If you want to start in the industry of modeling, you must watch for untrustworthy people. Some hustlers are looking to steal from you, promising a great career in exchange for payment. When all is said and done you'll be left empty handed.
Here are some problems that you ought to try to dodge.
1. Forum posts. If you notice an flier posted somewhere - in a local paper, on a newsgroup, etc - then hesitate before responding. Real talent agencies have lots of ready talent, and they do not have to look around. You might want to respond to open casting calls, but elsewise classifieds like these are a bad omen.
2. Charging money up front. If the modeling agency charges you money in the beginning before you can be represented by them, then turn right around and get the hell out of dodge. This is an obvious omen that they aren't making earnings on paid gigs, so they need to make money elsewhere. If they aren't earning money, then you probably won't be.
3. Requiring that you use their connected photog. A real agency will tell you to get a set of images together in addition too some comp cards, but they won't force you to spend tons of cash on their own photographer. You ought to be able to shop around and pick a photographer or composite card printer who you like. If the agency really need a certain photographer, then they'll pay for it.
4. They want you to pay to take their modeling classes or whatnot. It's yet another way for them to scam you. It might feel more honest than a \"representation fee\" or something. But at the end of the day it's the same thing.
5. They guarantee you gigs. If only it were so easy. No one can guarantee that you'll get a job as a hand model, and any company that guarantees that is just trying to swoop in for the kill. odds are, they are attempting to convince you into offering them some cash.
Once you've heard about a handful of these scams, they become not hard to notice. The general idea is that the agency wants to find as many people as possible, charge them fees up front, and in the end keep them busy with a few casting calls. If new clients keep coming in the office, they don't worry you're back at Starbucks not working. They made their cash. Don't let that money be yours.