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Child Fashion Model Biography
As a contributing editor to Child Model magazine, in this issue I wanted to write about a trend that some parents thankfully never had to deal with, and some paid a high price for learning about – Industry Scams. There are many different types out there, but I will mention the most popular.
The purpose of the scammers is to get your money, that is all they are after. Thus it will inevitably come up – the large sums will be asked of you. Preceding that will be a lot of flattery for your child and many promises about making him /her a star in the industry. The most usual scenario goes as follows: at a mall/busy shopping center where you can find people who have at least some money to spend, a “scouting agent” approaches you and comments on how beautiful your child is and whether he/she currently acts/models. You say something along the lines of ”no”, and you get a reply that he/she certainly should, for many reasons. They will usually invite you to visit their very impressive office, where they have on display large photos of current celebrities that they “discovered.” Everything will look very legitimate. They will even a lot of times have a great website (that especially goes for schools and workshops/seminars) with success stories. Sometimes they will have a panel of “casting directors” as many as four, and ask your child to read some lines into the camera for them. Usually they will tell you that they will let you know if your child passed or not. Why not go for the “kill” right then and there? I guess that is too fast, and they want to make sure you are firmly on the hook.
The next day usually the phone rings and you are told that your child has passed and is qualified to be represented by them, but he/she needs a little more instruction/experience to truly make it when he is sent out to auditions and such. These classes will usually cost you around $1200-1500 dollars. It will always be over $1000 from what the research has shown. After all, they have an expensive rent to pay. Parents, usually wanting to support their child’s dreams and aspirations, pay the money and the child attends the classes. After that it is time to wait for auditions and jobs. They never come. The end.
The other popular scam starts the same, but instead of taking classes you are advised that to start, your child needs a strong portfolio with their chosen photographer. It, along with printing of the photo-cards (zed cards, comp cards) will run from $700 to $1200. After that follows the same story – your cards just sitting at the “agency” and no auditions.
To avoid being taken advantage of because your child is pretty and because you are a good parent who wants to support their dream, follow these simple guidelines:
Never pay an agency upfront to represent you.
Always ask for a list of photographers the agency recommends and make your own choice. If the list is limited and all pricing is sky-high, run.
Classes and workshops shouldn’t be more than $100 per class, and usually run around $40-50
Always be cautious when someone posing as an “talent scout” approaches you, get their agency name and google it attaching the word SCAM – you may be surprised of what you will find out.
Be cautious when there is an ad in the magazine/newspaper advertising workshop/seminar that has “industry leaders” as coaches, and sounds just too good to be true (especially if the price tag is exorbitant). Many of the coaches they list have never heard of them (true story).
I suggest you read many real-life stories I have collected from models and parents, and hopefully never fall for these scams. Please visit www.galleryrowstudio.com and search under Blog.
Olesja Mueller is a fashion and commercial photographer based in Los Angeles and traveling internationally. You can see her work at www.galleryrowstudio.com or call studio at (818)-749-0549 with any inquiries.
Child Fashion Model Biography
As a contributing editor to Child Model magazine, in this issue I wanted to write about a trend that some parents thankfully never had to deal with, and some paid a high price for learning about – Industry Scams. There are many different types out there, but I will mention the most popular.
The purpose of the scammers is to get your money, that is all they are after. Thus it will inevitably come up – the large sums will be asked of you. Preceding that will be a lot of flattery for your child and many promises about making him /her a star in the industry. The most usual scenario goes as follows: at a mall/busy shopping center where you can find people who have at least some money to spend, a “scouting agent” approaches you and comments on how beautiful your child is and whether he/she currently acts/models. You say something along the lines of ”no”, and you get a reply that he/she certainly should, for many reasons. They will usually invite you to visit their very impressive office, where they have on display large photos of current celebrities that they “discovered.” Everything will look very legitimate. They will even a lot of times have a great website (that especially goes for schools and workshops/seminars) with success stories. Sometimes they will have a panel of “casting directors” as many as four, and ask your child to read some lines into the camera for them. Usually they will tell you that they will let you know if your child passed or not. Why not go for the “kill” right then and there? I guess that is too fast, and they want to make sure you are firmly on the hook.
The next day usually the phone rings and you are told that your child has passed and is qualified to be represented by them, but he/she needs a little more instruction/experience to truly make it when he is sent out to auditions and such. These classes will usually cost you around $1200-1500 dollars. It will always be over $1000 from what the research has shown. After all, they have an expensive rent to pay. Parents, usually wanting to support their child’s dreams and aspirations, pay the money and the child attends the classes. After that it is time to wait for auditions and jobs. They never come. The end.
The other popular scam starts the same, but instead of taking classes you are advised that to start, your child needs a strong portfolio with their chosen photographer. It, along with printing of the photo-cards (zed cards, comp cards) will run from $700 to $1200. After that follows the same story – your cards just sitting at the “agency” and no auditions.
To avoid being taken advantage of because your child is pretty and because you are a good parent who wants to support their dream, follow these simple guidelines:
Never pay an agency upfront to represent you.
Always ask for a list of photographers the agency recommends and make your own choice. If the list is limited and all pricing is sky-high, run.
Classes and workshops shouldn’t be more than $100 per class, and usually run around $40-50
Always be cautious when someone posing as an “talent scout” approaches you, get their agency name and google it attaching the word SCAM – you may be surprised of what you will find out.
Be cautious when there is an ad in the magazine/newspaper advertising workshop/seminar that has “industry leaders” as coaches, and sounds just too good to be true (especially if the price tag is exorbitant). Many of the coaches they list have never heard of them (true story).
I suggest you read many real-life stories I have collected from models and parents, and hopefully never fall for these scams. Please visit www.galleryrowstudio.com and search under Blog.
Olesja Mueller is a fashion and commercial photographer based in Los Angeles and traveling internationally. You can see her work at www.galleryrowstudio.com or call studio at (818)-749-0549 with any inquiries.
Child Fashion Model
Child Fashion Model
Child Fashion Model
Child Fashion Model
Child Fashion Model
Child Fashion Model
Child Fashion Model
Child Fashion Model
Child Fashion Model
Child Fashion Model
Child Fashion Model
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