Model Mayhem For The Model “Ego”

The model ego always craves attention.  The disappointing thing about the ego is that cravings are never quite satisfied, the ego always needs more. How does that make you feel?  If you are a model, it’s not likely that you feel much positivity in the course of your work. The reason is that being a model is based on vanity, which always breeds insecurity.

The simple fact is thousands of girls that look just like you want the same job. There’s more to getting a real job in the entertainment or modeling industry than good looks alone.

The best advice an aspiring model or actress will ever be told is to have a backup plan! Go to college, earn a degree, attend a trade school, take a workshop to help hone your skills and build your talent. Become more than just another pretty face, because there is always a better looking and a more qualified person than you. Intelligence and real talent afford you security and stock in trade to leverage in the marketplace for whatever your career choice may be.

We live in an era of Internet fame!  Thousands of videos are posted every day on websites like YouTube. Then there are the internet scam websites praying on hopeful models and actors. They cater to your vanity and claim they can make you a model or an entertainer.  Majority of these websites charge monthly fees for membership, photo posting, connections and “upgraded services,” to provide you a photo hosting platform.

A couple of the most misleading model-oriented websites on the internet are called Model Mayhem (MM) and One Model Place (OMP). You should know and please beware they are examples of websites, where model hopefuls create a “portfolio” to be seen by other members of the site ranging from photographers to Photoshop wizards. What is interesting is that they do not offer opportunities for petite models that are 5’5″ and shorter.

One Model Place executives admit that they will only use tall models in their programming on Fashion One and their CEO verbally stated “he doesn’t believe in the use of petite models,” while looking at an issue of Bella Petite Magazine.

Interestingly both MM and OMP still charge fees to petite models while knowingly not offering petite models any real chance at being on their filmed programs, or featured in modeling campaigns or utilized on the runway.  One might assume that they would disclose on the websites terms and agreements contract that they do not use petite models, nor do their “advertisers,”  so you wouldn’t pay them a subscription fee in hopes you may have modeling opportunities. But then they wouldn’t make money off of petite models, and that is quite lucrative for them when you consider their database is primarily filled with petite model hopefuls.  Though this may sound like a reasonable way to make your mark in the modeling industry as a petite model, it’s not.

These websites are simply an “entertainment medium” that takes advantage of those hoping to break into the modeling and entertainment industry through enticing subscribers with free and paid memberships to see your photos. Purportedly, the websites are breeding an atmosphere of men and women picking up on each other.

Who are these so-called important people viewing your graphics?  What you need to know about Model Mayhem and One Model Place is that they don’t allow casting directors, publishers, model and talent agents or advertising agencies to join. Those are the individuals you need to be seen by to get real work as a model, so why pay them?

If you read the fine print, you will find out it states that they are for “entertainment purposes only!”  Oh, how entertaining it is.  There are plenty of amateur photographers and models posting sexually graphic content on a daily basis.

Wannabe Models

A prominent fashion photographer familiar with both sites says, “Model Mayhem and One Model Place has destroyed the meaning of what a real model is. They make every girl feel like she can be a model because her pictures are posted on a page for the public to view”.  This photographer goes on to say, “these sites are known dating websites. They are sexual predators dream where they can easily entice women to take their clothes off, all in the pursuit of becoming a model.” Don’t be mislead for vanity and ego-sake.

Both the photographer and model sources of this article wish to remain anonymous because reportedly the websites administrators (and subscribers) harass and threaten those who speak negatively about their experiences with the websites. It is a disturbing reality to see and experience what they have done and said in public forums as a reprisal to Bella Petite Magazine.  (Source links available upon request.)

Nonetheless, “what is real modeling work?”  Having a book comprised of tear sheets, not random photographs. Sure, you need a few random professional photos to get you started (such as a headshot, full body, and 3/4 length shot), but a model’s job is not ONLY about taking pretty pictures.  A model’s job is to sell a product.

