MAPS Studios
reviews and complaints

Yo, dropping into MAPS Studios in NYC was like stepping into another world, for real. This place buzzes with creativity and cool vibes, making you feel like you've been part of the crew forever.

First things first, the transformation game at MAPS is next level. They had me switching up outfits and looks so fast, it was like being in a high-speed fashion movie. The team’s vibe is all about making you feel chill and confident, turning the whole day into a blast where you get to shine like a star.

loved every second of the shoot! *** was a sweet heart and very informative my pictures came out great!

My photoshoot was an eye opening experience! I spoke with *** initially, and he prepared me for the day by explaining the outfits, the objective of the assessment, and what to expect when I got there. The team was very patient with me since I had no experience in the modeling world, and I was shocked at how well I photographed and how much fun I had! I'm beyond pleased with the quality of my portfolio and looking forward to what's next!

The photographers and stylists at MAPS Studios will make you feel like an absolute superstar for your shoot! Everyone at the studio was genuine, talented, thoughtful, and straightforward. The team there is brilliant and they are incredibly efficient at what they do. Furthermore, the studio is a welcoming, clean, comfortable, and professional atmosphere. I would recommend trying this place out if you are new to the industry and want to experience what a high end modeling shoot feels like!

Avoid this place and go elsewhere. MAPS Studios may seem legitimate, but they're actually scammers. They'll pressure you into signing a contract, and the lady who spoke to us was talking really fast. She even lit a sage in front of us while saying all these nice things about modeling. Then she abruptly got up and approached us, demanding our debit/credit card. They'll make you pay a hefty sum, and if you can't afford it, they'll pass your case to a debt collector. I can't believe it. These people are absolutely insane!

These guys are like almost scammers. Don't deal with this modeling agency. They approached me with some info, but when I left a few days later, the boss had given me totally different info about costs and what they actually offer. The photographer and makeup artists were good and nice. They did their job well. But what they actually offer was way different from what they first said. I talked to three different people and got three different answers, and the boss, ***, was the biggest scammer and had the final say. APEX Studios is a really crappy place to deal with.

I been harassed by them for the last year. They pressured me to sign a document I later found out was a contract and I couldn't get out of it because the document sent to me was encrypted and couldn't be opened for a week after the experience. They weren't even registered on here until recently. So I had nowhere to look and verify their quality or if it was a scam(Which it turned out to be). And it's suspicious to only have positive reviews. They posed to be a real company with makeup artists photographers and editors on-site waste 5 hours of your time and then pressure to sign a contract making a down payment and you are stuck with a contract they later say is a loan. Which is insane. Since you see no money and no product until you pay them. A complete and elaborate scheme. Later on if you continue to fight them they will send you over to a debt collector and try to ruin your credit. Very cruel.

I've read some of these reviews. Yeah, I also got scammed out of my money. Plus, they pressured me into signing a contract. They told me that if I signed the contract, I would get my photo, and they would send a company to call me for paid modeling for commercials, acting, and photo shoots. I paid a total of 900 dollars, including the initial fee. The people who did the makeup and took the photos were awesome. But when it came to the last person, they showed me the photos in the office. Yeah, it had been my dream for years. I told the manager to let me think about it, but they insisted that I had to make a decision right then and there. My package was *** dollars. When I called them two days later, I was told that the photos were emailed to me. But no, they weren't. Now I'm getting threatened if I don't pay on my credit card. I had told them three days ago that I wanted to cancel everything. Supposedly, there's a 5-day business window for cancellations, but that's not true. I just want them to refund me what I paid. This is crazy. Some of us need help to get our money back and cancel everything. I even called the ComplaintsBoard.com, and there was a bad review on there.

