I Need Help Looking for a GREAT modeling Agency?

[Brandon Zelaya]

I need some Help Looking For a teen Modeling Agency in San Francisco I am tired of being tricked my these Fake agencies I'm am dead serious if someone could find me a serious teen agency in or near San Francisco I will be greatfull Thanks.

[Julia]

Barbizon is great! I was in a Maya's run way show, Dillard's bill board, and was in an ad in a magazine within the first month with them! If you are truly good at modeling there will be companies searching for you through barbizon! And you will get a modeling job quick if you already har some experience!

[Jake]

3 out of 4 agencies are scams. Proper research can save you financially, may save your dignity & reputation, & if the scam agent is a sexual predator - it will save you. An easy (but not exclusive) search is to Google the model agency name followed by the word 'scam' and/or 'review' & read the results. Be aware, some scammers will write positive feedback on their negative reviews.

Genuine agents make money by taking a percentage of a model`s fees. They do not have handling fees, signing fees, agency fees (outside of their cut - as noted above) or any other kind of up front 'before-you-can-be-signed' fee. Bogus agencies may insist you pay fees (often extortionate) for a shoot with them to be accepted. Agencies that require a portfolio hosting fee or charge for compcards (z cards) will deduct this from a model`s first job fees.

Genuine agencies do not ask you to pay for test shoots or for the development of portfolios but may arrange specific photoshoots with a reputable or in-house photographer.

Genuine agencies do not expect payment up front for your Z card or website profile. Some may deduct costs from the proceeds of the first paid assignment. Some do not charge fees for these.

Legitimate modelling agencies give a 30 day cooling off period for photographic and audio visual services when these are provided as an additional service.

Legitimate modelling agencies are, by law, registered as employment agencies.

No legitimate modelling agency will ask you for nude or suggestive photographs so that they can assess your suitability as a model. No legitimate agency will ask you to audition via webcam.

Legimitate modelling agencies do not hold mass casting calls / auditions in hotels or shopping centres. Any attending 'scouts' are part of the scam team.

Legitimate agencies do not entice you to join with an immediate offer of work nor do they guarantee you paid work at any time.

Legitimate model agencies have bona fide offices & employ staff who you can talk to on the telephone. Beware, anyone can set up an agency website with a telephone number so further research will also be needed.

Genuine agencies DO NOT ADVERTISE ON GUMTREE, GOOGLE ADS, YAHOO ADS, FACEBOOK OR ANY SOCIAL NETWORK SITE (other than casting calls on bona fide model networking sites) Agencies receive hundreds of applications direct to their offices and have no need to waste valuable time trawling the internet for potential models. To make this clear, when making an internet search relating to modelling ALL the modelling adverts on the right of the screen & in the pink or blue boxes at the top of the results list are ALL scams. Do not presume that if the model agency website you are reading is genuine, that all sites advertised on the same page are also genuine. Google and Yahoo do not verify adverts. More often than not they are scams.

Genuine agencies may have Facebook profiles where people can view information and news on the agency. This does not constitute scouting or advertising.


Avoid modelling schools, their remit is to make themselves money not to make models. They accept anybody willing to pay the high fees they charge but can give no guarantee of your being accepted by an agency. Many will not bother to pass details to the agencies. You are making them money - why should they pass you on to make money for someone else? You are better off applying direct to the agencies & if you are accepted they will give you training for free and you know you are not wasting your time or money.