emodel.com, Options Talent Group

Dear Modeling Scams,

My son was approached yesterday on the street in Manhattan by a scout from EModel.

He is a fulltime college student, very striking in appearance, and personally I have always felt he could make money in modeling, but he was never interested.

He went to an interview last night, at which he found out that he would have to pay $500 to be posted to their website.

On researching them this morning I have also found out they charge $20/month for at least the first year subsequent to the shoot, which they seem not to have told him yet.

My son has absolutely no experience modeling, although he is naturally photogenic. He is also not free to travel or shoot anytime anywhere, since he’s tied to classes fulltime north of NYC.

I’m a single working parent supporting my son in school (along with another child), and money is tight. However, we’re tempted because it could be a way for him to support himself through college.

Your site advises against companies that charge upfront, but in EModel’s case, they are not actually a modeling agency, but instead are charging the models for exposure to agencies, which almost seems reasonable.

I would greatly appreciate any advice about this situation, because we are total neophytes in this area.

You can take it for granted that he is drop-dead gorgeous as far as looks go, but I have no idea how that would translate into getting jobs and making money, or how fast he might be able to recoup the upfront expenses (essentially $720 or more during the first year).

Thanks so much,

D.

Hi D,

Your son’s best bet is to go to an open call of a local modeling agency.

These are often held once a week. Since he is near NY, the modeling capital of America, he has an advantage over those who are in anytown, USA.

The open calls are free. Since you said finances are tight, I would advise this, especially at the beginning.

As you yourself pointed out, emodel.com is not a modeling agency. The other issue is who is looking at emodel.com?

Apparently not modeling agencies, according to the newspaper article mentioned on Modeling Scams.com. That $500 to be posted on their website is very likely money down the drain.

In theory, the idea, as you put it, “almost seems reasonable.” In practice, however, if modeling agencies find the ethics of emodel.com questionable, or they don’t like to use websites instead of their tried and tested method of contests and open calls, it breaks down.

The thing of it is that you don’t know if modeling agencies are going to see his face when his picture is on the site, but you do know they will see him if you attend an open call in New York.

Why pay for something you cannot guarantee when you can get something you can guarantee for free?

Also, since you said travel is an issue, and your son would not be able to travel anywhere at any time, because he is a full-time student, it is all the more important that he go the traditional open call route with a local modeling agency.

I would advise against the internet approach (unless it is free) until you have exhausted all local possibilities. This would take some time, because he is or you are near NY, where there are presumably more modeling agencies than in any other American city.

There is another website which apparently charges far less than emodel.com. I believe it is about $150 for 6 months, not $500 and $20/month. The latest prices would have to be checked, but their reputation is much better.

As far as how fast your son will be able to recoup the expenses, it is very difficult to say. emodel.com does not offer money back guarantee, do they?

In sum, emodel.com should be the very last place to go, not the first.

If you would like some help in finding New York modeling agencies, I might be able to help locate a directory.

Meanwhile, here is a very useful and very important document filed by New York City Consumer Affairs, a Guide to Modeling and Talent Agencies in New York.

Sincerely,

Editor, Modeling Scams.com

Thank you so very much for your quick reply and your assistance. Your email made a big impression on my son and helped to clarify his understanding of what was happening, and what was wrong about it.

I’m not sure if he is going to follow up on modeling on his own, because it hadn’t been his intention originally, but if he does I’ll let you know how it works out.

Meanwhile, he won’t be signing a contract with EModel.

Sincerely,

D.