I have to say that my daughter LOVES modeling and thanks to Nathan she has been VERY successful. Not only did he take her pictures, but as a member of the community, she was discovered and signed by an agency and I did not have to do much. Nathan offered sound advice that comes from YEARS of experience. That kind of assistance and experience is worth more than $25.00 in my opinion.

I think it is fine if someone does not want to join, no one is forced to do anything, however, there are those of us who understand that there is value in having someone who has been in this industry for so long and I for one am willing to pay for it.

I think we should be very careful of judging someone for placing value on their hard work or expertise.

You can go on the site and check it out for free, but if you want unlimited access you must be a member and that is how many websites operate.

Thanks Nathan!

bigmama,
You raise very valid points. There is nothing wrong with paying for information. It's almost like paying a consultant. Nothing wrong with that...heck, I sometimes feel like I should be getting paid for all the info I give to people who email me privately. At best, answering everyone consumes way too much of my time, at worst, I am helping people who will eventually be competing against my OWN child. There is definately value in info that I and many others often provide and so I do understand Nathans desire to get paid and write a book. Again...nothing wrong there. I think the issue is with the "scouting" thing, the modeling contest and the way he tied things in to that website. There is no such job description as "scout" in this industry and no other photographer I know claims to be able to get kids representation. Believe me, if he is getting a kid signed with a print agency, it's a kid who would have likely had no problem getting signed on their own by just submitting.

What a coincidence! bigmama registers TODAY and her first post supports Nathan because he helped her kid get discovered. All she had to do was directly submit to Product or Ford or whoever. Nathan has no magic formula that unlocks the door.

This same thing has been happening all over the internet since this controversy broke out earlier this week. New people have suddently been joining boards just to promote the book, and then, when people question the scouting aspect of Nathan's business model, other new members join to defend the guy. It's happening here. And it's happenening on PARF. These are called shills.*

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shill

He's a good photographer. But he's selling himself as a "scout," and that means he's trying to sell parents something they just don't need to be successful in this business.

Don't be desperate. Educate yourself. Be suspicious of new posters who come here just to praise him. Be aware that someone could be adopting fake identities to make it appear he is a successful scout.

Whatever information he has is available for free from many other sources. There are many, many excellent, successful photographers who have the same knowledge, contacts, and experience he has, but who NEVER charge parents a fee for that advice. They would NEVER become "scouts" and associate themselves with scouting conventions.

And funny how Nathan hasn't been back since yesterday.... hmmmm....

I wonder if he's read any of the other industry boards and has seen what industry professionals are saying about all this....


=============================================

Another question I have ---- and I'm sure this will either go unanswered or answered untruthfully ----- Was there any charge to join this "cover model contest"?

Somehow, I think I already know the answer.....

I am shocked that anyone would use the word scam in connection with Nathan`s name.To begin with, he is an AMAZING photographer.His headshots are unreal!!!!Second, why would you have an issue with him charging 25$ to join his site? Not only do you get all the benefits the site has to offer, you get a manual about children models. In fact,It is the bargain of the century.It is because of Nathan and his website that BOTH my children were signed to the top modeling agency in New York.After registering on his site, I saw that there was an open call posted, I submitted my kids and they were signed on the spot.I was thrilled to be able to run everything by Nathan before making such a huge committment for my kids,.He was there every step of the way.We do live in the United States, which is a capitalist nation.Therefore a successful business is supposed to generate money.Why would you begrudge Nathan 25$ which I am sure barely covers his costs to run such a fantastic resource of information? It seems to me that you would happily take all his free advice, free postings, and free assistance...I guess you also feel that his time is not worth any money either...He has over 20 years of experience to sell...DO YOU? I feel that it is best to refrain from making uneducated statements on the internet, they can be damaging although they are un true.As such, I would like to HIGHLY recommend Nathan, his photography and most definitely his website.If not for THE Model Child, my kids would not be where they are today,...Stop looking for the easy way, and the free way,,,,invest in your kids success!!!!

bethrosenthal@aol.com. I have almost 25 years of experience in this biz. My kids have been in the biz for one year. Everyone on this board knows I NEVER talk about my kids personal experiences, auditions or jobs. For the purposes of this discussion, I will share a few things. I knew nothing about the biz before November of last year. At that time, I started educating myself...reading all the boards, all of the books, all of the columns recommended in the "getting started" thread. Cost...FREE. My kids school pix were submitted to agencies by a friend. COST...FREE. Agencies called us in and we were signed. COST...FREE. I did not not pay money to anyone...I did make the investment in some books which I purchased used on AMAzON. I still refer to those books frequently. We did not need to "invest in their success" by entering modeling contests or paying for info on a website. I've never paid a penny for photos of my 5 yr old twins, yet they work. Everything I did was easy and free. I readily share my experience in the industry as well as my kids' experience in the biz for FREE. Like actorsmommy, I am inundated with PMs asking for advice and guidance. All of my statements are educated and based on MANY years of experience in the biz. And all of my statements are true. My perspective is that those who choose NY's site, hoping to "invest in their kids success" are looking for the easy way. And by the way, can you please tell me what measure are you using for "success?"

Oh, and one more thing...you can find out about open calls by contacting the agencies directly...no need to pay for the website to get that info. Agencies give that info out for free.

