August 14, 2017

Aspiring Model? Don’t fall for this scam unless you want DICK pics. (NSFW)

Warning: NSFW, Adult Language & Adult Content

Are you an aspiring model? Have you received a random message on Facebook, Instagram or via Email offering you a modeling contract? Well NO, it’s not real. And if you don’t want DICK pics or some random dude trying to show you his donk on webcam, you probably shouldn’t reply.

This is the story of a model friend from South America asking me the legitimacy of an email she received. I had her forward me the email so I could do some research. Within 30 seconds of reading it, I knew it was a scam. This kind of guy preys on naive girls, they’re the worst scum of society so be warned, models.

Legitimate model agencies WILL NOT send you a modeling contract without ever seeing you in person. Well, at least they’re not going to ask you to model and pose a bikini or implied via Facetime or a Skype session.  The most you’ll get is send us some polaroids or digital photos with no makeup. And this is usually to a real agency email address like someone@majormodels.com or someone@elitemanagement.com. If the email address is something like Yahoo, Hotmail or Gmail, RED FLAGS.

This particular perve was going by the name “Kevin Jones” and the email address was “management.agency.director@gmail.com“. Of course, I was livid after reading the email so had to troll the guy. I replied to the original email address and of course, within 5 minutes, I had dick pics in my inbox. Let the trolling begin. So be warned, if you’ever received an email from someone claiming to be an agent with a top agency, do some research or use some common sense. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

FACEBOOK MESSAGES FROM MY FRIEND:

EMAIL SENT TO MY FRIEND FROM “AGENT” AKA THE PERVE

I’ve highlighted all the warning signs in red. Well, the whole thing can be highlighted in red, to be honest. But I want to point out some key points.

1st EMAIL: Seriously, LOOK at all those grammatical and spelling errors. You think a top agency is going to sound like some scammer telling you your long lost relative was a prince or king and you’ve inherited 1 million dollars! Only if you send like $50 to setup the exchange.

From: Model Management <management.agency.director@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 8, 2017 6:18:30 PM
To:
Subject: MAJOR MODEL MANAGEMENT

Dear xxx
 
 I am the manager of a model agency. We are looking for a new face to represent www.majormodel.com
 
Your appearance might fit to us to work as a model as well as a next swimsuit catalogue shooting in USA. There is also another shooting for a fashion magazine (Haper’s Bazaar – cover girl – implied pose) that you might be interested in. I would like to offer you a contract to work for us as well as these shootings. Please let me know if you are interested in my offer because for now I am very interested in working with you. The payment you get for a swimsuit shooting is 7,000$ – The payment you get for a fashion magazine is 20,000$. If you agree about the proposal, we will have a chance to talk in person about the proposal.  However, we require our applicant to have a skype account.
 
This is our website for you to get more information about us. Please, as soon as possible let us know whether you are interested in working with us as a model.
 
As you know , A scout that find a new face for an agency. When my assistant showed  me the photos of you, I am impressed and I wanted to get in touch with you to show how we are serious about the proposal. As you can see, the agency is located in New York. We work on a modelling, advertisement and commercial film area.This is a serious proposal and I would prefer to talk to people face to face in real life. Some people can use a programme (photoshop) for the photos and videos. That’s why, I need to make sure from you through skype before our meeting in person.
 
Note: You don’t need to pay money for a visa, flight and accommodation. You will be flown all expenses paid for the flight and hotel accommodation for a professional photo shoot session.
 
If you are interested in this proposal, you could get in touch with me about the proposal.
 
Best Regards,
 
Manager
 
Kevin Jones
2nd EMAIL: Of course my friend replied that of course she was interested and would gladly Skype or Facetime to find out more information. I’m really glad she contacted me at this time before anything was setup.
De: Model Management <management.agency.director@gmail.com>
Enviado:
Para:
Asunto: Re: MAJOR MODEL MANAGEMENT

Hey 
 
Thanks for getting in touch with me. 
The swimsuit – Triangl
The magazine – Harper’s Bazaar
 
Below there are some questions that you need to reply before our skype interview.
 
