UK Models works with parents to ensure that your child enters the modeling world safely and to make sure that it’s something that they are ready for. We have 10 years of experience in the industry so we have all the knowledge to guide you and your child through the industry pitfalls until they are signed to a legitimate agency or applying for castings directly. If one of our new faces consultants calls you then please feel free to ask them about any worries you may have.

How to avoid scams

UK Models is in full support of the new legislate brought into place in October 2010 , that no modeling agency should have a joining fee which you pay out prior to signing with their agency.
Modeling agencies make their money through finding you work and taking a percentage of your wages. You should not be paying them any more than a small one off administration or marketing charge.

UK Models does not charge a registration fee to apply to our site and we will offer you great industry advice free of charge.

Here are a few handy tips on how to spot a cowboy agency:

• Be cautious of adverts in local papers, classified ads and online advisements looking for models.
• Avoid contact with companies who have no address or contact number.
• Always be wary of companies who hide behind PO Box addresses.
• If you are under the age of 18, always have an adult accompany you. If you are over 18 it is still a good idea unless you are familiar with the people you will be working with.
• Never sign a contract without reading it and understanding its contents first and establishing that they are a legitimate agency.
• Never let an agency pressure you into doing anything you are not comfortable with.
• You need a portfolio that is specifically catered to the area of modelling you are best suited to, and this is a cost you will eventually cover, but never feel forced or pressured to do so.
• A good model is a smart model – use your common sense and don’t be afraid to say NO.

There are two major scams out there which have lured aspiring models in the past to part with a lot of hard earned cash:

Scouted on the streets:

Many cowboy agencies will send out staff to scout models in the street that they think have potential for fashion modelling. They can often approach you outside top retail outlets and ask if you have modelled before. They will take a photo of you and hand you over details about their so called agency, and say that they can find you work or have a specific job for you. They are generally not a legitimate agency and will never find you any work but they will try and convince you to part with money to either sign with their agency or to produce expensive images which they then wont promote you with.

Applied to an advertisement online/through a newspaper classified ad:

Adverts in the back of newspapers and on Gumtree can look appealing, as they are generally asking for models urgently and are not looking for them to have any experience. Always be extremely careful as this can sometimes transpire into adult modelling and there will always be a cost involved to either sign with them first or again to produce a portfolio. Generally they will ask you to take part in a casting with a host of other applicants that have applied through their advertisement, but during the casting they will try and sell you the images from your session, which are generally unprofessional and have no variety to appeal to an agency.

Always stay safe and checkout an agency online before meeting with them in person and never feel pressured into signing a contact without taking it home and reading it through carefully.