Answering a Reader Question #889

Derrione Mobley Wrote:

 Hi beautiful! I've been following your blog for a month now, so I trust your judgment. I would like to submit to About Faces Models and Talent, but I've seen reports on the Internet that they charge as much as $2,000 for training/classes. However, there are others who have made rebuttals, saying it is all worth it in the end. Is it worth it or should I look into another agency? I'm only asking this but you have said before that modeling classes are unnecessary.

 Hi there, Derrione!

 I'm a firm believer that you shouldn't have to spend a fortune to get started in the industry and to always be wary of any red flags, such as charging exorbitant amounts for classes, training, workshops, etc. As long as they are requiring the funds after offering a contract to an individual and not before (that would be considered an "upfront fee," which is illegal in the US), they are within their right to do that and it is entirely up to the individual whether or not that is a move he/she should make.

 But because a majority of people don't have that kind of financial freedom, I would suggest submitting to other agencies in your area and seeing if there are any that take on talent without those types of fees. If so, and if they are interested in you, then you'll have your way into the industry. You'll only know after you submit.

 However, it is important to remember and understand that there are still costs associated with being signed to an agency that may appear in any number of forms, from putting together your portfolio and hiring photographers to generate your images for the agency to market, to building wardrobe, traveling to castings, etc.

 There is a difference between reasonable and justifiable costs related to getting into the modeling world and straight rip-offs. Submit to as many local agencies as you fit the requirements for and see what responses/feedback you get. There is no time frame or deadline to submit to agencies and even if you've been turned down, you are able to resubmit after 6 months to 1 year so the doors aren't closed to you forever.

 I hope that helps and best of luck!

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