The contract is in an attachment.
 
First name:
Last name:
Birth of date :  
City/Country ( Living ):                                                                   
Occupation:                                                       
Skype nickname : 
 
You could find me on skype through this email address: contact.managementagency@gmail.com
Phone number:                                                  
Social Media Pages ( Facebook,Instagram,Twitter,Modeling websites ):
When would you be able to skype :
Education:
Career Objective:
Measurements:
 
I have just sent the link of my website as well as the contract that you have a chance to take a look at. If you don’t like any term on the contract, you can let me know so we can solve out the problems. Since there are many well-known brands here, Models have a chance to make good money as well as making a career. If you want, I am able to bring a model to our meeting so you can ask what you want. By this way, you see that my models are happy to work with us or not.
 
As I told you before, People can use a programme ( photoshop) for the photos and videos. That is why, I need to make sure from you through a webcam before the meeting because I will come over there from far away. There is a procedure that each model have to do through skype before a meeting in person. The procedure is like a casting before a meeting in person and to sign a contract. I just need to see you full length through skype. Firstly, I need to see you in a dress and later, I need to see you in a bikini.You need to show some poses like a casting – Full length and close up ( face ) , the chest size procedure and some poses for Harper’s Bazaar style – implied pose. It might be weird for you but people are aware of the procedure here. If you make the procedures well on skype, I will come to your city to talk in person and to sign the contract. I can be sure about you through the procedure.
By implied above he means topless. ^^ 
We will arrange a schedule regarding a shooting so you can travel back and forth.
 
If you have any question in your mind, don’t hesitate to ask me.
 
Best Regards,
My 1st REPLY: I can tell you, as soon as I started reading this email, I was pretty livid and pissed off. Immediately I knew it was a scam. These people prey on peoples hopes and dreams, insecurities and youthfulness. My response was pretty direct.

2017-08-09 6:44 GMT+03:00

Fucking scammers like you don’t need to be contacting naive models asking them to webcam.

I’ve worked with Major for years and NO, they don’t have gmail accounts. Reporting this account so guess you’ll have to switch to your other 10 fake accounts.

Is this the only way you get to see girls, by asking them to Skype. First in some dress, then a bikini, then what nude???

FUCKING perve.

3rd EMAIL: Less than 5 minutes after I sent that response, dick pics. That’s right, full monty. Hey, better I received them than this poor girl having some perve wanking off while he’s Skyping with her. Be warned and share this post.

My 2nd REPLY: I’m not going to let this slide, are you kidding me.

AHAHAHAHAHAHA, you’re hairy and have a tiny, tiny dick. No wonder you can’t get any girls.

SMALL DICK ALERT!!!! HAHAHAHAHA

My 3rd REPLY:

t

i
n
y
d
i
c
k
HAHAHAHAHHAA
My 4th REPLY:
HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAHA you have a small wee wee
My 5th REPLY:

😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂

My 6th and 7th REPLIES (and last): I mean what fun if the guy doesn’t respond anymore. You see, it’s insecure douchebags like this I loathe. So hopefully Gmail has taken down that email address. If not, feel free to troll it.
REMEMBER, IF IT’S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS.
September 8, 2016

Conversation with Celesta Hodge

Last summer I had the pleasure of photographing rockstar model Celesta Hodge from Elite Model Management LA. Now we have a rare interview by the one and only, James Clayton.

James Clayton: I’m on my way to meet Model/Actress Celesta Hodge for a lunch interview at the Bel Air Hotel. She’s peaked my curiosity, there’s always an element of innocent intelligence and allure in her work. To my surprise she’s already seated in a booth sipping an Arnold Palmer. Silly me always assuming models are late. Her warm smile puts me at ease.

JC: “Mind if I record the session,” I ask? 

CH:”You mean, whatever I say can and will be used against me?”

Her laugh is infectious and I find myself laughing perhaps a little too hard. Pull it together I tell myself!  

