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[Disney Princess 6]

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[PooohBear]

I would never let my DD model !! I think there are so many more important (and better) things to do with their time !!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Like to hear more imput. I've 2 DD's, and one of them is a head turner.

 

[DizGeek]

Kids should be kids.

 

[PooohBear]

I do know a little girl (10) who does catalog modeling....well she's been doing it for about 5 years and let me tell you, she's not a "normal" kid....she only cares about how she looks and what she's wearing and is very conceited for a 10 year old !!! Do you want this for your child !??!?!

 

[MosMom]

I think parenting makes all the difference in the world. Not all children who do modeling/acting are conceited & self absorbed.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Unless the agency is Ford modeling, I could not trust them. Too many people get scammed.

 

[Disney Princess 6]

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[janette]

I know kids that have modeled, not really a big deal but it is lots of work for the parent. Depends on where you live how much work they would have. This area several opportunities for children. My 12yo DD wants to do modeling but isn't the right size for childrens or juniors. I'll look into it if she's still interested later on and has the height & build which right now is a real possiblity. We are probably also going to be doing braces for the next couple of years.

Every child is different, one of my girl's cousins was in Barney for about 5 years until she was 12yo. She was very quiet and reserved in person, very different from the persona she had on TV and certainly not conceited.

Young children have to be very cooperative, able to wait and stay happy for long periods of time.

An agency shouldn't be paid upfront and you really shouldn't have to use their photography to start out. Often that is one of the hooks of the scammers is to have you pay $$ more than you should for the photos they require.

Good luck and maybe she can earn a little $$ for her college fund.

 

[PooohBear]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound so harsh......I always think of that little girl I know and I feel so sorry for her !! She used to be such a sweet and fun kid but now is just so into herself and It just leaves such a bad taste in my mouth !

 

[Margie J]

I have to ask why your MIL is encouraging this. Is it because your DD is exceptionally attractive? That's the look agencies want sometimes but not always. What is the ultimate goal of this - fun, popularity, fame, money? Since your DD is only 4 you have to be willing to do the initial "sell" to an agency and they are likely to evaluate both of you.

If it's anything like adult modeling you won't necessarily need a professional portfolio. A reputable agency will help arrange for portfolio pictures to show to clients. Do you and your DD honestly have time to get to/from client calls for jobs? Does your DD take direction well and could she put up with potentially long photo shoots for ads? Is your DD comfortable with lots of people, outgoing and enjoy performing (such as in a dance recital)? Could you and your DD take criticism well? I went along with a friend as she enquired about joining an agency and they told her she didn't have the "look" they were after (but if she was willing to travel to NYC they "might" want her).

It doesn't hurt to go to an agency and ask a lot of honest questions about what the business entails for both you and your DD.


Just thought - You could take her to a fashion show and see how she reacts to the crowd and show. If she gets excited and asks about it, that's a good sign.

 

[Disney Princess 6]

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[shmoogrrrl]

Do you have a Talbots Kids in your area?

My neice and my Mother were in a Talbot's Kids a couple of years ago and the Manager happened to be there and ask Miri if she wanted to come the following weekend and model some of their new clothes. Apparently they just used regular kids. That might be a place to look to see if she likes it.

Originally posted by Disney Princess 6
By this I mean just local modeling for fashion shows or for small ads, etc...

My MIL is encouraging me to look into this for DD, age 4. I'm considering sending some shots to an agency, but I'm hesitant. I don't know what we should expect or even if DD has the right personality for such a thing.

I think I've located a real agency and not some phoney, money-making scam. Yet, one can never be too careful...

 

[Kendra17]

I used to model and my daughter did a teeny bit of modeling when she was younger. My son is really gorgeous, but I haven't looked into it here (where we live now).

A few months ago, I did get something in the mail. . .but it was a total scam. Make sure you look up these agencies on the web.

Remember the King Vitamin commercial where the little girl is eating breakfast with King Vitamin? She giggles back in her chair and says, "I love you King Vitamin". . .that was my parents' friends' daughter. From that ONE commercial she paid for her entire college education and more. She ONLY did that commercial. . .no other modeling at all.

 

[wdwpluto]

Originally posted by Jenn Lynn
Unless the agency is Ford modeling, I could not trust them. Too many people get scammed.

While Ford is definitely a reputable agency, it is not the only one out there. Click, Reich, and Wilhelmina are others that immediately come to mind. There are more, but it's early. You would just need to do research, like with anything.

Kids don't need portfolio pics, just clear recent photos (snapshots will do since kids change so quickly). Full length and close-up headshots.

