Child modeling or photo contests

[heath dog]

I was wondering if anyone on here had any experience with sending their child's photo in to a modeling agency or contest and where to start. I am not into the pageants (no offense at all please) and I don't want to get flame for this. I am not trying to live through my child I just keep getting told that I need to send his pictures to someone because they think he is so beautiful. I think he is too but I would think that if he had horns growing out of his head and chin. hehe...

Just wanted some ideas.... thanks

 

[Feralpeg]

There is nothing wrong with wanting to show off your child, just be careful. Don't let them post any personal information about your child. I'm not familiar with contests, however I have done a lot of research on talent agents. If you want your child to do print work, you will need an agent. Make sure that it is a reputable agent. You should never have to pay anything up front! If your child is little, you don't even need professional photographs. Just send in something cute you've taken. Little kids change so fast that even agents don't require professional headshots. Good luck!

 

[Cindy B]

I was approached a few times about my son.. my former neighbor did some local modeling and gave me a number of her agency.

I called the agency, and due to his size (HUGE for his size) they needed him to "level out" size wise.

I found from another neighbor a list of agencies in my new area. I made an appointment with one, and got nothing. Another agency I met with and they signed him.

We heard nothing for a long time, and lo and behold, he got a gig. He got one gig, a NY Times magazine photo . He did get paid but it was almost a month after the fact.

We had to go to NYC twice in a three day period!

 

[goodstarr]

There are plenty of legit agencies for children out there. And no, you dopn't have to be living through your kids if you let them do some modeling or commercials. I think the best time to have kids do print or commercials is when they're very young-before they know what it's all about. Everyone likes to see a cute kid on the front of a magazine or Pampers ad, but then they criticize the parents who allow their children to make those same ads. I don't think it's any more harmful than putting their child in competitive sports-as long as the parents act like adults! That being said, DH and I are actors and have allowed our DD-7 to do some modeling. She has done print work and a few commercials. She hasn't done anything in about 2 1/2 years, and that's fine with us. Invest the money right, and college is almost paid for Anyway, here are a list of some agencies in WI that are legit-
Jennifer's Talent Unlimited, Lori Lins Ltd. and Arlene Wilson Management. All in Milwaukee. (Am I allowed to print that? Oh, well) PM me if I'm not.

 

[heath dog]

You guys are great!! Thank you so much for the words of wisdom and help that you provided. I will look into those and take a serious consideration in it.

 

[Kristi1357]

I was thinking of trying to get my DS into some sort child modeling. Of course I think he's the cutest baby ever - but I think he might be good at it since he's such an easy-going, happy, smiley baby. It would be a great way for us to put away college money for him. And since DH is a SAHD/freelance tv tech. - he has alot of time off to take the baby to auditions and such.

Does anyone know where I could start is this process in the Boston/NH area? I have no idea how this all works! Should I just send snapshots of him (7 mos. old now) to Boston and Manchester, NH agencies?

TIA!
Kristi

 

[Christine]

I can't give advice as far as the good places to go, I just wanted to comment and *warn* parents of the agencies out there who will promise to get your child work, yet want YOU to pay money. DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT get involved with them. They are just a scam. A woman at my office has two beautiful children and she badly wants them to do some modeling. She went to a few of these "modeling" calls in this area and got hooked up with an agency that will "groom" her kids for her to be models/performers. She just has to pay thousands of dollars (which she did). She got nothing from it but a nice set of pictures. If your child is model quality, they will come for you--don't pay any money!

 

[BabyTigger99]

My 4 year old DS is with a local agency in our area. He has been with them since just before he turned 3. I looked in the phone book and found their name, also, I looked at their website (if you go to firstchoicetalent.com and click on "children" he is the first little blond haired boy!). They held auditions once a month. Took him to the audition (don't ask me what happened, only parents of children under 2 could go in with them) and we got a letter in the mail about a month later saying that he was accepted. He doesn't do a whole lot of work, about 5 auditions and he has his third job this Thursday, but if it can offset the cost of college, we will take it! He enjoys doing it, and when he doesn't, it will be time to be done. The only fees we paid was a $15 seminar fee when he was first accepted, and $20 a year for his pic and stats to be in the talent book that is sent out to their customers.

 

[goodstarr]

Kristi, Christine is absolutely correct about scam agencies out there. No agency should charge you money for allowing them to represent your child. Small fees for placing your child in a talent book or on their website for prospective clients is the norm. Children under 4-5 years of age do not need professional photos since they are still changing rapidly. Snapshots of your child (close-up as well as full body) are sufficient. After 5 years of age, professional headshots can be done at various agencies for around $150-$300. The agent representing the child gets a commission (usually 10-20%) only on bookings that the child gets.
Auditions for babies are fairly simple-you're given a time frame to go (usually within a 2-4 hour window), and they spend very little time with the young ones (they know how antsy they can be). They just want to see how their personality is and how they are with strangers (sep. anxiety). For parents who are free during the day, it is not very hard to do. I don't see it to be any different than taking a child to ballet on Monday, soccer on Tuesday and Thursday, Karate on Friday and Girl Scouts on Saturday. As long as the parent keeps a level head (and parents can lose their head in any situation-not just modeling) it's a good way to make money to invest in a child's future. That being said, here is a list of agencies in the Boston area (I do not know of any legit agencies in the NH area):
Maggie Inc., and Model Club Inc. I hope this helps (and I hope we don't get flamed )

P.S. Look up these agencies in the phone book or online, call them and ask what their procedure is for new talent and they will take it from there)

 

[TammiMcMan]

We got involved with this when our DD was 7 years old. She interviewed with a local agency and did some runway work at the Rockingham Mall and also some photo shoots . She really enjoyed it and we have a beautiful portfolio of her, but it did start getting expensive and very time consuming. The pay she received didn't come close to covering our expenses and time lost from work to take her to the tryouts and jobs. We were involved with the Cinderella Modelling Agency, which I think is still located in Manchester, NH. They offered a variety of classes also, like makeup application, public speaking, etc... She's 19 now and has no regrets about doing it, but it was a lot of work for my husband and myself.

 

[Kristi1357]

Thanks for the info goodstarr & tammimcman. I think this is something I will probably look into. Since DH is home days with DS, it would be easy for them to go to auditions and such - no time missed from work.

Thanks again!
Kristi

 

[CEDmom]

I just wanted to say again what many others have said about watching for scams and not shelling out any $. I was approached by someone for an agency while out with DD. The woman gave me her card and asked me to call to set up an interview. The agency's name was VERY similar to an established/reputable NYC agency so it sounding interesting. I wasn't gaga over the idea since DD can be shy and willful at times but I thought it might be worth checking out. Well DH researched this agency online and found it was different than the NYC one and also had a questionable history. We decided not to pursue it farther.

I just wanted to add that many reputable companies have contests which might be an option as well. I know Johnson and Johnson is running one now for their Simply Stuffy product. They are offering $1000 and the option to use your child's picture on it's product.

Good luck.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Kristi,

That's exactly how it started for us. I worked the first shift and my husband worked the second shift, so he was able to take our DD to the casting calls and shoots. Unfortunately, I don't remember what the start up cost was for us, but we did have to pay for the portfolio and of course that did include some new clothes expense. As I said, it does take up a lot of your time and just verify that the company you choose is reputable.

Tammi