Safety Advice

The modeling world is a dangerous place. These safety tips are by no means comprehensive, so browse the web for authoritative safety advice.


If you are under 18, always ensure there is an adult you know and trust with you at all times.

Whether child or adult, the following holds true, there are sharks out there who appear all too friendly and plausible but who prey on young people who are naive, vulnerable and desperate to get into modeling. Go with your gut feel, if it does not feel right, then it probably isn't. However, if it does feel right, that does not mean it is.

Personal Safety and Security


  • Always ask for references before taking a job and follow these up.

  • If possible take someone with you, if a photographer refuses to allow a chaperone, then turn down the work.

  • Always ensure other people know where you are going, what you are doing, who with and how long for.

  • Where necessary or if you are in doubt, take a companion for security. If the client objects, then his motives may be suspect. Do not work for that client.

  • If a modeling venue or agency office location should be known well in advance. If the location mysteriously changes at the very last moment, be very suspicious, especially if you are alone. The client may be trying to get you to a spot where no one knows your whereabouts, for unpleasant reasons.

  • All references should be through your agency. You do not want to risk being stalked or other unpleasantness.

  • Do not give out personal info to an agency unless you know the agency well: personal info includes your address, social security number, bank card, etc.

  • Do not give personal info to a client. Always refer them to your agency.

  • Be secure, do not get in a car with an agent or client. Use a taxi.

  • Never accept work off anyone if they do not provide full details of who they are; their address and their land line number. You must be sure they are genuine and reputable.

  • Refuse to do work that is dangerous, such as stunts. The Health and Safety Act 1974 should be adhered to at all times.

  • Provision should be allowed for rests/breaks for long sessions.

  • Consider insurance cover, get independent advice on an insurance policy.

  • If a client requests email, use a throwaway account such as yahoo or hotmail.

Financial Safety and Precautions


  • Remember, the game of modeling and entertainment is one of exploitation, you are being exploited for the financial gain of the agent and the client. Often exploitation is mutually acceptable, you gain good money by allowing yourself to be exploited. But often the equation is not so fair!

  • If you are visiting an agency office, then ensure you take a companion that will be able to help when it comes to drawing up contracts, understanding those contracts, and so on. If the agency rips you off then you will have someone that is able to back up your version of events.

  • There is not a huge amount of money to be made for most people in the crowded modeling industry and there are desperate people out there who may make false promises. Worse, there are a lot of scammers and con men and women working the models scene that make a living by asking models to pay for services that are never fulfilled. They are hard to spot, otherwise they would not be so successful.

  • You should be particularly suspicious if someone paints an overly optimistic picture: they may offer promises of overly lucrative earnings, fame and over sell the glamour aspect of the job. Modeling is highly competitive, so if someone is offering you promises that seem too good to be true, beware, they probably are. They may be after up-front payments for which you get little or nothing in return.

  • Another sign that an agent or agency may be crooked is if they put out ads saying models are required. Models are not in short supply, so it is unlikely a genuine, honest agency would be desperately seeking models. If an agent or agency insists on receiving payments in the form of cash, as opposed to cheque or card, they may be crooked.

  • If an "agent" approaches you in the street, they may well be a scammer (many operate this way), so do not trust such a person under any circumstances. Only approach reputable agents and shy away from those that approach you.

If you have any doubts:


  • Do not hand over money up front. (Demands may be made for portfolios and other services. Even if you find a seemingly reputable agent, pay by cheque or card. An honest agent will not mind).

  • Do not sign contracts or anything else (you should never sign a contract unless you fully understand its contents and agree to it anyway).

  • In general be realistic. It is a harsh world, do not raise your hopes or let yourself be charmed by nice people. Look for the shark fin in the water.

  • You should always ask an agency for references and follow these up.