Saturday, October 20, 2012

I was sent a photography job for a big magazine by a freelance agent. Could it be a scam

I was sent a photography job for a big magazine by a freelance agent. Could it be a scam?
So I've had my own photography business for not even half a month and I get contacted by a freelance agent working for Men's Health UK saying how their shooting in my area in the next few weeks and need a photographer promptly. She says she found my work on mm (which I do have posted) and is willing to cover all my transport, accommodation and food expenses while there. She also says the pay will be $1,650, $600 of which will be sent as a cheque to secure my work. I am honestly confused if this is how it always happens for these kind of jobs or what? I would think that a big magazine like that has their own photographers they call on.
Other - Careers & Employment - 1 Answers
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1 :
Hi there, i have no knowledge of this business but I can understand why you are wary. Yes i would imagine these mags have their own photographers and wouldnt have to contact freelance at the last minute. I would do a bit more research before agreeing to anything. Ask other agencies if anything similar has happened to them or people they know. Also google their name online. Find the name of their main man and phone their head office to see if its a scam or not.
2 :
Does your style of photography really match up with Men's Health? Not to be mean, but do you think you are good enough to be hired by them at this point? If you have the contact info for that freelancer, I would look them up. Call the main line and ask for the person, to see if they really work there. If it is a freelancer without a "real office" ask for some references. If you feel comfortable, ask to meet with them in person, and ask to see some of the other shoots they have organized. I don't have any real experience, but I would think that most jobs like that are found by word of mouth. That is, a photographer that they work with a lot would recommend his friend or another photog he knows is good or hot at the moment. I suppose in a pinch, they *might* just look on a search site, and go with an unknown. But I think a legitimate freelance agent, would already have list of photogs, and that they would want to meet with you in person, to see if *you* are legitimate and to see your other work. I would be wary that they are trying to do a cheque scam with you. If you go through with this, maybe open up a new account, and just deposit the cheque there and see what happens. Maybe also tell your bank that you are concerned about the cheque being valid

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