If you’ve searched “Studio 1” online, you’ve probably seen the Reddit posts and the dramatic
headlines:
“SCAM.”
“Photo mill.”
“They promised jobs.”
“They sent me to collections.”
So… what’s the truth?
A lot of the negativity comes from confusion about what Studio 1 actually is, plus people
signing up for things they didn’t fully understand in the moment. Let’s break it down.
First things first: Studio 1 is not a modeling agency.
Studio 1 is a portfolio photography studio. We create professional images for aspiring models
and actors.
We do not:
● sign talent
● guarantee jobs
● promise income
● pay anyone “$250 a day”
If you’ve seen that claim floating around, it’s not something Studio 1 promises or advertises as
“we will pay you.” What we offer is photography and portfolio support – that’s it.
Why are people calling it a scam then?
Most complaints fall into a few buckets:
1) “I thought it was cheap… then it got expensive.”
This is the big one. Someone expects a small shoot and then sees package options that cost
more than they expected.
The truth is: we have multiple package levels. Some are small and affordable, some are more
complete and cost more because they include more images and add-ons.
If you only want a few photos, stick with that. A bigger package can be helpful, but it’s not
required.
2) “They pressured me into buying a bigger package.”
Some people say they felt rushed or overwhelmed during the sales part.
Here’s the bottom line: you should never sign anything you don’t understand – especially
financing. If you don’t feel 100% comfortable, stop and ask questions, or don’t move forward.
3) “They sent people to debt collection.”
This part gets repeated a lot online, and it freaks people out – but it usually comes down to one
thing:
If someone chooses financing, signs an agreement, and then stops paying, that can turn into
collections. That isn’t unique to Studio 1 – that’s how financing works everywhere.
So no, people aren’t getting “randomly sent to collections for no reason.” It’s almost always tied
to a signed payment agreement.
“The photos look like JCPenney.”
This is totally subjective – and honestly, it usually means someone expected a different style.
Some people want super glam editorial. Others need clean, simple digitals. If someone walks in
expecting one thing and gets another, they’ll call it a “photo mill.”
The smart move is to look at a studio’s portfolio examples first and ask what style your shoot
will be.
So is Studio 1 a scam?
No – it’s a real studio that provides portfolio photography services, and we’ve had many clients
walk away happy and go on to build legit modeling and acting opportunities.
But we also get why people feel confused when they think they’re signing up for one thing and
then later realize they agreed to something bigger.
Our honest advice (even if you’re not booking with us)
If you’re new to modeling or acting, here’s the safest way to approach any portfolio studio:
● Know your budget before you walk in
● Don’t finance anything you can’t comfortably afford
● Ask for pricing and package options upfront
● Don’t sign contracts unless you fully understand the terms
● Start small if you’re unsure – you can always upgrade later
At the end of the day, a portfolio should help you feel confident – not stressed.
If you have questions, want to understand pricing clearly, or want help choosing the right
package for your goals and budget, reach out. We’re happy to explain everything upfront so
there are no surprises.