Need Advice About a Modeling Agency

Yes, don't. If they ask you for money, then you should never sign with an agency. (My friends say it, and Tyra Banks has said it several times on ANTM.) Agencies already make a cut off of any shoots that they send you to and you book, so they don't need signing fees. And babies change so much, don't let them fool you into the fact that you are paying for headshots. It's a scam.

On Sunday, check the 550's in the classifieds. Ackerlund and Associates sometimes has open calls for babies and kids. My oldest did two shoots through them. They are a casting company, not an agency, so they don't take any cuts. They hire direct.

First, I have to say, that it is hard to get signed with an agency. My sister's kids are signed with one of the top agencies in Minneapolis, but they agent is her neighbor and her kids are half Korean. The one who gets hired then most is the one who has a "different" look. Check out what is popular in the media right now and you'll see what I mean. Classic beauty is not in right now.

We sent in pictures to many of the agencies, and did not hear back from any of them. It all depends on what they need, and it helps to have inside connections. Also, going to the auditions takes a lot of time, as well as if you make the cut and have to go to a shoot. And even then, your dreams of seeing your child in print may not be realized if they don't make the FINAL cut. They still get paid, but there is no product.

Having said all that. I googled and these are the results that I got with my own comments added. (These comments are only my opinion from experiences I have had.):
A.
Wehmann Models/Talent Inc
- www.wehmann.com - ###-###-####
(recommended by an actress friend of mine)

B.
Meredith Model & Talent Agency
- www.meredithagency.com - ###-###-####
(I've heard of them. I've seen some of their clients at auditions we've gone to.)

C.
Moore Creative Talent Inc
- www.mooretalent.com - ###-###-####
(recommended by an actress friend of mine)

D.
Vision Model Management
###-###-####
(Never heard of them.)

E.
JMG Model & Talent Inc
###-###-####
(my singing group was signed with them when they first started. The fact that they are still around is a good sign. We are not with them anymore.)

F.
Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools
- www.stagecoachschools.com - ###-###-####
(I've heard of them for classes. I don't know why they came up in a modeling search.)

G.
Premiere School of Self-Improvement and Professional Modeling In
- www.premiere-modeling.com - ###-###-####
(Sounds like a school. They'll want you to take classes is my guess.)

H.
Kids.Com
- www.kids.com - ###-###-####
(SCAM!!! We got the postcard, went to the interview. There was a whole lobby of hopefuls and they were very eager to take our money. SCAM!!! Okay, they probably do get kids signed, but there are also a lot who don't get signed.) Their website is huge.)

I.
Caryn International
- www.caryninternational.com - ###-###-####
(They are in the 550's a lot. I went on one audition through them for Target, but they also offer classes. I'm not sure if they are actually an agency or what their status is. I'd be leary. If they ask your child to take classes or ask you for money, that is a telltale sign.)

J.
Arquette & Associates
- www.arquetteagency.com - ###-###-####
(Heard of them. Probably sent photos years ago. I don't know anything about them.)

Okay, this is way more information than anyone wants, but there it is. Good luck.

Don't do it! I got a letter in the mail from the same agency and did some research on it. It appears to me that the person running this business is pretty shady. I also did searches on the better business bureau websites in the states this person has done business in. Here is a link to a website indicating that this business is a rip-off:

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/297/RipOff###-###-#...

Just please be careful!!

The old adage about it 'sounding too good to be true' is applicable here. Check out this website and the reports they have on Gray's.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/297/RipOff###-###-#...

Some very reputable local companies are Caryn Model and Talent Agency, and Wehmann Models and Talent in Minneapolis. Try looking them up online and you'll see the difference-they are the professional agencies you are looking for! Good luck.

Sorry, I've never heard of them and I work in the business. Go with Moore, Caryn, Wehmann, Vision, and Meredith. FYI, you need to go to castings if you expect to get work.

Hi there!

My niece was in modeling for a little bit, through Caryn Intl, and all you should have to pay for is headshots, you should not have to pay any money for them to sign you up.

K.,
I too have been interested but never made the move to take my daughter anywhere. Than last week we actually recieved a letter stating that someone had refered my daughter to Gray's. I decided to do some research first. I found this. http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/297/RipOff###-###-#...

Hope this helps, i know I am staying away from that company. J.

We got a similar letter about a month ago and my husband looked into it. They asked all sorts of questions about our daughter's looks -hair color, skin tone, eye color, any blemishes, etc. After getting more of the details it really sounded like more of a scam. Based on most of the responses here, it is a scam.