A Working model (Angela) offers the following advice and example of her modeling experiences:

“For example, of what to expect when from a client when you are hired for a modeling job.  Recently, Angela earned a tear sheet from the clothing line Nuvula. They hired her to shoot for their E-commerce site to increase internet sales (not to play dress up in their clothes and take pretty pictures).  Soon, she will have more tear sheets through Nuvula, since they have asked her to shoot for their next catalogue. If you are asked back by a client it is because they had success with your image, which helps to increase sales in their catalogue.

Now, the only reason Nuvula hired Angela, to begin with, is because they saw tear sheets of real work that she’s done for other companies, not because of her 50 unprofessional, or just pretty professional pictures on Model Mayhem, or One Model Place websites. Once you have earned several tearsheets you should be able to be paid scale wages. If you don’t have an agent you will have to negotiate the fee with your client.  Often you will be paid with the clothing you are modeling and tearsheets for payment. This is normally the case if you don’t have tearsheets in your portfolio.

Also, they wouldn’t have rehired Angela to shoot their next catalog, if she would have been anything, but professional after the first shoot!

What does professional mean for a model?   It means knowing that if you are shooting for an E commerce site you are trying to show off and sell the clothes not yourself!

It also means being on time, with a great attitude, without a tag along, ready to put in hours of hard work, with lights in your face, clothes being pinned on you, and nailing the shots quickly, so you do not cost the company more money by slowing down the process.  You need to know that the shoot isn’t about you, it is about the product!

Most work comes through recommendation, which Angela know would not be possible if she possessed a diva attitude, refused to wear certain makeup colors or didn’t know the difference in how to pose for fashion versus glamour.

In other words, if you forget your “model ego” and be the best that you can be, your pictures will shine and you may be hired for a job!

Written by: Editor-in-Chief Ann Lauren 

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174 thoughts on “Model Mayhem For The Model “Ego””

  1. I have an account on MM but what I see here in the article I absolutely agree. I let myself influenced and I created the account..For nothing.
    I always thought that people there are not profesionals, but the information about that profesionals can’t have acount on MM just shocked me. However It explains everything:(

  2. Luv Bella so true model mayhem has tons of horrible photographers trying to hitup on women that’s it!!!

  3. I wish I had better way to promote myself model mayhem has been lame experience only photographers looking for dates 🙁 nice job with this post!

  4. I’ve been browsing on-line greater than three hours lately, yet I by no means found any attention-grabbing article like yours. It’s lovely value enough for me.
    In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the net shall be much more
    helpful than ever before.

  5. I hate Model Mayhem and you are completely right with what you have written here. Now atleast naive ladies should not waste time posting pictures with them!!!

  6. Hello there! This post couldn’t be written any better! It is so true about Model Mayhem!
    Reading through this post reminds me and my roommates of my experience with this stupid model-dating site.
    We’d always chat about this. I will forward this
    article to her. Fairly certain she will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

  7. Jusst desire to say your article is as astounding. The clarity to your publish is simply great
    and i could think you are an expert on this subject. Well together with your permission let me to grab your feed to stay updated with coming near near post. Thank you for the gratifying work you do. Model Mayhem is just dumb and no good for petite models.

  8. I became a photographer just to pick up on ladies and it works well too and model mayhem is the perfect way to hook the ladies. I just tell them I’ll photograph them for free and then I get them in bed! Works like a charm!

  9. Great post right on target! Very entertaining as you say no good for getting real modeling work. I use it to pick up models all the time that’s why I am a photographer in the first place.

  10. I’m a petite model (barely 5’0″), full-time, and get all of my work through MM. It’s paid all my bills, I’m making art, I don’t do explicit/adult work, and I have yet to have a terrible experience with a photographer. Are there creeps on MM? Sure. Are there creeps everywhere? Absolutely.

    I’m really stoked about your magazine, and hope your vision comes to fruition, but I think you have a very slanted and inaccurate impression of MM (especially given that free accounts are available, and plenty of people book good work through that site). I agree that it has a few issues, but it’s a valuable networking tool, especially for models who aren’t “agency standard.”

