The Blue Rooms Photographic Studios
Reviews and Complaints

I had someone called Soraya from Models Kit contact me today (31/05/2022) saying my daughter and listed her full name and my name, address & email address and that she was very photogenic and they were interested in offering her a shoot. I asked where she got our information and she said you filled out an online application. To which I said I havent and please delete our info she started talking again about Models kit and the application. But when I got very abrupt asking her to take mine and my childs information off their system as I have NEVER filled out an application for modelling she quickly ended the call.

Hi signed up my 4 years old to do modelling via your Facebook link. A lady from your office call lrine phone me 3 days later to tell me my tittle one was successful, she told me my tittle one was geogious and got great modelling potentials.

She asked me if you want a modelling Carrier for her you need to pay £50 refundable registration fee in which l said yes. After l made payment l had an email from a gentleman name Luke inviting me to come to Manchester for a photoshoot. The photoshoot was supposed to be 2 hours but it only lasted less than 30 minutes. After the photoshoot the took me into their office and another lady was explaining the different packages and services the provide, she told me l need 20 photos, a portfolio, efolio and Z card and said to me that it is the industry requirement must have and the totally cost was £2500. I was shocked as l have been told from the beginning that l need 10 photos but now the saying l need 20 photos and insist it is the requirement of modelling industry. I told her l will go home and think about it as l don't have such an amount. She told me l can make part payment

today and set up a direct debit monthly to clear the amount before l can have access to the pictures. So l made payment of £400 and while she was still talking to me, she handed a paper to me to put my initials and sign. Ì

I looked on the paper and it got the amount l paid, the amount l agreed to be paying every month so l sign it. However when l left the office within 15 minutes l phone them asking to cancel my order. l find the dishonest and was told the cannot cancel my order as l have signed a legal contract and the operate a non cancellation policy.

I have sent several emails and phone calls to no vain. l had a look at the cancellation policy and it says once the client has left the premises with the copyright images, the studios is unable to issue a refund but in my case l have not receive any images whatsoever and need my refund. I will not continued with a dishonest company who lies to vulnerable customers and ripped them off.

Much like other reviewers, I have had a very negative experience here with KATIE.

I had this shoot arranged by modelkit at The Blue Rooms for my portfolio with makeup and hair included, it was my first time modelling and they believe I have potential and this was my introduction. I was ecstatic. Luke told me a £50 deposit would be required upfront which I paid just to ensure I wasn’t wasting anyone’s time, that it was recommended I buy at least one picture but I didn’t have to and that the pictures would be priced £50 and DOWNWARDS of that PER PICTURE for each one I CHOSE to buy.

I did the shoot and had a great time, makeup team and photographer were very professional and helped guide me in taking photos as I had never done anything like this before.

When it came to review the photos I met Katie, who initially was very polite and professional. Then I was told that it was recommended I take the bronze package for my portfolio.. which is £500. Not expecting to have to be paying anything at all I was very shocked, but I’d had so much fun on the day I said I’d need to think about it as Katie explained it was an investment. I am new to modelling and have no idea for how much these things cost so I just wanted some time to do some research.. upon hearing I needed some time to consider spending £500 Katie’s attitude immediately switched into some sort of budget ‘mean girls’ performance where she tells me I was told I’d need to spend £500 today or my photos are all deleted and it will be marked I don’t want to pursue modelling further. Katie tells me I was informed on the phone of this, which I absolutely was not.

Stunned by the switch I just said to mark me as not interested then because there was absolutely no way I was being pushed into spending £500 with no notice or research as to what I was buying, especially to someone who was being so unbelievably rude. Katie then proceeds to ask me rather condescendingly how much I expected airbrushed photography like this to cost which is when I told her I was told pictures would be £50 and DOWNWARDS based on how many I bought, Katie then found it appropriate to cut me off and tell me that 50 x 10 = 500.

