There are many disreputable 'agencies' that charge models unnecessary and extortionate fees to join, with nothing in return. As with any top professional agency, at IMPACT there are no hidden costs, signing-on fees, promotional fees, website inclusion charges, on-line profile production costs, etc. Professional companies, like IMPACT, do-not charge these fees but earn money from commissions or royalties through the models work.

One piece of advice that we give to all new models is very clear. As with the previous point, if an agency or company asks you to pay for 'administration', 'signing-on', 'promotional', 'expensive portfolios', 'website inclusion' and the like - SAY NO. A new model should NEVER have to pay to be included on a genuine website, whether that website is for an agency, a studio, or one pretending to be the other. Many of these 'on-line' model sites are fronts for photographic studios in order to book expensive shoots, or money making scams prying on naive young girls who search the internet in pursuit of a dream.

Obviously a new model should never expect a completely free ride, but no agency can guarantee work and therefore should not make these charges. For example, when starting off in business or as self-employed, a ‘Plumber’ would need to spend money on their tools, and it’s no different for a model. A model needs to get her portfolio (Book) together – but this should be done with minimal expense, with a variety of photoraphers and looks (to show versatility), and

only through agency subsidised, or free, photographer shoots.

Example One: We are aware of one particular company that sends out a very glossy publicity pack to everyone who applies, requesting an upfront signing-on payment, from the model, based on the offer of a 1, 2 or 3 year contract. They also offer 'guided tours' of their offices - something that a busy, genuine, professional agency would not do.

Example Two: We are regularly made aware of girls/guys who have been recommended to 'photographic studios' for 'Free' photo-shoots, by internet based agencies. Once there, hard sell techniques are then used in order to 'persuade' the individual to part with hundreds of pounds for the pictures - which even then are only provided on CD, and not as prints. Some examples have well exceeded £1000. It appears, after investigation, that the 'agency' and the 'studio' are the same people. We, and other agencies, plus the DTI, have received many, many complaints about this practice.

Example Three: Another company holds 'Agency Placement' events in hotels, promising to 'place' models with agencies for an 'administration fee'. In reality, the 'agency' that the models are placed with, are the same people holding the hotel event. Top, professional agencies do-not work with these organisations and scout independently.

BEST OF LUCK!