I had an amazing experience during my photoshoot at MAPS Studios. My makeup artist was amazing. He made flowers and put them in my hair, using tissue paper. Can you believe it? Tissue paper! He also styled my short hair in ways I didn't even know were possible. I really liked his personality, attention to detail, and professionalism. I was super nervous about the photoshoot, so I practiced my poses a lot beforehand. But when I met the photographer, he was really nice and reassured me that everything would be fine. He gave me easy directions to follow and knew a lot about his job. I just had to do what he said, and he did all the hard work. I'm so grateful for that. I felt so relaxed during the shoot, thanks to the photographer. When it was time to buy my pictures, the staff at MAPS Studios were great. They were professional, friendly, and really knew their stuff. They even support the military, which means a lot to me and my husband because we're both veterans. I absolutely love all of my pictures, so much so that I bought all of them. If you're just starting out in the modeling or talent industry, Studio 1 at MAPS Studios is the perfect place to build your portfolio.

This place is a bunch of scammers that get to represent themselves as legitimate. They milk people for $4000 for a deal and they target people especially children. They also use emails acting as debt collectors. I am warning you to not pay them ! File as many lawsuits as you all can! Do not fall for their trick. They brought me in with my daughter and had her do photos, they photos looked very good and told me I could have them without the water mark after a paying $4000, plus a portfolio, website and help with contracts but it is fake. They have scammed many people and reel in people giving them a dream. It’s very sad honestly because she pressured us saying my daughter had the best photos.

I went to a modeling photoshoot to create a portfolio, and I signed a document that I couldn't actually read. The text was displayed on a large screen with tiny letters, and the person didn't fully explain its contents. They especially failed to mention the cost of *** dollars, which I didn't want to pay if I decided not to continue.

On 6/16, I went to a test shoot with MAPS Studios to check if I might like to be a model. I found them on Instagram. After the shoot, I talked to one of the managers who said I was great and could do well in the industry. Then they told me how much it would cost and said I had to decide that day or they'd delete the photos. I was still feeling excited, so I felt pressured and paid $4000. They went through the contract quickly, but didn't mention their refund policy. About a month later, I started feeling like they didn't support me and I didn't want their services anymore. I asked for a refund, but they flat out said no and only then told me about a 24-hour cancellation period and gave me a copy of the contract. I just want my money back.

I had a bad experience with MAPS Studios. They tricked me into signing papers for the photo session. They said I only had to pay $50 for the appointment, but then they told me the photo package cost $300. The person on the phone didn't mention that it was a contract, they just told me to sign. They didn't have anyone to explain things to me properly. They said it wasn't a contract, just a sign, and that I would get 6 photo sessions. They never mentioned the terms and conditions. It felt like a scam. They took advantage of me not being fluent in English and believing what their customer service told me. It was a trap, a scam.

In May , me and my Mom went to *** Studio at ***. We wanted to do a photoshoot so I could start my modeling career. We had to pay a small fee before going in, a day before my appointment. But we were never told about the $4000 payment until after they took my photos and sent us to talk to the boss ***. She said we had to pay $1000 upfront and then make monthly payments. Life circumstances made it impossible for us to afford the rest, considering how little we get paid from our jobs. On top of that, the business never gave me the modeling job or the photos they took. They made me believe that once they took my photos, I would start working right away. They tricked us in the end and now they're pressuring us to pay through *** by today, December 30, 2022, or they'll harm my Mom's credit score. We can't afford to pay $3000, especially when we haven't received anything to pay for. I never got a job from them, and I never received any photos. Please help us with our situation, and we'll gladly provide more info and documents if needed.

I got a call from someone at apex studios who said I looked great and offered me a free photo shoot. They asked for a $50 deposit to secure my spot, promising to give it back later. They also mentioned that if I wanted more modeling opportunities, I would have to pay $399 for their contact info and ongoing work with them. On the day of the shoot, they rushed me into signing a contract worth $4000. I told them I needed to talk to my husband first, but they insisted I couldn't leave without signing or they would delete my photos. They said I had 72 hours to cancel. I left feeling uneasy because I felt pressured and wasn't allowed to read the form I signed. When I got home, I researched the company and realized this is their scheme to take people's money and trap them in a non-cancelable contract. I emailed them asking for a refund and because I did it within a certain time frame, they should give my money back. Now they're threatening to send me to collections and asking me to take back my dispute with my credit card company. They should have been honest with their customers from the start.

