Child Models...Yes or No???

[gypsydoodlebug]

I once dated someone who owned an ad agency, and he "used" me in a couple of print ads and radio ads. I just did it as a favor.

DD also appeared in a print ad for a local department store when she was little; she was at a gathering and the head of advertising met her and asked her to come in.

She really didn't enjoy it (now, turn this way, put your arm that way, etc) so she never did it again.

One of her friends was a local model, but was relatively low key-definitely not a diva, and school/sports/friends took priority; modelling was a hobby. Another young lady she danced with was into the model/actress/singer-dancer mode. What a little diva with a stage mother to match Gypsy's.

But I'm not a stage mom...at least I don't think I'm being one...Do stage moms wear Crocs??

 

[BabyTigger99]

My son has been modeling since the age of about 3. He is with a local agency. We pay $20 a year to have him listed with them. For his pictures, I just take him to Sears and get the pictures done (just as good as professional pictures, and I get a discount from working there). We don't push the issue. If they have something for him, if it works into our schedule, we will take it, if not, we pass on it. He has only done one shot in the last year or so, because of his size (they tend to have ceratin sizes they use a lot). That ad did come out this past Saturday. He is in the picture with the two girls in the upper left hand corner of the page.

http://www.fleetfarm.com/weekly_ad/?p=5#ad

We have had nothing but good experiences with it. Will he do it forever, probably not. Does he enjoy doing it? Sure, especially when we let him spend a bit of his money. Has it scared him for life? Never!

 

[D L and K's Mom]

DD did some modeling when she was about 3. She did a few print ads for some local stores and magazines. She also did some "modeling" for a few wedding shows modeling the flower girl dresses.She just loved all the attention. When she was about 4 she was working on a TV commercial for a health care agency. She was supposed to sit on the older gentlemans lap and say,"I love you Grandpa". NOPE, no way she just was not going to do it. "He isn't my grandpa. You told me not to lie etc......"she just would not do it. We were horrified at the time but now it is funny. We stopped then. I never thought that this would be a long term career. We went with it as long as she enjoyed it. She never had to wear anything "grown up". The only time she had to wear any makeup was for photos and it was just to make her features stand out. She always looked her age. She loved it and all the attention she got. We never had to put out any $ for headshots etc.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

My son has been modeling since the age of about 3. He is with a local agency. We pay $20 a year to have him listed with them. For his pictures, I just take him to Sears and get the pictures done (just as good as professional pictures, and I get a discount from working there). We don't push the issue. If they have something for him, if it works into our schedule, we will take it, if not, we pass on it. He has only done one shot in the last year or so, because of his size (they tend to have ceratin sizes they use a lot). That ad did come out this past Saturday. He is in the picture with the two girls in the upper left hand corner of the page.

http://www.fleetfarm.com/weekly_ad/?p=5#ad

We have had nothing but good experiences with it. Will he do it forever, probably not. Does he enjoy doing it? Sure, especially when we let him spend a bit of his money. Has it scared him for life? Never!

Awesome. I think this is what we are going for here. I didn't know we could use Sears style photos since they own the rights, but I guess that's just reprinting them.

 

[jennobrn01]

I have been told frequently to enter my children in modeling/photography contests. I have been tempted but have avoided it for these reasons.

1. I am wary giving my child exposure to the masses. There are too many freako's out there.

2. My child does not have the capacity to make this decision for himself. He would not understand the implications. Therefore, it is a purely selfish decision.

3. The issues it would cause between siblings. They do not need their mom creating for them circumstances that would cause strife and tension.

4. I want my children to be children. I strive to provide for them a happy, stable, normal as possible childhood.