My daughter is a professional model. Her publicist was contacted and told that she had an audition with these people and was told to bring several changes of clothing. She got to the location and was told that they were going to start taking photos right away. She began the shoot, and after they had taken several photos she was told that the shoot was going to be $400.00. They told her she COULD NOT LEAVE until she gave them a $100.00 deposit. When her manager contacted them, she was given the comparison that "We are a business. You can't go into Nordstrom's and buy a dress, then tell them you don't want to pay for it". The rejoinder by her manager was that "You don't walk into Nordstrom's and have them hold you captive until you are forced to buy a dress either". The receptionist, Kirsten was rude, arrogant and refused to listen to either my daughter or her manager.in fact her manager was told that she didn't have any business butting in when my daughter had signed a model release. There was no paperwork signed at any time. This Kirsten person also said that my daughter had been given a packet of paperwork, and that her publicist had been told that there was a fee to be charged. Neither of these things is true either. These people are running a poorly disguised photo/ripoff scam. We are also stopping payment. NO legitimate talent or modeling agency will require anyone to pay for photos or require that all photos and comp cards be done in house. NOR WILL THEY REFUSE TO LET YOU LEAVE UNTIL YOU PAY! This is coercion, bait and switch, and as far as I'm concerned illegal. I am complaining to the Washington State Attorney General's Office.
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