Candi Models Agency Scam? / Review of Candi Modelling Complaints on Scam Model Agencies
Questions about Candi Models Modelling Agency , Model Now UK, Mint Brown photo studios, Legit model agencies, Bogus UK model portfolios, fake modelling scams.
The people behind CANDI Models are now using the name MODEL NOW UK but they still use the same studios in Highgate, renamed 411 Studios.
Candi Models may appear from their website to be a model agency in London but they are run by Mint Brown Highgate Photographic studios. Candi models are NOT a model agency. Candi Models are breaking the UK Data Protection Act by collecting information on models when they are not registered with the ICO. How to get a refund of your deposit money back with Candi Models / Mint Brown Highgate studios
To get updates on modelling scams and news about modelling work please click to like the Photo3 Facebook page If you feel Candi Models has ripped you off like these people and want to help stop others having the same experience then please share this blog link on your Facebook and Twitter.
The Candi Models telephone number is 020 7267 7786 and the phone number for Mint Brown Studios is 020 7267 9887 if you need to call with a complaint about Candi Models.
"Candi Models is run by Mint Brown photo studios. The portfolio shoot with Candi Models is not a free photo shoot. Candi Models will try to sell you a portfolio."
What if I've been Accepted by Candi Models for Portfolio Photo shoot at Mint Brown Highgate Studios in London?
The portfolio shoot with Candi Models is not a free photo shoot. Mint Brown Studios Ltd run the Candi Models website which some people claimed was a scam model agency but it is not a model agency at all so they cannot say if you are suitable for modelling. Your only suitability to them is being able to pay for a portfolio not your looks. Remember you do not need a portfolio to apply to a legitimate modelling agency. Mint Brown Highgate studios in London are a legitimate photo studio but cannot assess you for modelling.
You have to pay Candi Models a £50 deposit to get you to turn up and have to pay another £140 fee if you are unable to attend or cannot bring your parents to the shoot. How much is a shoot at Candi Models? Some people have reported portfolio photos costing £1600 and as much as £2500 at Mint Brown studios.
Common questions and complaints feedback on Candy Models/Mint Brown Highgate Studios
Are Candi Models a modelling agency? Have I have been accepted as a Candi Model?
How much does a portfolio shoot with Candi Models/Mint Brown Studios in London cost?
Have you paid a £50 deposit for a shoot and want to cancel before attending the shoot with Candi Models?
How to get a refund of the £50 deposit money I paid to Candi Models at Mint Brown Highgate Studios?
What is the telephone number for Candi Models Highgate Studios?
Who would you believe to tell the truth about fake model agencies?
Are Candi Models legitimate? Complaints about Candi Models? Do Candi Models get any work? How much do Candi Models pay?
Why are you putting up information about Candi Models / Mint Brown? Is it to get you work?
Should a UK Model Agency be Registered under the Data Protection Act?
If you want portfolio photos as prints or CD you will have to pay for the photos you want and this could be substantial - we have heard from models who say they have paid £2500 for photos shoot at Candi Models London studios. Photo studios such as Mint Brown Highgate studios are not model agencies and often in the small print you will find this shown.
How can I get a refund of the £50 deposit money I paid to Candi Models at Mint Brown Highgate Studios?
Have you paid a £50 deposit for a shoot and want to cancel before attending the shoot with Candi Models?
Under the UK Distance Selling laws Candi Models / Mint Brown are legally obliged to refund your deposit of you want to cancel within 7 days of making the booking. They may try to refuse saying it is not covered as it is a leisure activity but if you read the Candi Models website they say "Apply Now. We run an assessment to help you" which shows they are clearly offering you a service to get you work as a model which IS covered under the Distance Trading Laws. If Mint Brown Highgate studios refuse you can speak to Camden Trading Standards or Citizens Advice to help.
If Candy Models / Mint Brown still refuse to refund your deposit money you might point out that an unhappy customer turning up at their studios stating they think Candi Models are a scam and has no intention of buying photos will both waste their makeup artist/photographer's time and alert other customers to what they are doing. You would expect that Candi Models would prefer to refund your £50 than have customers causing a scene at their premises.
You may be told that the £50 deposit you pay is fully refundable. This is only the case if you attend the shoot and do not buy any photos. If you manage to withstand the high pressure sales tactics then you may be able to get this deposit refunded after the shoot with Candi Models. If Candi Models refuse to refund your deposit or try to charge you another £140 cancellation fee then report them to Trading Standards and contact your bank to dispute the payment.
Have you already been for a shoot at Mint Brown Studios Highgate for Candi Models?
If you paid in full for your photos then there may not be much you can do. You attended a shoot and paid for a service – you were sold the photos you received despite the high prices. If you have not received photos or were misled that the company would get you work then you may want to contact Camden Council trading standards to lodge a complaint about Candi Models as they cover the area where Mint Brown studios are based.
If you have been for a shoot at Mint Brown studios but not paid in full and have now realised that the shoot is not needed to get modelling work with an agency then you may be able to cancel and avoid paying more money. If Candi models have setup a credit plan to pay them over a number of months then it may not be valid if they do not have a consumer Credit licence. You need to find the name of the company that the agreement is with. If you check this name and it is not licenced then the agreement cannot be enforced and the company has acted illegally. Alternatively email us and we may be able to assist looking up the details.
