Information provided by various external sources
Max Agency is a Toronto based talent agency which provides actors and models to both the television and film industry. MAX Agency scouts and develops models and actors, securing them engagements with a wide spectrum of entertainment, fashion and advert…
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Name of client: Geovanni Ramírez Flores
From hope to mistrust — pressured into paying for photos instead of building a career
I ended up here through an Instagram ad. After submitting my application, a friendly woman called to book an in-person appointment. During that call, I was invited to check their Instagram profile, which looked legitimate.
A week later, I went to the appointment and met with an older lady who introduced herself as my rep. We chatted for about 30 minutes, and I left hopeful — she said they’d review my profile and, if there were no more than two other people with my characteristics, I’d be contacted. Already in that meeting, they asked about my ability to pay for professional pictures and mentioned the costs, telling me the pictures would always be mine.
• Option A: $1,000 + tax with wardrobe, makeup, and printed materials.
• Option B: $600 + tax, bring my own clothes, fewer prints.
I leaned toward Option B, but was told the decision depended on whether I was “chosen.” I thought I might borrow money if selected.
The next day I received a contract and information about the exact prices and studio name, plus pressure to pick a date for the session. I agreed tentatively and asked for a few days to gather the $600 + tax. When I Googled the studio, I couldn’t find it on Maps — only an Instagram and Facebook page. That made me uneasy, but I convinced myself it was legit. Later I discovered the studio was actually a rental photo studio anyone could book, not an exclusive agency partnership.
I was told Toronto was the “hot spot” because of Netflix and that opportunities were everywhere, which pushed me to act fast. Still, when I emailed to delay, my rep suddenly offered a third package: $300 + tax for just headshots, no prints, 50 photos. Why wasn’t that option presented from the start?
While I was writing the e-transfer for the cheapest package, my gut told me to research again. I confirmed the studio was a rental space anyone could book and saw how the pressure tactics worked — the goal was to secure money quickly.
Finally, I asked around in the industry. Everyone I spoke to said legit agencies never charge talent upfront. And when I looked for media presence of the “big names” they claimed to represent, there was almost nothing.
At that point all alarms went off. I realized the entire setup relies on selling overpriced photo packages, not developing talent.
👉 My advice: Don’t give your money to this business. Invest in your rent, your education, your dreams — but not in a system that plays on hopes and pressures people with sliding fees and urgency tactics.
Name of client: Mr. M
NIKA MALLARD IS THICK-SKULLED!
Everyone stay away from these sleezeballs!
Their customer service representative schedules an evaluation interview in Toronto for me.
Then, after sending numerous polite emails to Nika Mallard, she rejects my evaluation interview without telling me the actual reason.
Additionally, if you’re too distant from an agency, normally they schedule a Zoom interview, instead she wanted me in person 12 hours and a half away.
Be careful with these so-called Toronto agencies.
They’re all a bunch of thick-skulled, brainless, heartless, and careless scammers.
Name of client: Jay
It is a scam
It is a scam. All negative reviews on Google Maps are true.
They don’t charge any entrance fees and even offer acting and casting training, all of which is paid for by the agency, which seemed like a huge plus. However, it turned out they planned to take money in another way offering you only their photographers – expensive and even more expensive ($600 and $1000 + taxes, respectively).
There are numerous reviews stating that they rarely call you for castings or auditions, and communication becomes very poor after they’ve taken your money.
Name of client: ELAINE
HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE
HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE! SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO THE REVIEWS. COMP CARDS ARENT EVEN ACCPETED BY CASTING AGENTS BUT YET ARE MANDATORY, AS A CASH GRAB. SAYS YOU CAN USE YOUR OWN PHOTOGRAPHERS BUT THATS A LIE BECAUSE THEY WONT ACCEPT THE PHOTOS, THEY FORCE YOU TO USE THIER FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHERS. RUDE STAFF, VERY UNPROFESSIONAL. DO NOT BRING YOUR KIDS HERE
Name of client: Anonymous
a scam and a lie
OMG this is such a scam and a lie. I don’t know how they are still in business but they are. Do not under any circumstances open your wallet on or near their “agency.” I warned you.
(*) All reviews above are from Trustpilot
Our assessment after analyzing reviews
Below are the analyze and conclusion of us about above reviews
Review 1 (Geovanni Ramírez Flores): This review details a concerning experience with Max Agency. The reviewer describes being lured in by an Instagram ad and then subjected to pressure tactics during an in-person appointment. The agency allegedly pushed expensive photography packages and created a sense of urgency to secure payment. The reviewer’s unease grew when they discovered the photo studio was a publicly available rental space, contradicting the agency’s claims of exclusivity. Ultimately, the reviewer consulted industry professionals who confirmed that legitimate agencies typically don’t charge upfront fees. The reviewer concluded that the agency’s primary goal was to sell overpriced photo packages rather than develop talent. The red flags raised in this review, such as pressure tactics, hidden fees, and questionable studio partnerships, strongly suggest potential deceptive practices.
Review 2 (Mr. M): This is a very short and emotionally charged review. The reviewer expresses strong dissatisfaction with the agency’s customer service, specifically mentioning a representative named Nika Mallard. The complaint centers around the rejection of an evaluation interview without a clear reason. The reviewer also criticizes the agency’s preference for in-person interviews despite the reviewer’s distance from Toronto. The review uses harsh language, labeling the agency as “scammers.” While the strong language might indicate exaggeration, the core complaint of poor communication and a lack of transparency is concerning.
Review 3 (Jay): This review reinforces the scam allegations. The reviewer confirms the experiences described in negative Google Maps reviews. They highlight the initial appeal of free training and no entrance fees but point out that the agency recovers its costs by forcing talent to use their expensive photographers. The reviewer also mentions the common complaint of limited casting opportunities and poor communication after payment. This review strengthens the concerns about the agency’s business model and its focus on profiting from photography packages rather than providing genuine representation.
Review 4 (ELAINE): This review is extremely negative, emphasizing a “horrible experience.” The reviewer claims that the agency forces talent to purchase comp cards (composite cards) from their “family photographers,” even though these cards are not accepted by casting agents. This aligns with the pattern of prioritizing photography sales over genuine representation. The reviewer also mentions rude and unprofessional staff. The strong negative sentiment and specific accusations of mandatory, useless expenses further damage the agency’s reputation.
Review 5 (Anonymous): This review is short but direct, unequivocally labeling Max Agency as a “scam and a lie.” The reviewer urges others to avoid the agency at all costs. While lacking in specifics, its conciseness and strong warning contribute to the overall negative perception.
www.maxagency.com likely scam
Note: The above statement is just my personal opinion, you should check carefully at the sources and make the right decision for yourself.