Should model agencies charge

By law modeling agencies are not allowed to charge their models anything. The only way an agency is able to make money off of the models it represents is by taking a commission from each paying gig they book for them. Agencies should not charge you directly for putting together a portfolio or for taking modeling classes. If you do end up paying for your portfolio you will be paying the photographer, not the agency.

It is totally fair for agencies to take a commission for their part in finding a model paid work but not for any other reason.