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 Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 2:04 am
So, I'm wondering.
I have this account on a modeling site ('cause I felt vain at one point, and up and made an account), aaand recently I was contacted by a photographer out of Japan.
Basically, he asked if I was interested in modeling, said that he does alternative clothing, stuff like that, some lingerie and swimsuit stuff (but not necessarily), no n***s or anything like that.
He said he worked with more of a natural sort of look, and he was interested in people with different ethnicity and culture.
He also said he'd pay for both the trip and the work, which is part of why I'm more skeptical.
I'm not stupid, so I'm not just jumping into this (in fact, even I wanted to, I wouldn't have the time for it for quite a while).
If I did go (a big If, just to make it clear) I'd make sure I wasn't alone.
Here's the site, though:
http://www.wix.com/iamlegion/Cavalier-Modelling-and-Photography
What's your opinion on it?
Would you be interested in an offer like this?
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 10:02 am
I am very skeptical, because when I google "Cavalier Modelling and Photography," it doesn't come up at all. Usually you can get reviews for a company, or at least a marketing statement or something. Very little is NOT on the internet these days. Not to mention that "Modelling" is spelled wrong.
The photos in the photo shoots on the website look like the same girl in every one, and it's rather sexy cosplay photos that she poses for. In the "New Models" tab, most of the models are topless or seductively slipping out of their clothes. Frankly, it looks like a try-out for a Girls Gone Wild video before beer is added to the mixture.
The story is a little odd too. To fly someone to Japan is pretty expensive, not to mention putting them up in a hotel. Plus, I'm not sure about the legal portion of using your image in Japan. Do you get paid for the photos? or is it a "come for the experience and free trip" type of deal? Did they offer any information regarding your rights as a modeling tourist in Japan? Usually only the well-established modeling agencies fly their well-represented models to shoots around the world.
Don't take this as an insult, but there are a lot of "Natural Beauties" out there. One of the reasons the modeling business is so competitive is because there are so many pretty faces in the world, and what the face might lack, airbrushing can make up for. Bad attitude or inconvenient location just makes picking the star of the photo shoot that much easier. Just the facts of the business.
To me, it doesn't look like a safe and reputable site. Honestly, I'd be worried that this was an adult-industry scam. I won't regale you with horror stories, but unless you can get some solid and respectable evidence that this photographer/representing site is well known in the main stream modeling world (even if their rep is as a small but successful niche company) then you should not consider going to Japan to work for them.
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ScarletFrost Vice Captain
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Chieftain Twilight Captain
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 10:25 am
hmmmm... confused after looking at it, i find it feels iffy... the fact that they don't give any bios of their models, not to mention the look and feel of the modeling they give is very much for sexual appeal. i understand that this is normal in modeling business, but they say they are looking for "untrained" models, with that "natural look".... a common face for predator traps in modeling....
i have always been wary of modeling companies myself though, i have personal fears and such.... bad memories... but anywho, i do feel that you are making good plans of being safe, and you are clearly someone who knows how to take care of yourself. so i say try it out, see if the money is worth it. but don't ever take your guard down, and keep whatever buddy(s) you are taking with you EVERY time you go, even if you feel that that agency is trustworthy.
hmm, reading Frost's post now, i have to agree that there are way too many red flags here.... if you don't know whether you are getting paid, ask that first, and don't come unless you are going to be paid adequately, prefferably on the first day. also, i'd suggest multiple buddies... ninja just in case things get nasty (in the not-good way!).
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 12:40 pm
I too am getting wee red flags when I look at the website. Though they seem to have at least 6 different girls, a couple do look related. Alot of the shots remind me more of soft porn than fashion photography, especially folder 4, and 5 which makes me even more suspicious. The fact the only non Asian/Eurasian girls are in the new models folder, with one shot each just enforces this to me. Don't get me wrong, if you take a buddy (or 3) it might be okay, but always stay on your guard, and tell people not with you where you're going, and how long you expect to be. Did anyone else notice the difference in quality between some pictures and others...almost like they were taken by different people. Edit:...dear mother goddess, he's a kiwi...excuse me while I do some digging. here is some negative info some more from the same site
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ScarletFrost Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 1:59 pm
As odd as this sounds, this scam reminds me of a Wonder Woman comic, Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia.
In this story, a girl is conned into going to a model photo shoot in Gotham. It's supposed to be her "Big Break," but once there, the "photographers" took away all her identification and personal items, and forced her to take soft porn pictures. Then they gave her something to drink that was drugged, and basically turned the girl into a crack whore. Little strong for a wonder woman comic, right? Well, that's just the back story. I wouldn't want to ruin a very well written and illustrated modern Greek tragedy.
But never doubt that there is a world-wide market for sex slaves. There are people in just about every country, including the all-ethical US, Canada, and the UK who cater to those with power, money, and perverse tastes. And it's easier to make tourists disappear than it is locals.
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Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 7:51 pm
hmm... a little dissapointed that there was not actual info in those posts, nothing conclusive, but yes, i know for fact that the sex slave industry is very large. trafficking goes through everywhere, from everywhere, to everywhere, and it usually opperates in bases that use modeling agencies and salons as fronts. quite alot also use hotels as fronts too.... and of course, the ever popular classic, religious or philosophical cults, or street gangs and biker clubs.
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Chieftain Twilight Captain
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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 2:37 am
There was only a little bit. One post read that there was someone potentially scamming under that name.
Hard to say, though. I had my suspicions from the beginning, and now I have more. In and of itself, offering to fly a model isn't totally out of the ordinary, but it did seem from the beginning strange (if not completely suspicious) that a photographer would fly more inexperienced models than others.
For the record, he did offer to pay me, but yeah, it's not looking like a very reputable company.
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Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 8:50 pm
first rule, always go with yer gut, dear.
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Chieftain Twilight Captain
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