Yes, thank you Katie, but I’m well aware of simple maths. I recommend you brush up on your listening skills because 50 and DOWNWARDS, e.g. 1st would be £50, the 2nd would be £40 and so on. Which doesn’t equal £500. I wasn’t even told I’d need to buy 10 which I was told on the day was the minimum, I was actually only planning on buying one for myself as a memento.

Upon leaving Katie makes me sign a document which says I’m not interested in modelling (lol) and says to me “well, good luck in your… job” because I told her I work full time.

Oh yeah, and I still haven’t received my deposit back that was taken to ensure I didn’t no show and “waste their time”.. they wasted hours of MY time on a Saturday parading around as a modelling agency and providing absolutely horrendous customer service.

Read it with attention. We are talking about child, and I will take this further complaint. And I will use all social media to share my review.
I am a genuine client that fallen for lies like many others genuine parents. The positive reviews this company receive I do NOT believe its a genuine review at all!
On their website advise about looking for models is just a wrong idea of they are modelling experts in fact
THEY ARE SCAMMERS looking for money and putting you in a difficult position in front of your child and I would say it is a Children cruelty, gives you child a BAD experience with false promises on their first time trying to be a model.
When you arrive at the place, there are many others families and NONE of them as staffs and others groups wear mask. I have a video as evidence to prove it.

First on their website / email which I have prints says its free but if you want to buy its about £50 each picture but has a minimum order, so we should be prepared for about £450 approximately.
When you are done with pictures, you need to go inside one small room with your child, when all bad news starts.
They are Not modelling experts and the packages minimum is £1599 (not mentioned on email evidence can be provided) the second for you have others details or the access that you believe will put your child on the right way is a completely illusion, to have access to all list of modelling you can find on google, eFolio and etc... You need to bu second option which is £2, 599!
So you are also expecting a great photoshoot and great quality services, but it's NOT the reality. One/two of the pictures was showing half of my 12 years old daughter boobs which the dress was going down, but even so the photographer still taken her picture which also has been sent to London studio. No attention to detail with any professional would take even taking in consideration she is a child. No mentioning while I was on waiting room, some crazy men outside though I have report their car wasn't taxed, because they were clamped Which I had NO clue. I need to call the police to make sure when I need to leave the place in the I was safe with my daughter.
About the child cruelty I mentioned above, its because we go there with a false promise and their tactic to sell their business putting pressure having parents and the child in this small room, in that way put us parents as bad, because after long distance travelling, preparing clothes and all emotional, your child will listen that they wouldn't have anything unless their parents have to pay £2599 with "discount" for the situation I suffered in the reception room, they came down to £2, 000! We know our kids will grow to learn to receive No, but not in this situation which is delicate, which we were prepared to buy the pictures as mentioned on their email to us. So we end up in a small room with our child feeling awful, disappointed, crying and believe WE parents doesn't want to invest in them, but when we do NOT have experience in this area, we will believe its the real price, We will fall for this kind of people that will do everything to make you believe they are great, we will end not having to eat to save and invest in your child future. But in this case, its all about your money!
After make a complaints I received a call a week later offering us a second option to retaken all pictures. I thought ok, let's given them a chance. But IT WAS A BIG MISTAKE! Wait, not a BIG mistake, but a HUGE one.
I felt bullied buy people when my daughter and I arrived, the team with NOT happy face came to ask us why we returned, insisting for explanation with NO discretion and it was a completely embarrassing situation I NEVER EVER want to put my daughter through. She wasn't treated nice by the person did her hair, didn't accepted what we asked Not to do in her hair with much sprays, even so we PAID £2, 000! I tried to make them compliments from the time we arrived even so it was ONLY to break the BAD atmosphere they made us to feel, trying to create a positive feelings between us. My daughter wanted to cry in the change room, but she did her best, and something that should be nice and relaxing turn out a stressful situation I would advice ANY parents to let their kids to have. eFolio we received its terrible and cheap quality.
As a mother who been suffering bad injures from a car crash over few months, not able to work and tried to do the best for my daughter, I will tell you it was the worse experience we had and I hope any parents that have the time to ready this email have.
They will break your finance, and you believing you are doing a good investment, but you will find many others companies there that will charge you £300 with eFolio and also they will contact agencies that will be interested in your kid modelling or casting. Where is ZERO STAR
I will remove my review if they contact me to talk or change this situation.

