07-3846-7555

He told me stories that made it seem like these angry people were just models who "didn't make it" don't believe his stories, believe these people and seek business somewhere else.

to pay hundreds, even thousands of dollars to be laughed at and humiliated by casting agents and embarrassed with really unflattering photo's of yourself topless and spread eagle as well as posted all over the internet, by all means sign up with epatant. Wayne Jaye, WILL take blurry unprofessional photo's in his garage of you topless and spread eagle and stash a bundle away for recreational use. Real agents, only ever show you in the best light, if not only to represent their agency to the highest standard. Go elsewhere, you'll thank yourself later. This website should be enough of a warning bell for you, don't wait until you've given him all of your savings. He's a professional con-man, he knows what he's doing.

I'm so glad this page has been created. When I was first in contact with Epatant they were a relatively new agency and Googling them only brought up their webpage. Luckily this page is now one of the top links in Google.
I was involved with Epatant over a year ago now. I figured out pretty quickly that the business was not legitimate and that Wayne was not a professional by any stretch. I promptly asked him to remove my images from his website however he refused for months.
I started legal action to take him to small claims court and before a court date was set, he removed my pictures - but let me tell you, it was no easy feat. It was an embarrassment to be associated with the "agency" - I didn't want people to Google my name and be brought to a shoddy page on Epatant.
Girls, stay away from this "agency". Or at least know what you're getting yourself into:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200609/s1751436.htm

I feel very sorry for the new girls he has signed up. They are good quality models, however are wasting their efforts in his agency. Wayne Jaye's photos are [***] and do not do any of them any favours. He brags about how he knows better, how he's got all of this experience, avoid other photographers who don't know what they are doing... It's all a load of bs, he's got no idea... stay away or risk having the worst photos of yourself stuck online forever. He's a haggard old con man, appearance upon first meeting him should be warning enough. Anyone who shoots models in their garage with a cheap drop sheet and no lighting is dodgy. Anyone who does not interview in a designated office is dodgy. Anyone who does not invest money into a studio and studio equipment is dodgy. Any photographer who does hair, makeup and styling themselves as well as having the time to direct an agency... is DODGY. He has the balls to critique and denegrade other photographers, he should definitely take a look at himself in the mirror and wake the feck up.

Epatant does more harm then good. For God's sake be CAREFUL. Don't be stubborn, listen to these people - THIS IS REAL.

I worked for Wayne as a receptionist for a two months , at first he seemed like a lovely man but I soon got to realise he is a very strange and untrustworthy person.
He never payed me but blamed it on the accountant and vowed he would get ontop of it. Never did.
He drove a brand new BMW  and claimed the agency would be moving to a new expensive million dollar location on the Brisbane river, in which I thought was odd seeing as he slept at the agency and I never saw real success from any of the models so wondered where all the money was coming from.
I decided enough was enough and sent him a simple text message explaining that due to the fact that he had not paid me, I am quitting. I never heard back from him.
A friend of mine at the agency paid $1400 and neevr recieved her comp cards or porfolio.

Word of advice- dont have anything to do with him or the company.

Hi,

Has anyone submitted a claim to the small claims office? If so how did you go? If anyone would like to give evidence against Epatant in the small claims office please let me know.

Hi,

Did you get any monies owed to you back via the small claims office? Or were you just after your photo's to be removed?

It is very rare that Wayne Jaye will pull your profiles down off the website, even after a legal document or termination is submitted. It literally takes less than 30 second to delete a profile using the back end of the website - and I know because I used to update models profiles when I used to work there. He is a lazy [***] who is unreliable and never does what he promises. I too spent many months working for Wayne and was never paid a cent.

The process at small claims / the department of fair trading takes a couple of months to come through - but I strongly suggest to everyone who has been unfairly treated to take this measure - as every little complaint is a step closer to closing down epatant.

How can epatant pay you back, when the agency itself doesn't earn any money? Wayne Jaye has no money and relies on government handouts and accomodation. He lives in a [***] hole in the scrubs with other mental illness patients and moves everytime someone that wants him hurt finds him again. The only member of staff that I am aware of at current is one of his models Jess Shields. He's got no creative team (does hair and makeup - badly mind you - by himself. Takes all the models photos - badly - by himself, in his garage with a [***] camera and no professional equipment. What little money he does get out of models goes straight into his own bank account, and covers his rent and food - so if your expecting portfolios, pictures, comp cards etc... Trust me when I say you wont be seeing them - ever. Same goes for work. He has no professional bookers on board, its just Jess Shields and himself. The industry laughs at epatant. It's not a modeling agency it is a blatant scam run by a master con artist.

Soon enough, Jess Shields will snap out of his trance and realise that she too has been played.

Please, please complain to the department of fair trading. This has to stop.

Hey everyone,

I also was scammed, a while ago now but I still think about it regularly. I feel so utterly stupid and disappointed in myself for being played along like a fool. I had so many people in my life tell me not to sign etc for reasons other than it is a giant scam, but I wanted to believe I could do it.

Like all of you, I had my money taken in an instance, with promises made of comp cards and work and success. I feel sick thinking that I used money my deceased father left for me on it, especially when a year later I was in quite a financial spot of difficulty and that money would have come in handy.

I found it hard to contact the agency, and was made to feel worthless when I missed a class due to a severe thunderstom (as I lived further from the agency than most girls and did not want to drive for an hour in torrential rain, hail and wind).

I was told that real models don't wear bra's and underwear, and was forced to stand on a stair case railing in 6 inch high heels, two stories above the ground. I stated I was uncomfortable doing this task and was met with a barrage of criticism and loathing.

I had one proper photo shoot, and never saw any photo's from it. I still have photo's up on the website, which were taken during a test shoot before I actually signed. I never got a call back or info about classes restarting after christmas break, was never offered any work, and did not, and still have not, heard from the owner in over twelve months.

