My view: Photographers
They are an agencies friend, without them there would be no agency.      Although all too often they think they do not now or will never need an agency to support them or thier ideas. I have dealt with literally thousands of photographers over the last ten years, I have been told (by photographers) your not a ligitimate agency. And I have found this to come from photographers who, (1) Do not know me or anything about me. (2) Are only trying to promote themselves as model managers etc.(3) They are an amatuer photographer, and finally (4) Have absolutely no idea what an agency does for you. And  a so called "model" will believe a photographer over an agent. An agent who spends thousands of dollars on and website, becoming incorporated, hiring an attorney, an accountant, not to mention investing hundreds of dollars in a model because you believe they will make it in the industry and hope you will recoop your investment. Even though my agency has held major events with 50 to 60 models at one time and at large casino's, we have been ambassodors in  large national events, I am still not ligitimate, in a photographers eyes.

Some agencies charge you a large some of money for "test shots". Some tell you you must provide your portfolio before they will even think of scheduling an appointment with you. Some agencies may even tell you to get your comp cards and bring them to the agency. (which may cost hundreds of dollars) Some agencies make you pay everything and they only represent you. And still get thier commission.
Every agency is different. We started an amatuer model campaign this year, with a twist,  there is talent that has absolutely no money to pursue thier dream.

We spoke with our attorney and had a new contract drawn up to include a professional portfolio from TFCD work, for a period of one year, which was sufficient enough time for the amatuer model to become professional.
All the while, when photo's from shoots came rolling in, we marketed those photo's. Which was funded by the agency. It has been a very rewarding but stressful year. Because some appreciate what your doing to help them fufill thier thier dream, some do not. I am not witing an article to promote my agency, I am hoping photographers will understand, you dont have to like me to work for me or with me. And the old addage comes to mind " If you cant say something good about someone, say nothing at all" Lets just try to work together on this.
I have had to ask photographers, please dont shoot our models without asking us, this is because as an amatuer model, the agency is keeping track of thier photo shoots and the type of shoots. We forbid nudity, however some photographers ask the model anyway. I am helping people live thier dream, We have a very small cost ( under 15.00) to be on our website. That  we pay a web company to maintain our website and keep it fresh. The agency provides them within a year, a ten thousand dollar professional portfolio, I print out hundreds of photo's a year per model to send to clients, I include models in all major events, fashion shows, brand ambassadors, trade shows etc. The first year, I make zero dollars off of a model.  If that classifies as a scam or not ligitimate, then there is something seriously wrong with someones thinking process! Of course I do make money from already professioanl models. I wanted to give something back. I wanted to fufill dreams. So, to all the photographers out there, I love what you do, I have never said a bad word about a photographer, if I could do what you do, I wouldn't need you, lets make the world a better place and snap some beautiful people!