We are often asked modelling portfolio questions by potential models who want to know more about modelling and photo shoots for have compiled this Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) guide.
Our pictures are supplied to Celebrity Pictures photo agency. We work with Chic2Chic, Urban Chic and PR Models agencies along with many freelance models. Our main work is with lingerie/glamour models but we do also work with models for portfolio fashion shoots.
Do you want to be a Model?
Fashion and Glamour Model Info
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about modelling, agencies,model portfolios, scams and promotion.
Modelling can be a very rewarding and enjoyable full time or part time job. Many models work part time around other jobs and others are able to work full time modelling. A select few reach the top with the earnings to match. However there are quite a few scams that are designed to catch out the unwary or potential models that do not know the industry. This page has answers to general questions that are commonly asked giving information about modelling and what to check to help you avoid common modeling scams.
What types of modelling are available?
There are many types of modelling from fashion (eg catalogues) to catwalk, lingerie and clothed glamour seen in magazines such as FHM or Maxim through to glamour such as Page 3 of the Sun. Beyond that there are many categories of nude and adult modelling. We only shoot fashion and glamour photography.
What qualities are required for modelling?
You need to want to be a model and be committed to achieving it! It might sound obvious but it is amazing how many prospective models realise they can't do a shoot for many weeks and then give up. Having the right look and figure is also important but without determination you will not succeed. If you want to be a model then you should always be professional in your attitude. If you provide a phone number or email address you should always return contact promptly.
Are there any restrictions for different categories of modelling?
Different types of modelling do have different requirements. Fashion, in particular catwalk, have more specific requirements for size and you need to be at least 5'8" to be suitable. The requirements for glamour modelling are far more relaxed primarily just a figure that is in proportion. If you are under 5'8" it will be extremely difficult for you to model full time for fashion work.
An Agency want to sign me but I have to pay a fee?
It is very flattering to be told that an agency want to sign you onto their books but before you part with money we suggest you carry out a few checks. Firstly ask whether they are actually an agency. Many will state in their small print that they are not an agency but this may not be obvious from the front pages of their website.
If you are under 5'8" tall and are told that you are ideal for fashion work then be very cautious as they will almost certainly want a fee for doing so. Fashion models tend to be over this height and if a genuine agency think they can get work for you they will not charge fees. Suggest that the agency take their fees from the first work that they get you - it is very unlikely that they will do so.
If an agency want to sign you there should be no fee to pay upfront regardless of whether this is quoted as a charge to appear on their website or for printing of comp cards. A good agency should make their money from commission as a result of getting you work.
If an agency is making their money from fees paid by models to be on their books there is no incentive for them to try to get any work and therefore earn their commission. Agencies that are signing hundreds of models per day cannot possibly have work for them all. Many websites that appear to be agencies are only portfolio hosting sites if you read the small print carefully. Alba Models website has useful info about genuine modelling agencies as well as scams to watch out for.
Some people believe they have been scouted or signed by Diesel Models but they sell portfolio shoots and are not a model agency so do not sign models onto their books. The only genuine model agencies are those that get work for their models. To quote from their website - "Diesel Models is not an agency as it does not find models work. We also offer all our members the opportunity to go to a top fashion studio in Central London." Pure Space Studios (trading as Diesel Models) and Blue Rooms Photo Studio are operated by the same people.
Do I need to pay for pictures for a portfolio?
A common answer you may find is no but unfortunately like many things you get what you pay for. We all have bills that need to be paid but a photo shoot does not need to cost a fortune. Our prices for model test shoots & portfolio starter packages are very reasonably priced and allow you to get a good selection of pictures to start your portfolio. Some portfolio photo shoots may be promoted as being free but you then have to pay for photos or a CD of images.
What if I've been Offered a Free Photoshoot at a London Studio?
Many free photo shoots at studios in London are only free for the shoot itself. If you want the 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 have paid up to £800 for photos at some London studios. At other studios it may be more so it could be advisable to check prices before agreeing to a shoot to avoid any surprises on the day of your shoot. You are likely to be required to pay a deposit to confirm the shoot but our advice is to carefully check the terms of any deposit before handing over your credit card number as some studios do not allow any changes and will levy additional fees if you need to cancel or are late.
Photo studios are not model agencies. For example as stated on the Diesel Models (the trading name for Pure Space Studios) website they are NOT a model agency and do not find your work. Some modelling portfolio shoot companies in London have commission based Sales Executives such as this job vacancy for Blue Rooms Studios/Diesel Models with commission targets to sell portfolios to models. Blue Rooms are unconnected with Blue Room fashion photography by Robb Gibb or the Blue Room restaurant or Blue Rooms recording studio in London. Some models have asked if Diesel Models are part of the Diesel clothing company. They have no association with companies selling diesel such as BP or Shell. Shell V-Power diesel recently powered Audi to victory in the 2006 and 2007 Le Mans 24 hour race, the first time diesel models have won the race. If you are looking to buy Diesel jeans on Ebay or elsewhere you can find tips on how to check they are genuine and avoid fakes here and at Fake Diesel here.