To whom it may concern

I visited your studios in December and received your studio services, I signed up to a contract & to my knowledge this contract was in a agreement of taking £50 per month, the first payment came out of my account a month later in January but it was not for £50 it was £150 I called your department and you'd agreed that this was your error and you refunded the money, I asked to speak to a manager numerous amount of times but no body replied, I no longer want this service and tried to cancel, I have had a letter today stating that there will be legal proceedings & have consulted with a solicitor which advised me that it was your services that breached the contract first so if you would like to take matters further then please contact me, the contract stated that I will be paying £50 per month but you took £150 which was 3 months worth in advance which left me in financial difficulties with my bank as I budgeted for £50 per month with your services, I am writing this and will be keeping a copy for my records

Many thanks
Charlene

This is my second time I use the complaints board regarding the Blue Room.

I have made a complaint to the Blue Rooms about a portfolio they mis-sold and misleading information given.

We are suppose to be in the process of resolving this matter, but the Blue Rooms have now again, for the second time, stopped all communication.

I sent in my second letter of complaint dated 10th October. I received an e-mail from "The Blue Rooms" acknowledging they received the complaint and said they will try respond in 5 days. It has now been close to 4 weeks. I have sent several e-mails asking for a response, even if they just e-mail saying their response will take a bit longer. Nothing. This is not how a company should deal with a complaint, ignore it.

Blue Rooms, please respond to my letter of complaint, dating 10th October 2019.

I made a formal complaint via e-mail (as was suggested by a manager for the blue rooms) on 2nd september. Since then I have e-mailed him 5 times, phoned him and left messages (4 times) and no response. I originally received a confirmation that you received my complaint on the 9th september and that you will respond in 3 days. That was the last communication. Since then all communication has seized. I have now no alternative but to go this route as nobody from the blue rooms is responding.

I applied for my daughter via a facebook link (uk models) to become a model. On the 7th august I was contacted by uk models new face consultant luke saying that kayleigh's application has been successful and they would like to book her in for a photo shoot. I was asked a few questions by luke. One of the questions was, "do we work full time?" I answered yes and that we are both teachers. I asked him, "if my daughter is successful, when does the modelling/ castings take place?" luke answered "during school holidays and weekend". Purely based on this answer, we decided to go ahead with the photo shoot. Both my husband and I are teachers at private schools and our hours are 8:00-17:00 so we are available over weekends and school holidays. Nowadays all phone calls get recorded so please listen to this phone call, as this is the basis of our claim. The photo shoot took on saturday 10th august at 10:30. About 45min after the photo shoot, we were called in by zane, to view the photos. He informed us that the photo shoot went far better than what they would expect from an 8 year old, especially as this was her first time doing something like this. He then started asking us questions about kayleigh and us. Again one of the questions was, "do we work full time?" I said yes and that luke told us that all modelling/ casting will take place on weekends and school holidays. He said this is right and then went ahead to explain how the whole process will work and showed us the packages we can purchase. He also explained that this is a models cv and how important this will be for kayleigh to start her modelling. He then went ahead and explained the packages available but emphasised how important the portfolio, efolio and z card is for a model and that all models need this to go further. The package we purchased was £1 600 - 10 photos, efolio (kayleigh's own website and z-card), free advice/ information /support for a year or until kayleigh gets signed.

We felt pressurised, as this was a lot of money. We can't leave the premises and discuss this. If we wanted to go ahead, we need to decide rightthen. We decided to take the package based on the advice and information that luke and zane provided.