"You do not need to buy a portfolio to apply to model agencies. The advice from Candi Models/Mint Brown Highgate studios is not correct."
Who would you believe to tell the truth about fake model agencies?
A photo studio like Mint Brown with high pressure sales staff on commission trying to sell you a portfolio at an inflated place that might say anything in order to get a sale
Or
Someone with industry experience giving advice that portfolio is not needed to apply to agencies
Someone working with top industry models such as Katie Green
Consistent advice warning potential models of scams and backed up by industry advice from genuine model agencies
One of the administrators running the largest UK Modelling website (Purestorm.com)
A proven track record of naming scam model agencies over the last 5 years (Edge, Replay, Dynamic, Zebra etc)
Agencies named scams claimed to be genuine but have since stopped trading and left models seriously out of pocket with no work
Are Candi Models legitimate? Complaints about Candi Models? Do Candi Models get any work? How much do Candi Models pay? How much is a portfolio shoot at Mint Brown studios
Candi Models are not a model agency so they cannot get you any work. Form Model will not pay you for any work; you have to pay them for the photo shoot at Mint Brown.
Reports from people who have attended photo shoots at Mint Brown Highgate studios with Candi Models are that the photos cost up to £2500 and people have reported hard sell tactics to get you to buy photos. If you cannot pay on the day then Candi models offer credit agreements so you can pay over a longer period but these are normally not by Direct Debit but via your bank debit card so the full amount can be taken at any time.
Many fake model agencies / photography companies promoting free photoshoots do not publish any prices for the photos or CDs on their websites so it would be sensible to ask prices before agreeing to a shoot to allow comparisons and avoid being scammed by high pressure sales techniques.
Why are you putting up information about Candi Models / Mint Brown? Is it to get you work?
Absolutely not. It is of no business benefit to us as our advice to models is that you do not need to pay for a portfolio to apply to a model agency. Companies such as Candi Models / Mint Brown are in the business of selling you a portfolio, they cannot make you a model as they are not an agency. If you want to book a portfolio shoot for fun then go ahead but it is not needed to apply for modelling.
Our only interest is to stop young models being ripped off. We have seen too many horror stories of people paying hundreds and in some cases thousands of pounds to fake model agencies to become models only to have their dreams destroyed by these companies. Despite the personal attacks to our directors this has caused we only want to stop potential models being ripped off.
Should a UK Model Agency be Registered under the Data Protection Act?
A model portfolio UK model agency collects data on the models that apply to them and those they represent. This is personal data as defined by the Data Protection Act so any UK model agency or company like Mint Brown Highgate/Candi Models must be registered with the Information Commission (ICO). Candi Models are breaking the UK Data Protection Act by collecting information on models when they are not registered under the Data Protection Act with the ICO. This means that your personal data could be at risk as they do not comply with the requirements of the UK data protection laws - would you want your personal details like mobile phone, email, date of birth and credit cards kept by a company that is breaking UK data laws?
If you are looking for information about diesel models, also known as diesel modelling agency in London then this page by Reputable Model Agencies has some helpful warnings here as does the named and shamed page on Alba Models.
What is the telephone number for Candi Models / Phone number for Mint Brown Highgate Studios ?
The Candi Models telephone number is 020 7267 7786 and the phone number for Mint Brown Studios is 020 7267 9887 if you need to call with a complaint about Candi Models or to cancel your photo shoot.
How much does the copyright cost for modelling photos?
Some fake model agencies are now claiming that their shoots are free but that you need to pay up to £800 for the copyright of the photos. This is completely untrue and is just an excuse to charge you for the photo shoot without saying so. You do not need to own the copyright of photos to use them in your portfolio. Most genuine professional photographers would never sell the copyright of their photos except for a very large fee. We do not sell copyright of our photos and it has never caused any problems for our models. You can read more about their tactics for selling photo shoot copyright here
"Make sure you check the price of any photos before handing over money for a shoot and how you get your deposit back. UK models is run by Mint Brown Highgate photo studios so their aim is to sell photos."
Is Mint Brown in London a scam?
Mint Brown Highgate studios in London are a legitimate photo studio. They run Candi Models which is not a model agency and only appears to exist to get potential models to attend modelling portfolio shoots at Mint Brown Highgate studios that they own.
We were asked "I've been called up today by Form models, and they've asked me to go down to London with my parents so they can take some photos of me, is Mint Brown a scam? They say they like my look,and have worked with various popstars. Were a bit dubious about going down because you have to pay £50 to get the photos done, you get it back but you shouldn't pay anything to modelling agencies!Does Anyone know if their a respectable company?"
The answer is that Form models are not an agency. They want you to go to their studios in London called Mint Brown in Waterloo for some photos that you have to pay for. The £50 is only a deposit, it is not the price of the portfolio which can be hundreds of pounds. Candi Models/Mint Brown Highgate have not worked with popstars but one of their stylists or photographers may have worked with a celebrity at some point in the past.
