Warning: Fresh Face site

We want to pass along a warning about a site, Fresh Face Male Models, that is stealing profiles of male models. They post pages on their site pretending that they are the agency for the models. We have confirmed with 2 of our models that they never authorized their images to be on the site. They have emailed the site to have their information removed and were told it would be done. However, they are still on the site.

You should visit the site and find out if you are being misrepresented. You should continue to email them if you find yourself on the site.
Site: http://freshfacemalemodels.com

Stolen Images, Lies and Threats - A Scammer Unmasked

A warning from top fitness photographer Pat Lee about fake agent Jonathan Ayana who uses other alias.
http://patlee.tumblr.com/post/104186703459/scammer-alert-fake-modeling-agent-jonathan-ayana 

Houston Caution: Jason Mortel

We have an unfortunate and unprofessional situation that happened in Houston this month. It is actually common so we want to share the story so models can be cautious. We scheduled a first shoot with photographer Jason Mortel in Houston. Immediately following the shoot Jason friended and followed the model on every social site and began contacting him. Our Director Alan Rust asked Jason to work through him so the model didn't have repeated contact. Jason agreed and said he looked forward to working together with Alan more. Jason contacted the model again the next day and that model contacted Alan for help. Alan contacted Jason and again asked him not to contact the model. Jason began long angry text messages. Alan then canceled a future shoot with Jason because of the continual contact with the model and his unprofessional attitude. Jason began what seemed like threats toward Alan and has started telling others in Houston about his side of the story. Jason has now refused to provide the model with the photographs that were taken at the shoot. The situation is not how an industry professional should act.

Alan and our team have had situations where the photographer seems to want to become personally involved with the model. In our opinion, a photographer doesn't need to repeatedly contact, message and comment about a model. It should remain professional and not personal. Every model should realize that they don't need to share any social sites or personal or social site information with a photographer or industry professional. If any industry professional begins repeated contact, it is always best to just stop the communication. Ask a friend, professional or legal expert to continue the communication. A model release should always be reviewed and signed before any photo shoot takes place. This way a model has legal recourse in case a photographer refused to provide the work from the shoot. It takes both a photographer and a model to make a photo shoot happen. The photographer is no more important that the model.

Alan and ODM will not work with or promote Jason Mortel in the future. The comments in this post are the recollections and opinions of Alan Rust.

The image above was taken by Jason with the model in wardrobe provided and styled by Alan Rust. The image was shared on Instagram but not provided to the model. Jason also did not give the model in this image any credit or mention.

NCB NorCalBodz

A fitness model (who wants to remain anonymous) just told us that he went to California to work with NCB. Here is his statement:

NCB is a f***in joke. he took me to his airport after I wouldn't do boner shots and take Viagra.

Another model recently told us that Gary said if he signed with NCB they would submit him to all the gay porn sites to get them work.

This is information we have been told and we want to alert new models. Anyone can see the photo shoots are very sexual with underwear pulled almost all the way down. Contact OnDisplayMen.com anytime you have questions about the best decisions for your career.

Agency Warning

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I was recently attempting to sign with a larger agency and things went a little sour. I had sent this agency a few of my portfolio shots and I was asked to meet with them. Things went well at the first meeting and I was asked to change a few things about my appearance, and contact them the following month (get leaner, tone down, etc.) When I returned to the Agency, for an open call which I thought was strange, I met again with same people I had the first time. Things were going well, they had acknowledged that I had leaned down and fit the look they wanted me to; this is where they began getting a little pushy about making this $500 investment. I didn't think too much about this because I was an inexperienced model and was ready to make this "investment." I then sat in the lobby of this agency for about an hour while I thought they were thinking long and hard about signing me.

After what seemed like a long time they decided to sign me. Admittedly I was excited, I was getting signed by, what I thought was a great agency and about to have a great opportunity. Once again on the way to get the contract the owner of the agency met with me and became very pushy about making sure that I would be able to make the minimum $500 investment. I said, naively, that this wouldn't be a problem. They gave me the contract and then the "new faces" representative went through a little bit of the contract with me. I was then asked to look over it myself and to sign it after I was through. They didn't really give me the option of getting a copy, or taking it home with me. They were pushy about the "investment" while the "new faces" rep was talking to me. And by pushy, I mean they would mention the investment in photography fees, portfolio fees, etc. and made me feel like if I weren't comfortable with making this $500 and more investment then I was not going to get signed. I signed the contract and everything along with it. The next step after signing was getting my test shots done. Test shots have to be done anyway so that agencies can make sure you look good for what they want to book you out for. I understood that and was alright. The day after I signed I was told to contact the photographer for my test shoot. This is important; the agency basically forced me into using this one photographer. They did not give me a list of photographers, other options etc. On the phone with the test photographer I was to use, I was asked to pay $420 cash. I asked if I could pay this test photographer with check and the photographer make it very clear that I would have to pay in cash. Along with this initial fee, I was going to have to pay for prints, and digital copies which would have been at least another $80.

So, after my conversation with the test photographer red flags started going up in my head.