I think it's definitely worth trying, but if your dd tries and doesn't like doing it, be willing to just let it go. I'm not trying to offend or anything, it's just that I've worked w/ too many child models who are only modeling b/c their parents make them (not saying YOU would do this, just saying... and trying to be as inoffensive as possible )

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I agree it is a very demanding schedule. I did this a little bit when my son was younger. The agency we went through, required updated photos every 3 months. Just casual, they wouldn't accept professional pics. The agency told me up front, don't ever give anyone money. Kids this little do not need a portfolio. But they also told me, that sometimes kids are used that are known to the advertiser or photographer, due to it being difficult to work with children at that young of an age. At least locally here. It got very difficult to take him to auditions were we would have to drive 45 minutes to the city, pay to park and sometimes sit for a couple hours. My son told me he didn't want to do it anymore and we stopped. He was about 3 at the time. I don't think I'll even try it with my DD.

 

[swanmom]

My DD does commercials and voiceovers and I have to echo the cautions of the other posters. It is soooooooooooooooo much work for me! I have to drop anything I'm doing, anytime, anywhere and drive wherever for auditions....usually with very little advance notice. No planning for stuff afterschool and constantly rearranging appointments, dance classes, piano lessons, etc. We can absolutely never count on a normal schedule.
AND, it's so much work for her. She has to be super-organized (with my help) - does a lot of her homework in the car (so she has to have all the right books, worksheets and materials), does her reading while she is sitting outside the audition room, and practices her songs or scripts in any spare space she can find.
FINALLY,
I would send my biggest caution to the idea that this be a way to "boost confidence." There is so, so, so much rejection for no apparent reason in this business. Most times, she hears nothing.... we never have any idea how she did, just that if enough time goes by and we haven't heard anything we assume she didn't get it. Then, I can't tell you the number of times when my DD was told "that was great, we loved you" and those don't pan out either. My DD is fairly successful at this and still she only books maybe one in fifty or sixty auditions. She's got to be really strong to keep going and keep her positive attitude.
SO,
why do we keep doing ths? Despite the work required, my DD really wants to do it and has a true passion for this. She loves it and is willing to make the necessary sacrifices to continue. Everytime she thinks about leaving it behind, she decides that she'll 'book the next one' and keeps going. On occasion, she has booked some fun things and had some great experiences. (She's even booked stuff for Disney!) Truly, if it were up to me, we'd quit tomorrow. But we have agreed that, as long as her grades in school are good (she's a top student) and we don't see signs that she is overly stressed or frazzled (and believe me, we watch carefully), she can continue.

P.S. I have to add...........I only have one child and have a very supportive, 'pitch-in and help type' DH. Not sure how you could do it otherwise.

 

[froglady]

I chose not to go that route with my daughter. I was asked if she could model for a local department store's ads (the photographer saw her at a party we were both attending; he's gay, BTW, so I had no concerns) I just knew that I wasn't willing to put in the time; dance was already taking way too much!

I've known boys and girls who model and act. Some are spoiled brats, some are delightful, well adjusted kids. I think they might be that way regardless.

I do know one girl (my daughter's friend) who was pushed into it by her mother, and really resented it! (She's 21 now)Her mother would get after her if her hair wasn't "perfect" every morning before she left for school!

And quite frankly, some of the children lost "the look" when they hit puberty, which was a real blow to their self-esteem.

But, as with anything else, if you can search your own soul and honestly say that your child is doing this (or ANY activity, including academics) solely because he/she wants it, and not because YOU want to bask in reflected glory, I'd say go for it.

 

[snoopy]

My sister and I did some catalog modeling as young teens. It was o.k. for me, my sister liked it a lot more and pursued it into her late teens.

I agree with the poster who said if the "agency" requires a fee, they are probably not on the up and up. When we were involved, the agency did get a percentage of our earnings, but nothing upfront.

 

[Feralpeg]

DD has done both modeling and acting. She does it because she loves it. There is nothing wrong with having children model as long as they enjoy it. It is hard with a little one because you won't really know until she's into it. If can be a big commitment if you decide to really work at it. Remember, you can always turn down any opportunity presented.

The main thing to remember about an agency is that you should never have to pay them anything with the possible exception of a fee to post your child's pictures online. You don't have to have them posted online if you'd rather not. If you do, it shouldn't cost more than $100 for a year. The biggest expense should be a good picture. With a small child, most places accept a good picture you've taken. Little children change so often, it is to expensive to keep having professional pictures taken. You can do so if you'd like. Agencies make money off the work they book for your child. They pay you, you don't pay them.

Is your daughter outgoing? Does she deal well with strangers? If so, I'd say go for it. If she is shy, then she would probably be uncomfortable and not work well with the photographers. A good test would be to have a professional picture done. Let the photographer work with her. You should stay back and just see how she does taking direction from the photographer. If she doesn't work well with a good photographer, then she is probably not ready for modeling.

By the way, I have no idea what you daughter looks like, but someone asked if she was particularly attractive. Attractive isn't necessarily what agencies are looking for. They want unique or children who just seem to jump out at you. Attractive children are everywhere. Besides, don't we all think our children are beautiful?

Good luck to you whatever you decide to do.