  11. I rarely create comments, however I browsed a ton of comments on this page Model Mayhem For The Model “Ego” [petite models] – Bella Petite.
    I actually do have a couple of questions for you if it’s
    okay. Is it only me or do some of the responses look as if they are written by brain dead visitors?
    😛 And, if you are posting on additional social sites, I would like
    to keep up with anything fresh you have to post.
    Could you post a list of all of your social pages like your Facebook page,
    twitter feed, or linkedin profile?

  12. Is there a reason you deleted my comment? Or can you seriously not take criticism to the extent that when you’re proven wrong, you have to make sure none of your followers read? It’s pathetic. YOU’RE pathetic. Good luck breaking into the industry, shorty. I’m sure we’ll be seing Bella Petite right up there with Vogue in just a matter of months.

    1. Quick note about BellaPetite.com… We do our best to filter spam comments from the site, and we also do not allow (and will continue to screen) comments on the website that we consider to be personal attacks on individuals. We do encourage healthy debate and dissent when we write opinion posts, but there is no place in a healthy debate for personal attacks. Thank you so much for reading Bella Petite!

      1. So it is ok for your writers and staff to write an unwarranted attach against another web community and it’s members?

        I stand by my comment (which you removed because it was the truth), This article is slanderous and inaccurate. And by deleting unfavorable comments just shows you are not open to constructive criticism.

        1. This article is not an attack it is an opinion piece with information and offers guidance to women. Any comments that we consider to be personal attacks, or are threatening to an individual, a writer or staff member will be deleted. Slanderous and inaccurate information will not be posted as we deem inappropriate. Bella Petite has no obligation to post any of your comments. We do encourage healthy debate and dissent when we write opinion posts. Thank you for reading Bella Petite.

  13. There’s certainly a great deal to find out about this topic. I like all the points you’ve made. Nice job Bella Petite!

  14. the only thing i would like to see more on BP are things that relate to a younger crowd. sometimes i don’t feel like i can relate because the people posting are older than me (not that that’s a bad thing!)
    i just want more….diversity
    but other than that i love BP :]

    1. Hi Diana: Thank you for sharing your thoughts and we will do better for you!

      The Model Mayhem article was written specifically towards women ages 18-25. Our core readers are women ranging from ages 21-40. We have something for everyone on BellaPetite! Thank you for being a subscriber.

  15. Bellapetite… You wont last long in the industry if you think that slandering other more sucessfull modeling sites will somehow make you better. From all the crap that you have written above its clear that you lack the professionalism to get ahead.
    Also your people making jackasses of themselves by spamming the model mayhem forums will only help to bring you down even further.

    It really shows the lack of confidence in your own product..which is a total joke! Look at how ugly you are Bella you slut!

    Good luck! Your models are the dogs of the industry! You are going to really need it!

    1. Jose, BP isn’t the only website or magazine and they’re not the first that slammed websites like MM. It’s just a silly opinion piece so why are you and other MM members taking this whole anti MM article so seriously? Just wandering because it’s just a silly modeling website. People slam Facebook and it’s very popular so if you talk to your regular friends in person, they wouldn’t care about a modeling website being slammed. Just my thought. Calm down MM members it’s just an article from a magazine. BTW, BP is not a modeling website like most of you claim it is so do your research. Go Bella Petite.

  16. The Bella Petite Model search is such a good thing for petite models I have good experience with you and your magazine Miss Ann you are lovely and good!

    1. Thanks for the article. Models are really stupid people never much respect for them at all Model Mayhem is a jokey ET site with pimps, photogs, old guys and loose women looking for money, The ladies are to pathetic to get a real job because they are lazy and dumb for the most part. Modeling is fleeting after you turn 24 you are obsolete. Most ladies look terrible and out of shape by age 28 look around you. Obesity is taking over! Get a real life trying be a model is so lame! Well written article and points made so much sense to me.

  17. Tell ya what…I’ll take the pepsi challenge with any of your so called “Reliable” and “Respectable” photographers that YOU may deal with any day. I’ll bet some of your clients would be clamoring to work with me. With that out of the way….

