I went to Icon when I was about 16 years old from New York. They wanted to meet with me about signing with them. When I arrived even with a full book they told me that I needed additional photos. This was a surprise because I had a full book. They told me that I needed to work with better photographers and when they told me the names of a few that they suggested I work with, I had ALREADY worked with them. Then they said that my book was fine and that they needed to make comp cards for acting AND modeling. This would run $500 but I would get to keep some. I did this and yes indeed did get to keep some but it was a very small amount and would have cost me about $100. I could have designed them myself. It is a total scam. If an agency wants to work with you go check other ones such as FORD and Elite. They are much more reputable and if they don't want to sign you then you should reconsider why you are in the industry. Also, for people in the US to do work in Canada it is a headache and if they mention nothing of it on an initial meeting it's a huge red flag. I personally would not recommend working with this agency. I am with a much more reputable agency now that I have relocated to Miami and they never asked me for a dime. They send me on several castings a day, designed my comp cards for me for free and told me that I could print them wherever I wanted or that they could print them for me but for a very cheap cost. They are super upfront and do not charge any "fees" for being listed on their website. An agency is trying to make money off of you when you BOOK jobs. Don't trust any agency EVER if they ask you for money upfront. The best thing is to join Modelmayhem.com and shoot with photographers for FREE.
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