I would like to warn people about Viresh Pujara of Covermodels Management. This is not because of one unpleasant personal experience this is from speaking with several models and photographers in the Ottawa/Toronto area who have been robbed by this man. I simply do not want any more models/photographers to be ripped off by him. Viresh is the epidome of the dark, currupt side of modelling.
The Book Scam:
One of the main ways Viresh steals money from models is assisting them in building their book/portfolio. He'll find a nice unsuspecting photographer that does not charge a fee for shooting models. Then take several models to the shoot and claim that the shoot was free but it will cost $30 plus tax for the editing and the physical print. The money does not go to the photographer it goes directly to Viresh.
(It costs less than $6 to print a high resolution photo for the record.)
He also sets up photo shoots with experienced photographers in Toronto. He will say that you need to go to Toronto to do these photoshoots if you wish to get a modeling contract overseas. He claims the photographers charge on $150 for a shoot. You are charged $150 for the shoot itself and another $30 plus tax per print.
Since leaving Viresh, myself and other ex CoverModels have contacted these photographers and have learnt that they in fact did not receive any money for doing these shoots.
Also, you do not get to see your photos before paying for them, so even if you are not happy with them there is nothing you can do about it. Most people are not totally oblivious to the lies they just put up with it because they want a modelling contract.
Another reason why he is so successful with this formula is because he plays on people's hopes. He will wave an international modelling contract in front of you. All you have to do is pay him these ridiculous prices first.
If you have money and a modeling dream Viresh will take every dime you have.
Heaven forbid you realize he is a scam artist after you've given him your money & started your modeling career. Viresh will make up lies & tell agencies anything he can to ruin your reputation.
Viresh has acquired a terrible reputation in Ottawa and I'm not positive if he is still even able to convince photographers in Ottawa to shoot his models. Regardless, all this information should serve as evidence as to why you should not get involved with him. There are to many reputable agencies in the industry to involve yourself with Viresh. There are so many things I haven't even addressed in this article but simply for the sake of the other models and photographers I will not mention their troubles in detail.
I would like to state that I did not write this article out of spite. I simply want to save inspiring models the trouble of having the "CoverModels Experience" themselves.