1. Modelling and casting take place on weekends and school holidays.
2. Kayleigh was very good especially for her age and lack of experience.
3. All models need a portfolio, z-card and efolio as this is like their cv.
4. We need the portfolio to apply to agencies and casting websites.

Then he further explained that there are 2 routes to follow. One is through signing with agencies. If you apply to an agency, they do all the work and find you castings. You need to go on the agency website and fill in an application form. The agency will ask for some photos and this is where you use your portfolio photos you have purchased from uk models (blue rooms). The agency will then sign you or not and normally take around 25% of what you get paid for the job. Second path is through casting websites. This is freelancing, where you need to sign up to their website. All castings get advertised on the website and then you apply for the jobs yourself. You need to be very pro-active and check the website daily. What he did not tell us is that the casting websites all cost money. We told him as we work full time we will use the agency route.

As soon as I started looking at the various agency websites that uk models/ blue rooms recommended I saw we have a huge problem. One of the first things every single website mention is that all modelling/ casting takes place during working hours monday-friday and that you should be able to travel on short notice normally 24 hours. I was furious as I clearly stated on 2 separate occasions we work full time and on 2 separate occasions I was told modelling/ casting is on weekends and school holidays. Secondly nearly all the websites said you don't need professional photos to apply. Thirdly some agencies have their own photographers and you can only use their photographers and this cost more money. These are but a few. I must have looked at around 30 websites and they all say the same. Once again we felt mislead. If we were told that most casting takes place during school time we we would never have signed the contract and not even have attended the photo shoot.

Most agencies also had stipulations or criteria when you send in your own photos
1. Colour
2. Plain back ground

They ask for a headshot and a full length. Uk models did 2 head shots, one in black/white and one not on a plain background. I have only 1 full length; again not on a plain back ground.

As a goodwill gesture I was offered a partial refund of £800. Once I lodged my formal complaint, all communication has stopped.

I was mis-sold a package I cannot use. I was mis-lead to sign a contract. No agency wants to sign kayleigh with the stipulation she can only work holidays or weekend. I have tried. We used all our savings to pay for a portfolio and support that is just lying at home. Never to be used, wasted money. We trusted the advice we were given on 2 separate occasions. And now the manager I have been dealing with doesn't take my phone calls or respond to my e-mails or my complaint. What am I to do?

From bizzykidz website
Please consider below before applying to the agency
Are you available to travel to auditions/jobs during the day, sometimes at short notice? You do 'not' require an expensive portfolio to apply to any agency. Snapshots are fine so beware of companies claiming to 'help' or 'prepare' you for this industry. You do not need a portfolio to apply to any agency!
Please read our blog page: http://blog.bizzykidz.com/2016/11/modelling-scams-dont-get-caught-out/
We receive in excess of 10 calls a day from parents & models who have paid hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds for completely useless portfolios, websites, z-cards etc. Companies who provide such things are not agencies and parents should be aware that any 'reputable' agency will insist on meeting and testing their own models under camera before signing them, regardless of any experience gained in a studio. Any agency that does not want to meet a models and test them should be avoided as clients insist only those 'capable' of the task asked be sent. An agency cannot know an artist well enough to send to a client with confidence unless they have met and assessed them. No agency will allow a child to present their own z-card to their client, nor supply, or use their own website to their clients.

From bruce and brown website
Bruce and brown is currently recruiting children of all ages. Please read the following carefully before applying:
• we only take on babies and children who live in or near london
• castings and shoots can be very last minute so flexibility is vital
• it must be a parent, legal guardian or a registered chaperone taking the child to shoots
• castings take place after school (for school aged children) but shoots take place during school time, you must be happy for your child to miss school for shoots
• bruce and brown is a sole rep agency
• we do not charge any joining fees and we do not require a portfolio

Bonnie and betty website
Please bear in mind that castings are generally very short notice, sometimes the agency is given less than 24hrs notice, and are mainly in central london for the southern division and central manchester for the northern division. Castings for school age children are generally after school, normally between 4-6pm. Castings for children not of school age generally take place during the day.
Shoots will nearly always take place during the day, so for school age children, parents must be happy for their child to miss school as and when. The agency/client will apply for a child performance licence for your child when required. Parents must of course also be available to chaperone their child to castings/shoots.

