesn’t mean you are a moose, people who photograph amazingly aren’t necessarily the most beautiful people in real life; wide set features can look a bit frog-like in the flesh but often work brilliantly on camera.

LightDrizzle · 05/11/2019 00:27

Batmanmum

That’s terrible! Do you think you can tell her? I know it’s so awkward, you fear they’ll take the hump because you’re “not supporting” them and risk accusations of jealousy. However as a real friend, you should help her question it. £2,000 is a lot of money.

Batmanmum · 05/11/2019 00:49

I don’t think I could confront her, but maybe if it comes up again ask what her return on that first 2k is.

I did initially think it was a scam as she was promised so much work and had the perfect look, but needed the make up session, photos and they need separate Web sites for each client. I didn’t want to say anything because I did wonder if was being bitter. But it’s a huge outlay and she was saying she was going to work all over the world lad for TV adverts, all expenses paid and give up her job etc. She’s not had one casting call To my knowledge since and just signs up too more agents.

BitOfFun · 05/11/2019 00:56

Yes, that's what I'd say too.

mumsdocareme · 05/11/2025 19:13

Someone please tell a real life experience with MMA model agency. I have seen a few negatives and some positives but I am completely confused now.
They wanted me to send two more from my portfolio, though I have sent three before in the application.
They told me to pay £35 if I did not have anymore professional portfolio to pay for my portfolio. I have checked pixie models and I saw people shouting SCAM.
I am now confused between the people and the agencies which ones are the real scammers.

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