In our opinion you should find out the overall total costs of any shoot including how many photos are included and whether all images are provided on CD within the price before booking an appointment at any studio so that you can compare like for like prices. In our view if a company is unwilling to provide this information to you then you should proceed with caution. Once you have bought photos and the CD of images, a free shoot may work out more expensive than a shoot that includes everything in the quoted price. If you are travelling a long way to get to London then you should also take account of the travel cost for you and a parent. Bear in mind that there are many very good photography studios around the UK that can produce suitable photos for an initial modelling portfolio and you do not need to travel to London for this.
Blue Rooms (London) Limited (Blue Rooms) and Pure Space Studios Ltd trading as Diesel Models operate photography studios focussed on promoting their services to aspiring models. Blue Rooms operates from 115 Portland Street London W1W 6QH and Space Studios operates from 75 Great Titchfield Street London W1W 6RE.
Diesel Models/Blue Rooms/Pure Space studios charge a deposit of £50 for shoots but if you want to cancel or change your shoot you lose your deposit and have to pay additional studio fees of £135 on top of this. If you want to obtain a free photo shoot you will need to both attend the shoot at the correct time and complete the whole process of your shoot including the after shoot sales presentation to be eligible for your deposit refund and will receive no photos. According to Blue Rooms/Diesel Models/Pure Space Studio Terms & Conditions if you arrive late or are under 22 and arrive without a parent the same extra charges apply
making a total charge of £185 without having a shoot.
Our complete package including makeup artist, 10 prints and complete CD of images is only £275 with no hidden costs. This package is substantially cheaper than some studios that offer free shoots.
Some 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.
You may also find that you are offered free Time for Prints (TFP/TFCD) shoots in London or elsewhere which will not cost you other than your time and travel. These are only worthwhile if the photographer knows what they are doing. There is no point wasting time on a shoot if a photographer has no idea how to take, light and compose a photo and is purely using you for training as the results will not be of use for a portfolio.
What are the key portfolio shots that I need?
There are some key shots that you need as a model so that potential clients know what you look like. These include a clear headshot and full height picture. If looking for lingerie and glamour work then this should also include a bikini or lingerie photo.
Do I need good quality photos for my modelling portfolio?
Yes! You may be told that an agency only need amateur photos to judge your potential as a model. This may be true but these days much promotion of glamour models is done outside of agencies on the web with online portfolio hosting sites where the best quality portfolio shots will give you an advantage. Your portfolio should show a variety of poses in the different styles of modelling you are looking to do but include a clear head face shot and full length shot to show your figure.
Do I need agency representation?
An agency can help get work and to represent you for potential modelling jobs required by clients. However as a result of the internet a large number of glamour or nude models now are able to work freelance with their own websites or portfolio hosting sites to generate leads for work. If you are only looking for fashion modelling work it is highly unlikely that you could earn sufficient to live on without agency representation.
What is a portfolio test shoot/time for prints shoot (TFP/TFCD)?
A model portfolio test shoot or time for prints shoot is where a model or potential model attends a shoot with a photographer or studio without having to pay a fee and may receive pictures to use for their portfolio. Although often described as Time for Prints (TFP) it is far more common now for images to be supplied on CD which allows easy use for web portfolios and is therefore known as TFCD (Time for CD). All images taken at a TFP/TFCD/test shoot are still the copyright of the photographer and must not be used or sold without their permission including submission to magazine competitions such as Nuts or Zoo.You may find that you are offered free Time for Prints (TFP/TFCD) shoots which will not cost you other than your time and travel. These are only worthwhile if the photographer knows what they are doing. There is no point wasting time on a shoot if a photographer has no idea how to take, light and compose a photo and is purely using you for training as the results will not be of use for a portfolio.
What does the photographer get from a TFP/TFCD shoot?
A photographer can test out new lighting setups that can't be done on a commercial shoot as the client may have specific requirements for pictures. It also allows photographers to discover new models and enhance their portfolios with more creative images. There is always a demand for new models and test shoots can help them begin. However there is also a risk that the photographer has no idea what he is doing and just wants a model for free to practice taking photos so it is essential that you check examples of their work to ensure it is suitable.
You should always check the quality of work by photographers offering test/TFP shoots and ensure that they carry out the types of modelling you are wanting to do.
Why do you offer portfolio test shoots?
We need models for commercial work at our studio and always require new faces for shoots. Portfolio test shoots allow us to find new models that we can then book for future shoots at the studio. We are particularly interested in local models from Kent, Sussex and Essex.