JC: “So how long have you been modeling?”

CH: “Oh gosh,” she says with sigh and a rye smile, “as far back as I can remember. I had a huge trunk full of “dress up clothes” and I would sneak into my favorite place in the house. My mothers closet, and steal her high heels somehow managing to swagger down the halls and not break my neck in the process. I was constantly putting on fashion shows and dress up parties with my little friends. But, professional modeling I started when I was six. It just kind of took off from there. I was always dying to travel and my parents were very supportive and open-minded. I spent a lot of time working in Paris, Milan, London and New York. I feel like those places represent my childhood now.”

JC:”I know you were raised for the most part in Palo Alto California.  Do you call California home, specifically Los Angeles?”

CH: “I do. I’ve always had a fondness for The City of Angels. Nature is such a big part of Los Angeles and it keeps me calm and grounded and it’s also close to my family.”

She orders the burger medium well with a side salad and no bun. 

CH: “I only started eating beef for the first time in my life six months ago. Poor cows” she says. making a sad face. 

JC: “Wait, you never had meat until 6 months ago! When were you born?” 

CH: “I was born in 1990 and raised strictly vegetarian. I don’t like the idea of killing innocent animals it eat! It sounds so barbaric but I have more energy now.”

JC: “What is a Sunday afternoon like for you on a day off?”

CH:”I love going to art galleries and art shows. I’ve always been obsessed with the arts. Probably growing up with an architect father had something to do with it. Not to mention my mother, who always has an ongoing art or craft project. From drawing, painting, furniture, weaving, silkscreening there’s always a new endeavor. I’ve always been fascinated with expression through art and form.”  

JC:” I enjoyed your role in The Bag Man. Can you tell me about your experience getting beaten up by a heavyweight actor such as Robert De Niro?”

CH: “He can beat me up any time,” she giggles. 

“He was truly lovely and so professional. I even got to play with his beautiful Bernese Mountain dog that was in some scenes. I think he was bigger than the Shetland pony I had as a child!”

Sadly lunch is already coming to an end, I don’t want our interview to end. 

JC:”You want to have a cigarette in the garden?” I ask. 

CH: “Oh, I don’t smoke.”

JC: “You don’t smoke and you’re not late, are you sure the entertainment businesses for you?”

She laughs that infectious laugh of hers. 

CH:”there’s no business like show business, so I’ve heard.”

She’s not what I expected. She’s more than I expected. I didn’t ask her if she had a special someone in her life on purpose. Some things are better left to the imagination. 

Los Angeles CA September 29th 2015

Photographer: Jay Marroquin | Hair & Makeup: Amber Rose | Model: Celesta Hodge from Elite Model Management

 

June 18, 2015

Sydney Graus from Elite Model Management

After arriving in LA after an 18 hour road trip from Texas, I figured I would be the only masochist down for long drives. Well I came to find out my brilliant model Sydney Graus from Elite Model Management LA also made the long trek. She did come from a much colder climate in Jackson Hole, Wyoming however. Well let me tell you, there is nothing cold about Sydney. Scouted at IMTA LA this girl is absolutely on fire in front of the camera. To be honest, I’ve never been a big fan of IMTA, mainly due to the high cost, but hey, Sydney was discovered there!

I didn’t have much time to shoot Sydney as her mom was driving in to LA from Wyoming for the first time and we had switched some things on my calendar to make the shoot happen. As with most photoshoots, I wanted to knock out 2-3 looks on both digital and with my trusty film camera. For Syd, I was dead set on shooting some clean jean looks in studio and then taking to some alleys in LA’s fashion district. We saved all the film shots for the alley and I’m pretty stoked about how they turned out. Take a look at a few of my faves and I can’t wait to work with Sydney again.

Comment below, let me know what you think.

Photographer: Jay Marroquin | Makeup: Giovanna Paramo | Hair: Amber Rose | Model: Sydney Graus from Elite LA

June 11, 2015

Celesta Hodge from Elite LA. She turns it up to 11.

