Baby Photo Contest

From the sound of it, it sounds too good to be true. And when something sounds "too good to be true", it usually is! Also the fact that you have to pay a fee to enter a contest sounds fishy. I would be cautious about this. Most legit contests (especially a baby photo one) do not require any fees to enter. It might be a scam or an identity theft tactic. I wouldn't do it.

Hi L., I got this same offer from American Baby. I did not do it, because I think it is a scam. You should not have to pay for something to win it. My email is now full of junk, and they still send me emails occasionally that "a panel of judges" selected my baby for various marketing scams. HTH's

i did this also...i got emails about the book trying to get me to buy it for years. i don't think its for real, only cuz when i didn't respond, i got emails for so long, that it seemed silly that they would still be interested in a photo that was sent in so long ago...i never paid the membership fee, or bought the book so i don't know for sure...but that was my experience...

L.:

They are all scams and gimmicks. If you enter to win then you shouldn't have to pay to receive the prize. Don't send any money to an agency or contest. They should be offering you money to use your son's likeness in any advertisement or photo layout. Always be leary of anything that says PAY US IN ORDER TO WIN or PAY FOR SOMETHING that is supposed to be a contest or freebie. Be careful in this hard economic time not to get taken. This is advice I got from a reputable scouting agency when my daugher (15 today) was doing baby photo contest and talent agency listings.

Good Luck

Love and blessings,
N.

I can't speak to this particular publishing come-on, but as a teacher, I have received, over the years, a notice that I "have the opportunity to nominate outstanding students for a National Academy of Science award, and the students who are selected will be included in a "yearbook published annually". I took it seriously the first time I received it, thinking, "what an honor for these students!", and turned in their names in the required manner. Then, as the school year played out, I found out that the company had found ways of ferreting out the addresses and contact information (I hadn't given that kind of information to the publishing company), and they began to send pitches to the grandparents and parents, emphasizing how important it was for them to buy a copy of this yearbook (at about $80. per volume) for a keepsake for their child for coming years, as well as order keychains, mugs, wall-hangings, and other momentos with the award company logo onto it. Some of those parents and grandparents could ill-afford an $80 yearbook with their child's name in it, and I came to feel this was an elaborate exploitive, self-serving sales-pitch, (not at all what was portrayed in the original flyer.) I started putting those things into the trash. They were persistent, I must say, and continued to send multiple notices of deadlines.
This modeling thing could be like that. Just watch out, and maybe check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are complaints.

No, sounds like a gimmick. If agencies want you they will let you know. You should spend NO money for anything.

I grew up modeling and my daughter does some as well. Don't get scammed.....

A common thing.....about 4 yrs ago my daughter was "spotted" at a local mall. We were asked to attend a NO $$ obligation to come to a location the next day for a possible contract. Since there was no $$ I did it. BUT.....of course she was told they loved her, blah blah and they wanted her to desperately come to CA for a special interview with an agent. The trick....hook mom and dad. They were not willing to pay for any expenses. Of course we walked away....

She did end up in CA with another source but we were BOTH compensated for our time and all expenses were paid in full.

Be careful!! They prey on parents with cute kids.

Absolutely a scam. Do not do it. A reputable contest/agent will not ask for a fee up front.

DON"T DO IT! ITS a SCAM!! I have been waiting a year to get my book,with my sons photo in it. THey have to have enough photos to fill the book and then get it published. EVERYONE "wins" They just want your money. Hopefully,I will one day get the book I ordered,but don't think I will. I can no longer get in touch with the company on-line and the number I got off the website goes to a full mailbox!! LESSON LEARNED. Cost me $75.00

I have always been told by modeling agencies that if you have to pay up front, then its a scam. A true modeling agency like KD studio or whatever else is out there you dont have to pay up front. I personally would not do it if I were you.

It sounds like a scam to me! I'm sure your son is adorable, but others will use that to get money from you! $20 doesn't seem like much, but multiply that by hundreds if not thousands of unsuspecting moms and you've got a GREAT income! If you want him to be considered for modeling, send some pics to an agency directly.

it's the baby version of those 'who's who' books where you have a paragraph about your child in a thick book and you buy the book for big $$.

Don't do it!
My little girl won the best photo at a place in the mall. THEY gave me free things and sent her picture on to a state level. When you win something, it is usually free otherwise you really didn't win anything, you "practically" are paying to win.
Don't pay!

Gimmick! I am a pro photog, and this kind of things is a scam to get you to fork over money.

Never fork out money.

Unless it is nominal AND has a very very good reputation.

I think your instincts are probably right. Sounds like a big 'ol scam to me too!

I get the same exact emails. It is just a scam to get money. They will put your child in a book but they will also put anyone else that pays baby in the book. Has nothing to do with how cute they are.

Run, run, run in the opposite direction. $75.00 for the book, $20 for the entry fee, what can be next? This is financially beneficial for them. And why would you want your baby's picture "out there". Too much risk and I fail to see the benefit to you.

its a scam to get you to buy the book etc. they will put your photo in a book but you pay every step of the way for it all. i did the same thing years ago, when i found what I thought was a legit photo contest and was picked as a "winner". i was so excited until i told my husband and he informed me that it was a scam and sure enough they wanted big $$ to put the photo in, to get the "award" metal, then came up a convention/dinner thing where I could have my winning photo displayed---again for $$$$$$ and they just kept emailing for years and every one had something I had to pay for.....a scam. I was so sad! LOLOL When you look at the other photos that are "winners" too you start to realize that anyone can win. LOL it was a mix of really good shots and just every day photos in the kitchen kind of thing!!! LOL don't do it. if you want to spend your money---make yourself a book of photos online, have a photoshoot with a great photographer and splurge on prints, do that sort of thing.

I entered a "contest" like that with a cutest baby photo and I am still getting spam email from it! Every day I have another thing that I have to remove myself from the mailing list in my email inbox. I'll never do that again.

L.,

Typically if you are asked for money it's a scam. Same with "talent" agencies.

this is just a gimmic. my 3 yr. old was chosen many many times to win the 25,000 dollars, buy ONLY if sent them money first. if they want your child to win that bad, then there should be no money out from you. i even sent in our puppies photo and guess what! he was selected to win the 25,000 dollars also.

Hi L.,

this is just a scam to get you to buy a book or photos. They sell these "books" at all stages too "outstanding high school student" outstanding teenager, outstanding college graduates.