Sheree Austin – Full Time Model
Sheree is a full time model. you can see more about her on her Facebook page
Q) How long have you been in the industry?
A) A year and a half
Q) What is your biggest achievement to date?
A) My first paid shoot, it felt like I’d finally done it.
Q) why did you enter the business?
A) To prove to myself that I am good enough to do it.
Q) Have you ever been affected by any scams? If so, what were they?
A) Yes. An “agency” put out a casting call on the Model Mayhem casting system. I contacted them about the shoot, and they askd me to attend a casting in London. The first sign that it wasn’t quite right was that he didn’t have an office number, and wanted to meet in a coffee place. For an agency rep this didn’t seem right. I later got a phone call asking if I could get to Brighton instead. I looked up the “agency” and came up with lots of results about scams.
There have also been some emails offering ridiculous deals, which immediately seems wrong.
Q) Have you ever come across an “unsavoury” agent/photographer or other industry “professional”? If so what happened?
A) Photographers. Not all of them, but there have been a few who have tried to “push levels”, and change locations at the last minte from outside to a hotel room. Which if its booked in a hotel is fine, but not when its suddenly changed without warning, it seems wrong. I have also had a photographer trying to get me to do poses ect I wasn’t comfortable with.
Q) How did you overcome issues with scams and dodgy photographers?
A) politely told the photographers that I would not change my levels, and if they did not like this, they didn’t have to work with me. The scams I just simply ignore.
Q) How has it affected you?
A) I check up agencies before replying, but other than that I don’t allow it to bother me, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to put myself out there for work.
Q) Would you change anything about your experiences so far in the industry?
A) No, they have made me wary of the things that could happen, so I look out for them.
Q) What advice would you give to aspiring models to ensure they remain safe at all times?
A) If you don’t feel comfortable talking to a photographer, you wont feel comfortable on the shoot. Don’t let youself get into any situation where you will feel uncomfortable.
Q) What would be your best tip to help models when they are on a photoshoot?
A) Even if your not feeling confident, fake it, and it will soon become real.
Q) Anything else you would like to add which may help models avoid scams, unsafe situations or how to succeed in the industry?
A) Just check up on everything. Check up on references and look into agencies, google their name, and something will come up if its a known scam.
Q) Have you felt pressure to look a certain way? if so, how did it make you feel and did you conform?
A) One photographer criticised me for changing my hair colour from blonde to red. But I wouldn’t change how I look, I’m happy with it, so if I’m not what the photographers looking for they don’t have to shoot with me.
Q) Have you ever struggled with weight? If so how did you overcome that?
A) No
Q) Do you have part of your body that you are not so fond of? If so, what tricks do you use to hide the body party or distract away from it?
A) Not really. I’m quite lucky
Sheree’s full profile and images can be found at