Form models is not an agency so your information is correct: don't pay agencies but also don't pay photo studios that pretend to be agencies either.Find out the total costs of any shoot including how much each photo costs, how many prints are included and if all images are provided on CD If a model does not turn up or cancels with less than 48 hours notice will incur a cancellation fee of up to the full cost of the shoot if it had been paid. In most circumstances this is limited to the studio cost/booking fee of £140. You will be invoiced for this amount if you no-show for your booked shoot or will forfeit your booking fee if you fail to turn up.
A test shoot or TFP/TFCD session can last for around an hour depending on the looks we achieve and the number of pictures taken. We can also arrange for a professional makeup artist to complete a stunning makeover for an additional fee. Details are available on request.
UK Model Scams, Warnings and UK Model Safety Advice
More advice on avoiding scams and general model help can be found here.
Unfortunately the modelling world and associated industries are full of traps and scams that can catch out the unwary potential model. Please make sure you follow basic advice here and on sites such as model safety to avoid become a victim of a scam that could cost you money or risk your safety. We have met models who have sadly fallen for many of these scams please don't add to the list of people affected. We have listed photographer/agency as an interchangeable term below as we have now come across a number of so-called agencies that were just a front for a single photographer. You should also not assume that the person on email is who they say or even the same sex as the name they use. We have seen examples of emails answered by a female name that proved to be from a male photographer.
Received an scam email offering a Fashion Shoot for £3000 pounds for well known brand such as Diesel?
Unfortunately this type of email is a scam to get your details and then for you to cash a fake cheque for them. Well known brands such as Diesel or Coca Cola and genuine agencies will not email potential models directly. This kind of fee is not the level that would be offered to anyone directly off the internet by email, it just doesn't happen like that. The scammers are taking advantage of people wanting to believe that they can make it and have been selected for their looks. The brands, email addresses and amounts may vary but the basis of the scam is the same. Agencies and well known brands do NOT use yahoo or hotmail email addresses to contact potential models. If in any doubt contact the company directly to check if a message is genuine but do not reply to the message and above all DO NOT send any of your details or you will be bombarded with further scams as the scammers sell your details on.
Facebook UK Model Scams : Photographer or UK Model Agency Contact
We have been made aware that individuals are posing as Photo3/Models3 employees to scam potential models on Facebook. We only ever use Photo3 email addresses - not Hotmail or Yahoo accounts and do not request photos to be sent by email or via MSN. Please contact us via our contact page to alert us to any scams using our name.
UK Model Agency Fees
Some modelling websites such as Candi Models Agency appear to be model agencies but are not. Most top agencies are very difficult to join so it is a real buzz to be told that an agency want to sign you. Unfortunately some scams prey on this and will accept anyone who is happy to pay to join which is the first warning sign that an agency is not genuine.
How to complain about scam/fake/con UK model agencies?
If you believe you have been scammed by a company pretending to be a UK model agency and offering you work if you go for a photo shoot with them which then turns out to be a photo studio selling you a modelling photo shoot then the first place is to contact the company involved to ask for a refund for being missold.
If you have booked via the internet then the distance selling regulations should apply which mean you have a 7 day cooling off period to obtain a refund. With many of these companies the small print may well say that they are not a model agency and will not get you work which means that you need to be very clear what you are applying for. It is not a scam if the company has given you information and you haven't read it, although most people would consider it to be a con or a fake and want to complain about their treatment being conned out of money.
If the company do not resolve your complaint then you can contact the Trading Standards department for the council covering the area where the scam/con took place. For example many of the photo studios operating in London pretending to be a model agency would come under Westminster Council. You can find the contact details for registering your complaint with trading standards by searching the council details via Google or Bing.
Scam and Fake UK Model Agencies
Ensure that the modelling agency is genuine and has a track record. I have seen recent examples of a so-called agency site where content has been stolen from other sites (see comments from Banana Glamour on the illegal use of their content by Bluebell Models) and judge whether you would work with someone who acts in such a manner. You should judge the style and content of the website and consider whether it gives a professional impression to potential clients. If not then proceed with caution. Some internet sites that appear to be genuine agencies are not - watch out for phrases such as "we are not a modelling agency as we do not find models work" which may be hidden in the small print.
Some makeover shoot companies that appear to trade as model agencies suggest that you have "been specially selected for a photo shoot" which some people allege could mislead you into believing that you have been chosen by an agency when they are just a photo studio only interested in selling you a portfolio photo shoot.
Just because someone claims to be a photographer or agency doesn't mean that they are - the internet makes it very easy to hide behind aliases so please check to avoid the scams, cons and rip offs.
We have no connections with any sites listed or links provided on this page. We recommend that you make up your own mind by asking relevant questions to ensure any information is relevant to your circumstances. Information may contain change over time or contain errors and should not be relied upon to make any decisions.
We are often asked modelling portfolio questions by potential models who want to know more about modelling and portfolio photo shoots so compiled this Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) guide.
Our pictures are supplied to Celebrity Pictures photo agency. This page has details of model agency scams and information if you need to complain after being ripped off by bogus agencies.
Our main work is with lingerie/glamour models but we do also work with models for portfolio fashion shoots.
