Caryn Models is not a legitimate agency

Mostly making this post so it shows up in search results, but Caryn Models (located in the Minneapolis Minnesota market) is not a legitimate agency. They delete negative reviews off of Google so you really can't find anything except for one bad yelp review, but they charge you—

140$ yearly website fee

200-something$ for a photographer to get your portfolio started (the photos are fine, but the MUA on set is one of the agents daughters and you'll have a big bronze streak on your forehead. Caryns doesn't expect the headshot to be very good)

700-900$ (it changes based on how much they think you'll pay, allegedly) for classes

If you attend EMS (European model showcase) or NYMS (New York model showcase) which they tell you you absolutely should do, even if you're not a good candidate, you'll pay between 900-4500$, excluding your own travel fees

An extra 700$ for a portfolio shoot they require you take prior to EMS.

These are all required fees, excluding EMS. Caryns has a reputation for accepting almost everyone who comes in even if they look incredibly basic, as long as you mostly fit measurements they'll take your money. The majority of the girls who they take will never get a single job. Any models who actually have potential leave their contracts asap and sign with somebody else, because their reputation for incredibly bad management is TRUE. They will screw up your contract communication with other agents, mess up what location you have to go to for a job, and not give you notice if you're needed for a different designer or time. They do not actually manage you. If you're not someone who's paying that year then they don't talk to you, like, ever.

Every single girl who works for Caryns dislikes them. They don't safeguard you if you get into trouble in a different country the way they're supposed to. They do not communicate with your other agents. You getting contracts with other agencies is just a way for them to try and persuade other agencies to come to their showcases. By the way— those showcases are useless to you, and you won't get anything because your agent straight up won't fight for you, will mess up on who gave you the callback, won't add callbacks to your list, and etcetera etcetera etcetera.

Yes, Caryns sends out real jobs. No, you probably won't get one, just percentage wise. This might seem like an incredibly bitter post, but it's really not, I am just so incredibly sad for the girls who are constantly getting tricked into this agency. They will put you into Runway classes even though there's maybe four shows that actually pay during the year. Tldr; this agency really isn't the best, try any other agency in MN besides like, privileged model management (also scammy)