How can you put into words, the emotions or feelings you get when doing something you’re passionate about? When the people you work with make you a happy person, a better person? When people give you that which is invaluable, time? You really can’t. All you can do is say thank you.

As a fashion photographer, I can truly say I’ve been a very fortunate person to have worked with some amazing people, in some very amazing places.  Riding a scooter across an island with a gorgeous Australian model looking for a hidden beach in Bali, or shooting on the streets of Tokyo’s Ginza district late at night. Well every place has that special something about it, an allure or magic. Well LA is no different.

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of working with rockstar model Celesta Hodge from Elite Model Management LA. Yes, she’s absolutely stunning, a beautiful girl with the top agency in town. Let’s be honest, that’s why you’re here. To appreciate some great photos of a girl who absolutely kills it in front of the camera. Whether you appreciate the photography, the beauty of the model, or the art, that’s why you’re here.

But what you don’t know is this, Celesta has a kickass personality. A wicked sense of humor and infectious smile. Not only this, but the girl has to be some closet race car driver. I mean, how couldn’t she when she’s rolling in an Audi R8. Maybe that’s why I liked this girl so much, perhaps I’m a bit biased with my prior driving background. Well, that’s ok, and I’m ok with that.

Comment below, let me know what you think.

Photographer: Jay Marroquin | Hair & Makeup: Amber Rose | Model: Celesta Hodge from Elite Model Management

May 29, 2015

Oly is 5’7″ and with Elite Model Management

One of the most frequent questions I get is “I’m not tall, can I still sign with an agency?”. Most of the time this question comes while having coffee with a potential model or talking to a girls parents. If there’s one thing people know about me, is that I can be pretty direct and honest at times. I guess this is what I love about working in NY. I’d rather someone tell me directly that my photography isn’t to their liking, or it sucks than be afraid to say that and lie giving me some kind of hope.

I think that works the same way with people trying to enter the fashion industry or become a model, male or female. If we’re having coffee and you’re less than 5’8″ in height, I’m probably going to tell you to forget about be a runway or high fashion model but focus on beauty, commercial or lifestyle work. Most agencies are probably going to push you to their acting division. I”ll get the “but Kate Moss is 5’7″ and made it” comment and I’ll reply, Kate is 1 in a million, err, actually make that 1 in 7 billion. But if I had listed to people telling me I couldn’t race cars professionally or be a runway photographer in Paris, I’d never be here writing this blog post.

So here’s some advice for girls wanting to be models. This post is directed to more of my female audience since I work with female talent quite a bit. You really have to know your market. Being a 5’7″ girl in Houston or Dallas is WAY different than being a 5’7″ girl in NYC. That’s just a plain fact. Girls rocking the runway in NY are now usually 5’10 1/2″ to 6’2″. Girls in Miami or LA are going to have more of a swim/lingerie figure. Also, be honest with yourself and be realistic. Look at what’s happening in the industry and see if you either fit a current mold or have a look that will break the mold. And never give up on your dreams, but do work hard to make them reality.

So how did we get on this topic? Well because of Oly. You see, Oly who is 5’7″ recently signed with Elite in LA. Elite Model Management is easily one of the top 3 agencies in the world. While recently in LA I reached out to Elite having worked the Elite Milan a few times. Serena, who is absolutely a joy to work with and a booker there, was kind enough to send me a package of around 10 beautiful girls. This is what I like about a top agency. Right off the bat I knew I was going to choose 2-3 girls to photograph. Immediately Oly’s port caught my eye. The girl is stunning and has a gaze to die for. I then looked at her measurements and noticed she was 5’7″. But that didn’t matter, why? Because the girl can model and knocks out the gazes and poses to die for. She naturally has it, that “it” factor that you can’t measure. All I have to say is kudos to the scout or new talent director that decided to sign her.

Comment below, let me know what you think.

Photographer: Jay Marroquin | Hair & Makeup: Amber Rose | Model: Oly from Elite Model Management