Apex Studios be advertisin' false info online. The link takes ya to a modelin' app that promises ya can make 200 bucks a day. So I applied, right? They asked me 'bout stuff like my age and date of birth, nothin' 'bout money. Then they hit me up as Apple Models, but this agency, Apex, ain't findin' nobody no work. And get this, they tryna sell me back my own dang pictures when they said they wouldn't. The pics cost anywhere from 400 to 6000 bucks, and they sprung this on me at the last minute. It's straight-up fraud, man. I ain't even sure if this agency is legit. When I confronted 'em 'bout it, they straight-up told me I needed therapy and called me an idiot. None of the staff wanted to help me, so they blocked my number. That's their idea of customer service, I guess. I talked to 'bout 5 different people, and after 50 freakin' phone calls, they finally gave me back my 50 bucks. But I want my pictures too, ya know? I asked 'em to delete 'em in emails and phone calls, and they said they would, but I never got no confirmation email. I reckon they still got my pics. This all went down from 8/2/22 to 8/4/22. If y'all can help, please give me a call back. Every dang employee was rude, nasty, and disrespectful. I got some notes at the bottom 'bout the phone calls I had with 'em tryna get some dang answers.

It's really simple. This place is a scam. I'm glad I did some research beforehand and found out that this so-called New York models thing is actually Apple. They team up with Apex studio to run some print mill thing. They pretend to be real modeling agencies, like New York models, and that's how they trick you into giving them your info and setting up a test shoot. Normally, test shoots don't cost any money. It's a time for print thing. The photographer uses your pics for their portfolio and you can use theirs for yours. But this ain't no modeling agency. They just pretend to be one when you apply for their online casting. So if you don't have any modeling or industry experience, like me, you might fall for it. They make you spend the whole day shooting, give you a thumbs up or down, and then try to sell you portfolio packages for future work. But here's the thing, they don't actually hook you up with any real opportunities like a real agency would. Basically, they tricked you into paying for a shoot you could've done for free, and then they take your money and disappear.

Thank you for helping me out! My son was asked to try out for a model agency, so my husband and I took him to *** and gave it a try. After the modeling shoot, they wanted him to sign up for what I thought was representation. After thinking about it, we agreed and paid the agency $2800. But as things unfolded, we became discouraged and regretful because it wasn't what we expected. We were supposed to send his information out and find him jobs, but I'm not an agent and I have no idea what I'm doing! Also, due to the lovely covid situation, there are very few jobs available (which they didn't tell us), and many agencies that are considered "local" (even though they're still 3-4 hours away) aren't accepting models from other states because of covid. I tried my best for a few months, but it's not what we signed up for, especially with all these obstacles. I've reached out to them multiple times to explain how unhappy I am, and at one point, I even asked for a refund. But they just try to sugar coat things and make me do more work. I'm wondering what I actually paid the $2800 for. I did get a portfolio, but I could have gotten that much cheaper! I feel like I've been taken advantage of, and it's disappointing for my son too, which no parent likes. Thanks for your help with this!

I had a feet injury in February and while I was recovering, I came across Apex Modeling application. They asked me to apply for modeling if I was interested and fit their category. I sent them a few pictures, including one of me dressed as a flight attendant. They approved me for commercial modeling. I was unemployed at the time and had already spent money on training to be a flight attendant two years prior. I needed to pay the rest of my tuition to graduate, but my feet injury and unemployment were delaying that. I had some savings that were supposed to go towards a down-payment for a home or rent. I was happy to hear that I got approved for modeling, as I thought it could be my career and help me pay for my tuition. They asked me to schedule an appointment with them in *** and I had to pay $50 for the appointment. If they liked my pictures and portfolio, they would charge me $300 to apply for modeling agencies and work as a model with a professional portfolio. However, it never happened. They ended up charging me $4000 for pictures, email, and a website, which they removed after a year. I ended up spending almost $5000 for just two days in , hoping for a career as a ***, but it never happened, even though I had the look and figure of a model.

I've always wanted to be a model, so I sent my headshots to MAPS Studios. A guy named John called me and said I had a great look. He wanted me to come to the studio for a test shoot. He mentioned that if the studio liked me, they would help me become a model. John made it sound like I was a sure thing because of my look. He even mentioned how special it was that he called me, considering he sees hundreds of photos every day.

