It’s important to note that there are several types of modeling “gigs” or “jobs” out there that are called “modeling”, that aren’t actually modeling, at all:

1. The Barbizon / John Robert Powers / John Casablancas Student: For decades, we’ve had many sweet, well-intentioned aspiring models & aspiring actors come to us saying, “I have an agent! My agent is John Robert Powers,” or “I’ve done some modeling. I did a runway show for Barbizon once,” or – the worst of all (at which point we don’t know whether to laugh or cry), “I was ‘accepted’ by John Casablancas after my audition with them“. Of coooouuurrrrssseee you were accepted by these companies… they’re not talent agencies; they’re for-profit modeling/acting schools dressed up like talent agencies, and they will accept anyone whose parents are willing to shovel out thousands of dollars them! You might (or might not) learn something about acting or various types of modeling as a student of theirs, but going to their modeling/acting school damn sure doesn’t make you a “model” or an actor. Although the usefulness of these modeling schools is up for debate, these companies are not talent agencies, and their “modeling shows” are not actual modeling work. Their “auditions” are also not actual “auditions”, either.
2. Promotional Modeling / Brand Ambassador: We don’t have any issue with people taking this kind of gig (it’s usually an honest way to make a quick buck or two), but we don’t believe that it qualifies as actual “modeling”. No camera? No modeling.
3. Trade-for-Print (“TFP”, aka unpaid) Modeling: This is when a start-up (beginner) photographer works out a barter agreement (a contract/deal with no money exchange involved) with a beginner model, in which both parties are able to expand their portfolios. The photographer gets pictures to show off his work, and the model gets copies of the photos to promote her/himself with as well. This might be a cheap, albeit not the safest, way to get some photos done, but doing a TFP shoot doesn’t magically make you a “model”, even if you repeat the process a hundred times. “Modeling” is when an actual established company pays you actual money to “show-off” whatever it is that they are trying to sell.
4. Escorting / Prostitution: Unfortunately, there are businesses that brand themselves as “adult modeling companies” that are actually just escort agencies, which is simply a fancy name for pimps/madams. There are also several large adult film modeling agencies in Los Angeles & Las Vegas that have doubled as prostitution rings, for many years. 619 Modeling takes a very strong stance against this illegal & dangerous industry; we & our clients want nothing to do with it.

Neither the escort, the so-called “promotional model”, the trade-for-print (unpaid) model or the modeling-school-dressed-in-agency-clothing student can rightfully claim legitimate modeling experience, unless they also have separate, actual modeling work that they’ve done. Heck, only 1 or 2 of these types of “fake modeling” even have a camera present, which is kind of a prerequisite to a legit modeling job.

At 619 Modeling, we advise our models to seek-out only actual paid modeling projects with professional, established companies. We promote our models for all types of modeling, including fashion modeling, swimwear and bikini modeling, fitness modeling, and more.

Just make sure that the type of “modeling” that you’re involved in is actually modeling, egh?

Apply online to become an actual model today!