I'm interested in glamour modelling but not sure if I am suitable?
There is no specific look for glamour modelling so let us be the judge of whether you are suitable. Some models who initially thought they didn't have the right look have turned out to be some of the best models.
What is a model release form? Do I need one for modelling?
A model release is a form that formalises the details of a shoot between the model and photographer. In the UK it is not strictly needed as the copyright laws automatically assign all rights to the photographer so a model release will generally restrict photographers useage rights. If you want to be a model then you will normally be expected to sign a model release before or immediately after a photo shoot. We also always ask for a copy of ID such as driving licence or passport to ensure that you are over 18. Much concern over model release forms seems to be misplaced as photographers are within their legal rights to use images from a shoot with or without a release form. If you are not happy about your photos being shown then modelling is probably not the right career for you! Bear in mind that once your photos are published online then it is virtually impossible for them to ever be completely removed from circulation on the internet.
What types of modelling are available for test shoots?
The type of modelling depends on what you are comfortable doing. Our shoots range from fashion to lingerie and FHM style glamour to page 3 glamour depending on the model. However we have limited shoots available and potential models that are more flexible with their styles are more likely to be chosen for a shoot.
How do I book a test shoot?
Email with your details to info@photo3.co.uk and a full height and close up face photograph so that we can consider your application. If you don't send a photograph then unfortunately we can't consider your application. The picture doesn't have to be professional quality but allows us to decide if you have a look is suitable.
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 with professional makeup for an additional fee. Details on request.
Scams, Warnings and 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?
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 or 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. 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.
Contact details
If you are going to a shoot or meeting with a photographer or agency you should always have details of the contact address and landline phone number. Just because someone claims to be an agency does not mean that they actually are one. Don't arrange to meet in a location such as train station or street to then move on to a "studio". A genuine photographer or agency will have an address and landline phone to work from. A common comment is to avoid photographers using internet based email accounts such as Hotmail or Yahoo. However in my experience although these accounts can be set up anonymously they are also extremely useful when you are travelling and allow email to be picked up worldwide. I would recommend only considering this fact in conjunction with other information such as extremely poor pictures, no website or contact details available. For example someone using Hotmail with only a mobile phone number and no website would immediately ring alarm bells.
Fake Webcam Requests/MSN Messenger Scam Interviews
A genuine agency or photographer will not conduct interviews over MSN or webcam. It is not something that happens in the real world. If a photographer or agency like your photos then they will ask you to attend an interview or test shoot. You are very unlikely to be paid for auditions over webcam so please do not fall for these scams by people pretending to be agencies or photographers. You do not need to send topless or nude photos by MSN or webcam as part of an interview process for any genuine modelling agency.
Chaperones
If you are new to modelling or meeting an unknown photographer/agency then it is advisable to take a friend with you. However if you are being paid travel expenses for the shoot don't expect your chaperone to be paid for as well.
Websites and Examples of Work
Check any agency or photographer website and see examples of their work. Does it look professional and are the images high quality? Most photographers now have websites to showcase their work. If a website address can't be provided you should ask why. Emailed examples of work should be treated with caution as they may not be genuine or produced by that individual. Also check that the photographer does the types of work you want to do - it is no use contacting a fashion photographer if you are looking to do glamour.
Locations
Don't meet in locations such as a train station, deserted building or even houses to then go onto a shoot unless you are very experienced. Make sure you have the actual address of the shoot location, ideally a studio along with full contact details for the photographer and take someone with you. For your first shoots it is far better to only work in a recognised studio with full street address provided in advance to avoid possible problems.
Agency Fees
Some modelling websites such as StandOut Models/Models StandOut appear to be model agencies but are portfolio hosting sites. As of early 2008 their current list of pending work is over 6 months old. Some agencies will accept anyone who pays their fees and make their money from models joining their site. These fees may be shown as charges for Comp Cards but a genuine model agency will earn their money from commission by getting models work. In many circumstances composite (comp) cards are have been replaced by websites. An agency taking on hundreds of people per day cannot possible get sufficient work for them all. Even if an agency takes on 10 people per day (a very low estimate) that is 3600 other people per year that you are competing with which gives an idea of the likely chances of getting work. A mainstream agency may have 30-40 key models on their books that are being placed for work. If an agency makes their money from models joining their books there is no incentive for them to find any work for the model. 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.
Scam and Fake 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 an agency as we do not find models work" which may be hidden in the small print . Some companies suggest that you have "been 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 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.
To contact us to discuss options for model portfolio shoots, please use one of the methods below:
e-mail : info@photo3.co.uk
Phone : 07710-444227
Please bear in mind that we receive many emails per day and have to prioritise shoots so an email with incomplete details or emailing your phone number asking to be phoned back is less likely to get a quick response. It will also speed up a response if you send an email from the account you want a reply sent to.
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.