    The fact that you’ve been nothing but dismissive to anyone that has had anything positive to say about Mayhem, just proves that you like to put a little fear-mongering into the heads of anyone aspiring to be a model. Fact of the matter is this…you’ll get out of being part of any site, that you put into it. Should models be careful? They absolutely should be. Part of the problems many models may have, is that you genuinely cannot tell how a photographer would behave based solely on the images in their portfolio. That said, you do have to do your own homework. Perhaps ask some questions, or contact some of the models that have images in a certain photographers portfolio, to get a read on them, and their professionalism (or lack thereof) There’s creeps out there for sure, but to come out and blast the whole of Model Mayhem, when there are artists and photographers that use the site, are complete professionals, and operate “ON THE LEVEL” is really very UN-PROFESSIONAL on your part. I know plenty of models (In the 5’5 and under range, that you feel you might be doing a favor) that make a pretty nice living feeding off the work and casting from MM. Is it all fashion work? Definitely not. By the same token, it’s not PORN either. You really need to get your facts straight, and the few bad apples that may appear there, certainly do not spoil the whole lot of us. You (and anyone reading this) are cordially invited to go look through my Mayhem port and you tell me what calibre of photographer I am. Does my work look like I’m some bottom feeder that’s looking to get laid? I’ll do ya one better…there’s some pretty prominent and popular fashion and beauty photographers that use the site as well. Ever hear of Stephen Eastwood? Is he a creep? Does his work suck? I dare you to tell me otherwise.

    Please, get off your high horse, and really do the girls that you’re trying to sway a favor and just drop the bench-jockeying. If you’re trying to promote yourself…then promote yourself. No need to try and bash artists and talent that actually live up to their expectations.

    1. You act like BellaPetite is a site to find petite women modeling work or gives them magazine covers or editorials they won’t do that because if they do they will be a joke in the fashion industry!

      Bella Petite is not an agency or a modeling site like MM. It’s a fashion magazine for petite women that gives petite models real tear sheets and gives women under 5’7″ their opinions, tips, advice and has a petite model search so what! Who cares about Bella Petite Magazine they are nothing and never will be anything but a joke magazine and especially true if they use petite models, they will crash and burn and never be taken seriously.

      The only reason why most of you are on here because most of you are MM moderators. Did you know that the creator of MM (Tyler) is getting sued? Bet you people didn’t know that. I can admit, the article did sound like their bashing MM, but why in the hell are you people defending a damn MM modeling website anyway? People say negative things about Facebook and Myspace, so what.

      All magazine (including Vogue, Glamour, Elle, etc) provide their opinions and information. Even the news give out inaccurate and good information and they also do a lot of bashing (ex: Fox News and CNN) so why are you members taking MM so serious Tyler is a con artist and Bella Petite called MM out for being a scam?

      I think that the BP writer have every right to be entitle to her own opinion, accurate or not and I don’t think she deserve that much punishment (especially not for bashing some lame modeling website). Screw MM. Yes I said it. Screw them. I never had an MM account, but my agency “Ford” told me that it’s unnecessary to get one and I’m 5’4″ so screw MM. Get mad at MM for being a farce and scam and hail BP for calling out MM and OMP for the scam modeling sites they are!

      1. I agree with you! When in the agency before retiring, even they said please don’t make an MM profile it is a waste. There is obviously a reason for that.

        1. I go to Model Mayhem to scam on the stupid girls that are desperately seeking attention poor sorry easy targets. Too bad most of them are nothing special to look at. Most of the models are dumber than dirt and insecure that is why men go to this site acting like novice photographers so they can get a date or better yet get these stupid women to take their clothes off in the desperate pursuit of being a model, LOL!

  18. Well done Bella Petite you rock! You really got this write on the money. MM is a joke!

    I love Bella Petite’s great articles and you telling it like it is MM is a SCAM!

  19. Great article Bella Petite and I do like your content, covers and editorials, and petite models. You are setting new standards and breaking all the old school rules!
    The naysayers just want free services from young aspiring models. Obviously, there are those who want to take advantage of young women uneducated in the law, business, and industry specifics. There are a number of analogies between the dangers encountered by people using Craigslist personals and this website.