It has caused many an argument with my family and my partner, as they want me to pursue legal action to recover my money and inform the public. But I know it will go no where, I do not want to drag myself through the humiliation of saying that I was silly enough to fall for the lies and deceit. I googled names before signing and found a negative court case, but being the good person I like to believe I am, I believed him and gave him the benefit of the doubt. Silly me, huh?!

The day I went for my interview there was graffiti on the garage door of the agency, stating some profanity and threat, but I figured graffiti is every where, so what?

It is so disgusting and wrong that this blatant scam can continue to run and steal the monies of hopeful young men and women. The stupid thing is that all of us on here have more chance of being brought to 'justice' for defamation and what not than the agency for fraud and misconduct.

I urge everyone who has been involved to post on here and share. It made me feel better to see that I am not the only one holding onto regret. Venting to people in the same boat who understand helped. Maybe we can do some sort of group action; surely the voice of many must mean something?

Your fellow victim.

Hi! Dont worry, you not the only one:( I am in contact with most of the models from Epatant who told me terrible stories:(  Same as you are , I am too embarassed to tell someone. I actually contacted office of fair trading but they said that they wont be able to help:( I just want this agency to be shut down. Its sad to see new faces on the web. Moreover, Wayne also had facebook page. Make sure you contact fb privacy if your photo there. Good luck to everyone. And if someone decided to take any legal actions or need support. please do let me know! I am keen to take it futher

i understand!
recently, like, 3 weeks ago kind of recently, i had an interview with him and jess shields.
both were very lovely and sweet, funny and told me i had exactly what they wanted. I'm 15. I've been modelling with tamblyn models for the past 2 years, though i thought it was time for a change, for my own personal reasons. epatant seemed like the way to go!

we met twice, with my parents. they agreed that he was lovely, but seemed creepy and strange. i seriously disagreed and almost made them sign the contract on the spot. the contract is sitting on our dining table right now, still unsigned.

since reading all this page of .. mess..., i've decided not to sign with epatant. i'm terrorfied to think i even met them. i generally dont believe everything i hear, but this is just... too much. bad name, too risky, too much money to just, let go and forget. never to get your own photos, or comp cards.

this hasnt been an easy decision though because they are so lovely, and still have me convinced.

my friend, who has been conned by him, and i, are sending an email to a curent affair.
lets see how this goes!
i'm deeply sorry for everyone on here who has been scammed, but hey, keep modelling,
try viviens, or tamblyn. both are very very good :)
best of luck! xxxxxx

Good girl, I am so glad to see that this page has not been published in vain. Get the word out about epatant. Both Wayne and Jess are lovely and convincing in the beginning.... however don't be fooled. The best con people are the most convincing. Out of curiosity where did you have the meeting? Do they have new offices?

Omg... I'm freaking out didn't know about this guy being so creepy.. I have left my usb with my styling work on it and now he won't answer my calls... I am freaking that he will copy the photos on to his comp and try to use them...

your photos belong to you. You can seek legal action if he puts them online without permission

So glad someone read it before signing the contract! Lets spread the word! Agencies like Epatant is such an embarassment to fashion industry!

I am shocked... had no idea about all this until I read it today! I know that Jess left about 2 weeks ago.  I signed my contract in October 2010, have just completed my comp card shoot and am waiting for them to get printed off. I am scared of leaving the agency as the contract states that any discounts must be paid... and I received discounts. Maybe I should just wait and see if he prints them along with the portfolio?? I am really worried and scared of him now.

To Scared and worried ,Do not be afraid of this man .Hes all bluff you actually hold all the cards. Go and seek legal advice .Contact the police If he threatens you. Do not let his Bi Polar disorder make you feel sorry for him. That is what he wants you to do.
              Wayne Jayes  Birth name was Wayne Kerslake. He just had it changed. When things heated up for him in South Australia. So next time you see him say to him How are you going Wayne Kerslake .Let his cogs start turning for once. Then tell him you are not paying one red cent and you want all goods that you payed for or a total refund. Then end the conversion with thankyou Mr Kerslake or is that Mr Jaye .    

This also applies to any other person  that he owes money or goods to ....Do exactly the same thing :But also seek legal advice as well.....He cannot be allowed to continue and rip others off.

I am sooo glad for all your comments! I just had an interview with Wayne and gave me a contract and a promise of heaps of work. I decided to google him before signing it and im so glad I did. Thanks for posting all your stories.

to scared and worried:

Don't even worry about the contract. It worth nothing. His agency is not even registered. The problem is that you paid money:( and trust me, he wont print even 1 photo for you. you can try to call him and ask him to do it but after few phone calls he wont even answer you calls anymore. and soon he will find a new victim to work for him:(  its sad

PS it will be one of the girls from the agency. Girl watch out!

I have met with three modelling agencies and have worked as a marketing assistant at another. Epatant was one of these agencies. I brought the contract home and was immediately greeted by my housemates with a "it's a joke". I got very upset at first thinking they were mocking me, but in reality it was them mocking him. The contract was one page long, his so called "discounts" had to be written by hand (IN GREEN INK!). A professional who is making an appeal to someone for money puts in more effort you would think?

Also, during my interview I asked Wayne about the jobs the models had of recent and he told me they get good jobs. Didn't tell me what jobs they were. ICK! how did i even contemplate signing? honestly! As I left the interview he gave me a magazine, it was a gesture that I was "important" etc etc. But the magazine dated back to mid 2009! He gives me the creeps and what's worse is there are more agencies popping up in Brisbane who don't have the credibility either.

If you are serious about modelling got to Dallys or Viviens castings; or do it yourself. Apply to boutiques, shops and websites who publish photoshoots instead of meeting with scammers such as Wayne.