This post and these comments are not directed at you, NY, they are directed at the misconstrued comments of the specific poster referenced here.

Sorry everyone...I had to vent!!!

quote:

Originally posted by DianeNYC:

Another question I have ---- and I'm sure this will either go unanswered or answered untruthfully ----- Was there any charge to join this "cover model contest"?

Somehow, I think I already know the answer.....

No, there was no charge.......

I think a lot of the thoughts expressed by the experienced parents here come from the fact that Nathan is advertising himself as a scout AND a photographer. Many agency scams begin with the "agent" insisting that kids use their photographer for pix that they don't need. No one is questioning his skill as a photographer. It is the combination that is disturbing. If he advertises himself as the expert at getting kids placed in agencies and then turns around and offers to photograph them (many parents will insist he shoot their kids, hoping to get an edge. I imagine many called him after reading these posts thinking he will help them) it borders on a conflict of interest. I do not believe anyone is dissing his skill or his personality, just his judgement in entering this business venture while still working as a photographer.

Yet another brand new person comes on TODAY to shill that we are the uneducated ones and she knows better and, by the way, we should all "Stop looking for the easy way, and the free way . . . invest in your kids success."

Nathan scouted you though is website and you bit. Who's the uneducated one here?

not blond...you've said what I'm feeling. It appears to be a conflict of interest. People will seek him out because they are under the impression he will give them an "in" at the agencies. It's actually not unusual for a photog to refer a truly exceptional kid, but they don't advertise that they would do that and people aren't led to believe that will happen. The apparent conflict of interest, the setting up of expectations...these practices raise red flags among industry veterans. As you said, nobody is questioning his skills or personality.

I just signed up on this board and I have read some of the garbage on this thread. I keep reading where this Diane person states Nathan is "forcing" people to buy his book. Diane, when did you buy the book? You keep stating that Nathan is forcing people, as in YOU, to buy the book. You go on and on about how you disagree with this implemented fee on his website. If people do not want the book they don't have to buy the book including you! I have been registered on his site for months and months and I have learned much being in his community. I still bought the book because Nathan is full of valuable information and I am sure his book will be just as informative. It is all about educating yourself and protecting your child and gaining insight from someone who has experience in the industry.

Where you think buying the book will not serve any purpose to some, I beg to differ as well as many others. Nathan has a very large community and we all respect and trust each other. We are all very supportive of each other also and that is a great tool to network with others. You think that knowing Nathan and listening to him is a waist of time because you feel he is a scammer. I find that statement rude and defamatory and you should be ashamed! Also, let's see how far you get telling that nonsense to my two children that shot with him in February and have been signed with one of the top NYC agencies that I could not get my kids in the door years before on my own. Nathan helped make this happen for my children and I can not thank him enough. Nathan is the kindest soul you will ever meet and his patience with children is so genuine. His photography vision is amazing and his assistant is awesome and knows style with eyes closed. If you are not interested in shooting your child with Nathan, then you have no right commenting on anything to do with Nathan. But I feel there is more to this story….

In my opinion, if you would take the time to listen to someone like Nathan and swallow the bitters, you may find that there are people out there like Nathan that would fight circles saws with one arm tied behind their back to help you! I am sorry, but I am going to do a little assuming of my own now. I feel you are angry and bitter because maybe your child did not make the top twenty. Before you come back at me assuming mine did, I did not even enter my two children in the contest. They are where they need to be with one of the most fantastic agencies in NYC and like I said before, I have Nathan to thank for helping make that happen! I will also add that I am proud that Nathan is my children’s’ photographer and honored to have him as a dear friend. So while you are on the boards posting all your negative assumptions, there are many positive parents out there shuttling their children to jobs to help enhance their future if they so chose to stick with it. At this point, I would pay your husband $24.95 to turn your internet off.

Stephanie
Proud mom to Bella and Jake

http://www.myspace.com/2007nammdprincessmom

http://www.myspace.com/cheeseybacon1

I think we should just close this thread as they did on the PARF board.

Whoa there sweetie...you still don't get it. No one is defaming nathan. This is the last time I will post on this thread because of the crazy personal remarks against people who are merely cautioning folks of the historic problems involing model scouts and photographers. No matter what you think, it cheapens Nathan's reputation and i am someone who adores his work.

Lastly, apparently he did not warn you about the dangers of posting pictures of minor's on public websites that give personal information. You go right ahead and exploit your kids...ooh, maybe someday they'll be famous.

quote:

Originally posted by not blond:
Lastly, apparently he did not warn you about the dangers of posting pictures of minor's on public websites that give personal information. You go right ahead and exploit your kids...ooh, maybe someday they'll be famous.

No, she (and the others) don't get it.... Just the fact that she has a My Space page set up for both her kids says a lot about her. It also speaks volumes about her knowledge of the business. Maybe someone will see their pages and "discover" them and make them the next big child star! Or maybe child super models!

I can't be bothered with these people anymore. Let them Shill for Nathan Yungerberg... let them keep paying for information you can get elsewhere for free (including right here on these boards), let them enter "contests" so their kid can work for free to promote someone's book, let them continue posting their kids' pics on the internet for all to see and do with what they choose.

Hopefully, one day they'll wake up and smell the mocha latte and get a clue.