I went to the shoot on July 14th at 11:30. The studio was called Apex Studios, but there was no Apple Model branding anywhere. They took my photos and then I had a meeting with Sarah to discuss the pictures. She was really excited about how perfect they were and how I would definitely be a successful model with her help. However, she said I needed to buy the model package, which included a website and the photos from that day. Sarah made it seem like she would help me find jobs and that Apple Models had a website with job listings I could easily apply to. She kept saying that with the materials in the model package, I would definitely get modeling jobs. She was confident that I would start booking jobs as soon as I started applying. I paid $500 for the model package.

About a month later, I had a short modeling consultation call with someone I had never spoken to before. She told me I should pay a subscription fee to a few headhunting sites that weren't associated with Apple Models or Apex Studios. She didn't offer any other help and mentioned that Apple Models doesn't assist clients in finding jobs. Sarah never mentioned anything about third-party sites or fees. I've applied to over 50 jobs and 10 modeling agencies, but I haven't received a single callback. I feel like Apple Models really misled me.

My name is ***. I wanna tell you why I wanna file a claim against this modeling agency called MAPS Studios. So, I went there 'cause they said I'd be a good fit. They took some pics of me and then this guy took me to his office. He started talkin' about their business and gave me a booklet with prices for different packages. But here's the thing, I told him I don't understand English perfectly 'cause it's not my first language. I asked him to give me a printout or send me an email so I could read and translate it. But he didn't give me anything. Instead, he just kept talkin', showin' me more photos, and sayin' I'd find a job real quick. He sounded so sure and gave me hope, so I got confused. I mentioned that the $ *** package was too expensive and that I needed to talk to my husband about it. He told me I had to make a decision right then and there. I said it was too much money for me, and then he suddenly offered me a discount, sayin' I could pay $ *** every month. He also said they'd only start workin' on my portfolio website once I paid the full amount. He took my card and said they'd withdraw the deposit. He sent me an electronic check and told me to sign it on the *** screen. But when I looked at it, all I saw were empty boxes. He didn't even tell me what to read. When I left, I didn't receive any email or anything. Three days later, I called 'em to ask for a refund, but they transferred me to management. I sent 'em a request, but they refused to give me my money back. They sent me some contract, but I didn't even know about it or see it before. That's when I found out I could only get a refund within 24 hours after leavin' their office. But they didn't give me anythin' to read or any papers. If they call it a contract, both parties should have copies, right? Plus, he didn't even ask for my ID or driver's license.

So, I saw an Instagram ad about Apex Studios (with a free photoshoot), and we thought my daughter could give it a try. We booked a photoshoot and paid the $50-$100 deposit. I talked to this guy over the phone, and he explained all the conditions. He mentioned that if the photoshoot went well or showed potential, we would have a meeting in the office to discuss further steps. After the photoshoot, we were called into the office, and wow! The girl said my daughter had potential and that her photos came out great. The girl started talking really fast while lighting her sage in front of us. The portfolio was supposed to be optional, but she made it sound like a requirement. It felt like we couldn't leave the office unless we said yes. Suddenly, the girl stood up and walked in front of me (still talking really fast) and placed her hand, palms up, in front of me. She was already asking for my credit card! I was shocked and told her that we would think about it at home (it's a lot of money, $3000!) and that we would call her. But she kept talking about how great the photos were and how there might be a modeling job waiting because the photos turned out awesome! I was shocked in that moment and just wanted to get out of the situation. So, I gave them my card (my daughter and I just wanted to get out of there, it was awful and scary). They will pressure you to agree! They charged me $500 for the downpayment, and then they charged me $250 per month ($1225 total) for the remaining balance until I stopped (I found out about scammer complaints about them). There were emails about how to resolve the issue, so I told them we couldn't afford it as my daughter is going to college, but they insisted we should pay. They reached out again and asked if we could pay $250 as a settlement (they would let go of the $1000 remaining), so I emailed them and said yes, we would pay. But they did not reply. Now, they are scaring us by saying they will send the issue to a debt collector. I don't have my daughter's portfolio.