    Apparently, there are a number of missing persons who listed themselves on this site whose cases are under investigation by police. Clearly, with the prevalence of human trafficking, it seems this site would be a prime hunting ground. A principle in all of the business is that unless you are a major corporate presence, offering something for the free (modeling or otherwise) only devalues your brand. It is a very bad idea. The point about the site disclaimer stating that it is “for entertainment” is a sure tell that the site is there to make money for the site. I’d like to see the statistics on what percentage of users on the site got paying work that established a successful career.

    Obviously, OMP and MM are total scammers produced by sleazy men with bad intentions, and some women like it and don’t have what it takes to be a model and that’s why these joke sitesexist!

    Wise up ladies, Bella Petite did you a favor by courageously calling those scum bags out!

  20. Fact:
    If a model is serious about entering the world of professional commercial fashion modelling then the internet is NOT the place to start, especially for models who do not fit in what is termed mainstream fashion modelling. Of course “Petite” is mainstream but also a very limited niche when compared to real world, fashion modelling.
    If I need a model for a job, the last place I’d look is the internet, be it on MM or anywhere else including here. Those sites could be at best be considered “amateur sites” for mostly amateur models and photographers who wish to network with others of a similar disposition.

    You seem to overlook the fact that there are many, many genres of modelling which includes Fine Art Nudes and Glamour – I notice that some of your supporting posters seem to be suggesting that anyone who models in those genres are somehow devoid of moral compass when in fact it is those very critics who are disingenuous and fail to understand the facts and are ill-informed about the broad spectrum of what is termed modelling.
    OK…you aim to cater for the petite model but, pray tell us how you intend to help those models who fall into that category? Are you going to find all those frustrated petite models, modelling work? Where is this work going to come from because, it’s certainly not going to be in any quantity on mainstream catwalks and to give unrealistic hope to those who would strive to reach catwalk status, is very little better than what is being offered by MM and other similar sites.

    MM is not unlike many other similar sites in that it is fundamentally a social networking site catering mostly for wannabee models and wannabee photographers and all of which will undoubtedly attract good and bad from both categories. If one is to avoid the unsavoury photographers or the thousands of time wasting wannabee models and fake agencies, then the internet is not the place to be looking for career advancement.
    I am not a fan of sites like MM as they generally represent all that is wrong within the industry in this instant fame, reality TV world in which we now live but, they also, if somewhat cryptically, offer opportunities for those who are interested in meeting others with similar interests as well as occasional paid work in their specific modelling genres.

    Finally I’m curious as to why your joining page asks about marrital status and other personal details which don’t appear to be relevent to modelling… is this intended so that other people/businesses can target the subscribers to the site with marketing?

    Antonio

    1. Bella Petite Publishing, LLC is a multi-media magazine platform. We are comprised of a Social Web Community, Radio Show and Daily Digital Magazine with dozens of leading accredited experts. See About Us.http://bellapetite.com/about
      The annual preview issue of Bella Petite Magazine is at http://bellapetite.com/preview-issue
      We have indisputably given hundreds of opportunities to petite models and they have earned legitimate tear sheets that have been published internationally to millions of readers. As the vanguard international multimedia magazine for petite women we will continue to offer modeling opportunities and create content that our readers want. You may follow Bella Petite Models in our models column which we present to you with great pride and integrity. http://bellapetite.com/category/model-search-2/bella-petite-models-column-model-search-2 Have a good one!

  21. Wow!!!!! There are a lot of people that are offended by this article, but all this article is saying is that don’t be on an internet and call yourself a model. A “hobbyist model” isn’t a real model. Just someone who’s taking pictures for free. For some of the short girls on here that are defending Model Mayhem because they say that an agency will charge you thousands of dollars if you’re short. I’m 5’3” sign with an agency and I had never been charged so if an agency charged you thousands of dollars, common sense would let you know that it’s a scam. Short or tall, an agency aren’t suppose to charge you for classes, workshops, or to be with an agency so don’t feel like you need to go on modeling websites to find real legitimate jobs. There are a few castings on modeling sites that are legit, but 75% are scams. I’m amaze at how many comments on here that are defending MM. The funny part is most are glamour models, glamour photographers, and petite models who actually believe that they have to spend thousands of dollars for an agency lol. Nice article Bella Petite keep informing petites because reading all these comments it’s obvious that there are some people who are very naive about the industry. It’s best to use the internet as a tool, not for so called exposure.

