Infinite Talent Modeling agency scam, ripoff Costa Mesa California

I saw infinite talent on the web. They were claiming to accept models of all ages, shapes and sizes. I got a response from them asking me to come in for an interview. I went in and was asked to return for a second interview with an "executive". I was told that they would take photos of me and evaluate me. If they thought I had a chance in the industry we would proceed. So I went back, had my photos taken. Rachel left the room for about a half an hour and returned with "GOOD NEWS"! She said the executives liked my photos and they thought I had a chance in the market. Then she told me that I would need a "book" to get started and they could lead me in the right direction. I had been warned about giving anyone money, but after I saw the portfolio of the photgrapher that they used I was totally impressed. They said I needed these HIGH FASHION photos to get started. I had done some research on photographers and the $695.00 they were asking for was a bit high, but they included a makeup artist, so I wasnt too shocked. I told Rachel that this is a lot of money for me and I need a guarantee that it would be worth my money. She put her hand on mine, looked me in the eye and said that she PROMISED I would be very happy. So I agreed.

I was promised a very professional shoot, makeup artist and somewhere near 150 photos on a disk. When I went to the shoot, I was horrified. It was in what they called a vingage house (more like a house on its last leg). I was rushed through. The makeup artist was very rude, slapped on some makeup and said "thats the best i can do FOR YOU" making me feel like I was ugly and she couldnt do anything for me. The photographer put me in these strange positions and snapped off a million photos. We did 4 changes and I was sent on my way. I left feeling horrible. When I contactd Infinite talent about the shoot they had every excuse in the book. "You are new to the business, dont worry they are professionals, it will be fine." More than 1 month later I received the disk of photos. (I was promised the photos in less than 2 weeks, when this did not happen they had every excuse in the book for that too) I wish I could show the pictures on this site. They were horrible. They were out of focus, the lighting was WAY OFF!!!! and it was basically 25 photos of the same pose for each look. Photoshop could not save these photos. I complained to Camille and eventually she got around to giving me another shoot. There, it was a bit better of an experience since it was in an actual studio, but again, I had no say in what I wore, or my makeup or hair. I was rushed through the shoot and my pictures again were horrible. I went on many castings with these photos and was laughed at and told I had better get some professional photos for my book before I go on any more castings. When I brought this to the attention of HEATHER, CAMILLE, and RACHEL I was told to call them and work it out. They have said that I just dont know the industry so I dont know what is good and what is not. They will not give me my money back, they will not give me a photoshoot with the photgrapher of my choice. All they do is tell me I can reshoot with the same photographer.

In a nutshell I have learned a huge lesson, this is a SCAM. They keep the money or pay very little to the photographer. They bait you in, make you feel pretty, or special, use lies to bait you into paying and then you are dropped, like trash. They dont email because they know it is documented proof of what they say. They lie on the phone. They say they call, but do not. They are a bunch of scam artists.

I am seeking a lawyer to get my money back. I have posted complaints with The Better Business Bureau, here and I am putting an ad on craigslist as well as the local paper. I just dont want this happening to anyone else.

Virginia
carlsbad, California
U.S.A.