An e-mail from the blue rooms

Further to your telephone conversation with my colleague, amaan we would like to confirm that we have offered you the following purely as a gesture of goodwill:

• partial refund of £800. Despite this refund, we will also provide you with a disc containing all the images taken on the day of kayleigh's photo shoot for the amount you have paid thus far. However, due to this offer we will de-activate the e-folio website.

We are asking for a full refund on the basis of
• misleading actions and omissions and incorrect information given which lead to
Us signing a contract
• aggressive commercial practices
• the photos sold to us could not be used on several agency websites due to
Them being black/white and not on a plain background
• we were lead to believe a portfolio, efolio and z card is essential to get a model started, like her cv. Agencies don't ask for a portfolio and will do their own photos once the model signs with them.

I have taken advice from citizen's advice. They told me this dispute falls under the consumer protection for unfair trading regulations 2008, misleading information played a significant factor into us entering into a contract.

I would appreciate it if you can look at the circumstances which lead us to sign a contract. I just want this nightmare to end.

Correspondence with "the blue rooms"

1. From:
Subject: kayleigh outram - br498347
Date: 29 august 2019 14:30:02 bst
To:
Cc: "'amaan m'"

Dear eugenie,
 
Further to your telephone conversation with my colleague, amaan we would like to confirm that we have offered you the following purely as a gesture of goodwill:
 
• partial refund of £800. Despite this refund, we will also provide you with a disc containing all the images taken on the day of kayleigh's photo shoot for the amount you have paid thus far. However, due to this offer we will de-activate the e-folio website.
 
Subject to your acceptance, we will process the partial refund of £800 to the same card you used on the day and we will dispatch the images which will then be delivered to you within 5 working days. The e-folio website will then be de-activated.
 
If you wish to accept our offer, please respond to this email with the following:   "I accept the offer in this email in full and final settlement of all claims or rights of action that I have against the blue rooms (london) limited."

2. From: amaan m
Subject: re: kayleigh outram
Date: 2 september 2019 14:49:33 bst
To: eugenie outram, gary outram
Cc: sihana the bluerooms

Dear eugenie,
 
Please send any written correspondence to myself, amaan m, the blue rooms (london) ltd, 115 great portland street, london, w1w 6qh.
 
You can also send it by email to amaan@thebluerooms.net.
 
We will make our offer available to you until monday 9 september 2019.
 
We look forward to hearing from you.
 
 
Kind regards,
 
Amaan. M     |     t: 02073236014

3. From: eugenie outram
Subject: kayleigh outram
Date: 6 september 2019 13:28:35 bst
To: gary outram, amaan@thebluerooms.net

Dear amaan

I hope you are well.

I am following up regarding our complaint. I sent it via email to your address as suggested on monday but have not heard back from you. 

Thank you for extending your deadline to this coming monday but will you be responding before the deadline? 

As you are aware we are requesting a full refund. We received some advice from citizens advice and trading standards and the first step they suggested is to make a formal complaint in writing and receive your response to our complaint in writing. 

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards
Eugenie 

Dear kayleigh,

We have received your letter of complaint which you emailed to me and will aim to respond to the points you raised within three working days (by wednesday 11 september).

We appreciate you would like to resolve this matter, as do we.

We will made our offer available to you until monday 30 september.

Kind regards,

Amaan. M | t: 02073236014

Eugenie outram 19 september 2019 at 15:09
To: amaan m, gary outram
Dear amaan

I hope you are well.

I was hoping there is an update about my complaint. Its been over 2 weeks and I have not heard anything.

