Has anyone ever done business with Dynasty Models in Boston?

[Beachcomber4]

My kids were with them and worked alot. The did both print and commercials. They are one of the better agencies in Boston and were recommended to me by an industry professional.

[ProvGuy]

All agencies make you buy your own comp cards, and alot make you take a class with them that you have to pay for, etc. It's just how it is. 5 bookings in a year isn't too bad, especially in Boston. It's not a full-time job for most people.

[anonymous8888]

I wouldn't pay $1200 for a headshot, or portfolio photos. That's kind of a ridiculous rate.

My photos were taken professionally, and while I do expect to be told to get new photos, new comp card, new portfolio, and maybe even pay to be put on their website (if they do that sort of service for clients) if I sign with a new agency - I do expect to pay for all of this myself - but I do not expect my photos to be $1200.

A decent, industry acceptable headshot can be done for as little as $150 and can go up from there. Mid-range is about $250. Portfolio building sessions will obviously be more, but still not $1200 unless you're ordering a large number of prints! I hope that they are giving you options when they tell you you need a headshot, and not forwarding you to one specific photographer with an outrageous rate.

There are tons of scam "agencies" and "modeling schools" in New England (all over, really, but there seem to be more scams in New England than actual agencies). It's really disheartening for me, as I've been looking for an actual brick-and-mortar agency that isn't full of people who think I'm stupid to how agencies work and assume I can be easily taken advantage of. Dynasty holds promise!!!!!

You guys really ought to read up on modeling scams. Dynasty does not sound like a scam at all.

If your kid isn't getting work, maybe it's because he's just not cut out for the part (you should expect to hear more "no"s than "yes"s anyway), and if he's constantly being turned away, well then maybe he's just not cut out to be a working model.
It sounds like many of you have at least had offers, though, casting calls and go-sees and that's a positive sign.

I know of these agencies in New England that expect you to pay large amounts of $$$ up front for "seminars" and "classes" (you don't need these, a true agency will help develop you!): -- any agency that is charging you upfront for things besides comp cards, photos, etc smells like a scam and even if they are legitimate, they are unwelcome to newcomers, as no real agency charges people for classes before signing them. "Give us money before we sign you" is a sign that there isn't enough work up front for the models it has already - so walk out the door if you hear that! Agents know that just by signing you, you are not guaranteed any actual work, but you invest a little in photos and hope for the best. So no real agency is going to charge you thousands for "classes" - money that you may never be able to earn back!

And these are scams, for certain: anything with "modeling school" in the title, anything that requires you to take classes and seminars, or anything that has a bad reputation online - (read up on Google before you apply, people - they're known for signing models, getting them to work, and then NEVER PAYING THEIR MODELS.)

[ComMom]

My 5 year old son has been a Dynasty model since he was 1 1/2 years old. His first job was a national print ad for Gerber. Since then he has been in Family Fun magazine, on the cover of a Hasbro game box and 2 Play-doh products. Dynasty is a family owned and operated business. The owners are wonderful people who ALWAYS treat my son with kindness and respect. As with any hobby (which is what modeling is in the Boston market), there are costs associated with it. In modeling, you must cover the cost of your "comp card" which works as your resume. It is no more expensive than say skating lessons or karate classes. The difference is, you earn the money back after a gig or two. Then you can start saving for those college books! =)