Is this modeling website a scam?

Modeling website scam ?

• i recently sent a picture of mysef into the website www.formmodels.co.uk. The website looks genuine and within a day i recieved a text giving me a number to call as they were interested. Around an hour later i was called by the number and the woman (shella) asked to speak to my parent since im 15, when i got home my mum spoke to her and was talked into travelling to londno on thursday and paying a £50 deposit (which we would get back) to make sure we turned up. we were told we would be sent an email with details, this is what i got > Dear Emma, We are writing to confirm your upcoming testshoot/portfolio session at Neptune Studio. Please read the following information carefully and bring this invitation and the signed cover letter with you to the shoot as failure to do so may result in you being denied access to the studio. Your test shoot will take place at our prestigious Waterloo Studio, Southbank On Thursday 29th September @ 11am This shoot will give you an exclusive opportunity to work with some of London’s top makeup artists, stylists and photographers. This elite team of experts will help establish how adaptable your image is while providing model training, including, help with posing, visual connection and taking direction. All of which will assist us in determining if you are suitable for a career within modelling. We can advise on all types of modelling, including commercial, catalogue, high fashion, catwalk or teen. In order to do this we will create 3-4 different looks using hair, clothes and makeup. One of our specialist viewers will assess your photographs and determine if you have the potential and ability to get work within modelling. For this reason we ask you to bring along 6-7 different outfits. Including various pairs of shoes and accessories. (If it is decided you are not successful you will be informed and the images will be erased for copyright reasons) Successful models will be given the opportunity to purchase a portfolio directly from the studio, Here at Neptune studios we sell a variety of portfolio packages with Images starting at £50 each and decreasing in price the more you purchase. Our dedicated team will be on hand to help you ascertain what type of portfolio will be most beneficial to you. However it should be noted that due to the studio’s copyright policy, images are only available while you are at the studio. Once you leave we will erase all unused images. Please be aware this is an individual appointment with one of London’s most respected and creative photography and make up teams. To ensure you get the most out of this experience you will need to allow 3-4 hours for the shoot and should arrive on time and be mentally and physically prepared to give it your all. Should you fail to arrive for your appointment you will be charged £140 cancellation fee to cover the cost of the studio time. Kind Regards Shella Sharif New Faces manager

• Answer:

  Hi, I've never heard of a modelling agency looking for cash up front as a "deposit". I also sent a photo to an agency a couple of years ago,i think it was Diesel Models. I got a phone call a few days later and they asked me to go down to Central London to do a portfolio. They didn't ask for any cash. I was unable to attend the shoot as i live in Scotland and couldn't afford the travel expenses at the time. If they are genuine,i assume they won't ask for cash. Just beware of these agencies.