Please can you let me know what is happening.

Kind regards
Mrs eugenie outram

On the 29th july my daughter had an appointment for a photoshoot to the manchester office. Only I could go with my daughter from Scotland which was a very long journey so we were exhausted by the time we got there. Now I clearly see how well planned everything this company does . From the first phone call till you sign the contract.
They took some photos of my daughter but they rushed it and were very impatient with her. Then we had to wait another hour so we could talk to a lady in an office. My daughter is just 3 years old so she really had enought of everything at that time. The lady started by telling us about the packages. Obviously she said the most expensive one (around 3 or 4000) is the best. I couldn't listen at this point I was very shocked by the prices. In the e-mail they sent there was only mention of £50 /photos.
After like 20 minutes how talented my daughter is and how I have to help her in her carrier my daughter had an accident and I had to run with her to the toilet. When I got back I couldnt do it anymore I just wanted to go home so I signed the contract paid £400 and they kept my deposit £100. The rest I can pay by monthly instalments for a year. Half an hour later after I left the building I realized what I had done and phoned them to cancel the contract. They said there was nothing I could do. Now, 2 weeks later I called citizens advice, sent blue rooms letters, sent them e- mails but it seems to me there is really nothing I could do. How they work on people amaze me totally and how they get away with it all the time. After I paid the full amount I am not even sure if I will really get the 10 photos. I hope I can help other people with this comment about this horrible company.

Had my suspicions it was a dodgy place but took my little girl down for the free hair styling and the photography which she loved! Paid £50 deposit but knew I would not be purchasing the ‘portfolio' at the end of the session. It is however a COMPLETE SCAM, do not come here. They took us into a tiny basement office with some intimidating burly guy who was outright aggressive when trying to get me to purchase a portfolio for £1500! It only had 20 photos and some contacts for agencies which according to other reviews I've read is all BS. Basically don't ever come here...ever!

I took my child for a shoot last Saturday. I have paid £100 deposit before attending. The lady over the phone said that portfolio cost is only £50 if we would buy it. Then after shot we were taken to the meeting room and there was a nightmare. The lady said that a girl has potential to be as a child model. Under emotions we were signing a contract and paid £400 by card plus £100 from deposit. In total £500 for 2 cd - pictures and list of an agencies for modelling. Then we have realised it was mistake. I want to cancel this contract and get my money back, everything has been done under pressure because this lady put a pressure on. There you believe that you do everything for your child, but that is a game with your emotions done by them. I contacted a law office and action will be taken as we have recording from phone talk and meeting room on our phones. This time it's enough. If somebody has similar experience and got money back please contact.

hello,

I have looked on my CC bills and I have been charged 135 pounds without even using the studio in-spite of I had already mentioned that there was an issue with my daughter's health that day.
Please could you reimburse the charges or I would complaint this to OfCom.
I was already charged 50 pounds earlier.

So in total I am being charged for 185 pounds for no service.
Please confirm the reversal of charges asap of 185 pounds to my account.

Thanks,
Sunil

Client Name: Siddhi Lodha
Assessment Date: Monday 15th of July 2019
Assessment Time: 12:00
Total Deposit Paid: £50
New Faces Consultant: Lucy
Studio: The Blue Rooms Studios
115 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 6QH

Hi Sunil,

Thank you for your email and I'm sorry to hear about your situation.

Rescheduling the shoot under the circumstances would be the best option, as to cancel the shoot now would mean that you are subject to the £135 studio hire fee as stated in our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are in your email, confirmation letter and were also read out to you when you placed your booking over the telephone.

As we have already paid for the full shoot to reschedule your appointment you will need to pay an additional £50. This gets added onto the £50 you have already paid and the full £100 is either refunded (providing you attend) or can be used towards the purchase of photographs.

Should you wish to reschedule your appointment please contact me on the phone number below today.

Kind Regards,

Diary Manager | T: [protected]