    1. As for MM is normal website but not perfect. I am on them and they gave me free promotions which would cost me thousands of euros. I think it is very good when there is such free promotions. But NO paying jobs, NO prizes and NO tearsheets have been given to me from any magazines and not yet experience any real modeling opportunity from being on this free service either MM :-/

    2. I think I may have started this deluge. It is always tough to define an industry when one is an exception. To be a true professional is tough to define, one way is economically meaning you are making a living at it and then I can tell you that few tall, slim models can claim that, in or out of agencies. Fewer still can claim it who do not fit the height/size/weight requirements of the big agencies.

      Know too that 99.99% of all money flows through the major agencies. That still leaves some opportunity for rare individuals to make money and get into the game at least.. This is where the “scams” can come in. When demand for something (like a career in modeling) exceeds supply and the gatekeepers are not well defined, someone will offer shortcuts.

      I spend most of my time working in music and that makes this business look like a cakewalk.

      Bashing people is not smart, and the internet is what you make of it. Even your most successful model would not be considered a pro by IMG, not because she was not pretty, or talented, but because they would not be making the money. If somehow that same model became Taylor Momson or Kate Moss, they would rep them, and guess what? they do. To get to that level of visibility is not easy and the entire world is your oyster, up to you to make it happen.

    3. Hello Kimberly: Thank you for your keen observation and understanding the article’s point. You hit the nail on the head! We appreciate your excellent commentary. Please keep it coming!

  22. Hahahahaha! Bella Petite is being credited in this joke of an article as a legitimate industry tear.

    Being in some webzine for short wannabe models is a tearsheet just as much as MM is a guaranteed gateway to instant riches and celebrity as a model.

    There are real scams out there. They make promises they have no intention of delivering on, but they’re more than happy to take your money. Why not rag of them, rather than on a site that delivers exactly what it promises: “The purpose of this site is to allow artists to connect with other artists and create great art.”

      1. I was under the impression that you could sign up here to be considered for a petite model? This just looks like a page for your magazine.

  23. I’ve shot a gaggle of models, actors, and actresses over the years. Some worked, some didn’t. The ones who had the most success would get up early every morning, brush their teeth, comb their hair, grabbed a handful of 8×10 headshots, and hoofed it to every possible open call they could get to.

    What they didn’t do is sit on their butts waiting to get contacted by surfers on soft-porn sites like OMP, MM, and the rest of them.

    Well done Bella Petite for calling out the crap soft porn OMP and MM sites total garbage modeling scammers! BP is bringing the A-game and your content, covers, and editorials prove it! Compare the horrible models and bad photos on MM and OMP to Bella and it’s game over!

    Bella Petite Magazine is Vogue for petite women! Moveover Anna Wintour, there’s a new Ann taking over and she’s owning it! Ann Lauren is a true visionary!

  24. Guess what. Mm have a grade F with the BBB. It was one complaint in 36 months and MM fails to respond to that complaint. MM and OMP is shit and Bella Petite called them out and that’s courageous and thoughtful to help girls from being taken advantage of and taking the heat here for doing it!

    Look at the amazing covers and editorials with petite models so we see BP is walking the talk!

    What a shame to see BP getting slammed here for exposing the truth. smh

  25. Have a nice day you ladies rock the world here! I am guy and I read you all the time! Bella Petite is awesome! Ann Lauren you are talented and gorgeous you are the Queen of Petites and your petite model cover girls are bringing the heat tall models are out of style! Well done love!

  26. This is why Bella Petite is GREAT I am a fan for life! Ann Lauren, you are right about ModelMayhem and One Model Place they both suck! I’d love to be able to have a model profile on Bella Petite is this possible?

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