Child Modeling

We were originally through Murphy Management, didn't like their style.. they accept several children and charge you to model for them. We quickly moved my daughter to Ryan Artists, which doesn't usually take children under the age of five. However when they saw my daughters pictures they wanted her (not to toot my own horn either) So when my son was born they wanted him as well. You can always submit pictures and see if they want him. Ryan says on their website that they don't take any children under five but it is worth a shot! we love them!! they know us by name and it isn't a baby factory. My kids have worked a lot, you have to be ready to go at the drop of a hat! my daughter absolutly loves it. My son loves it too. We have so much fun!!

My daughter has done a website, and tons of Meryvns, and a fred meyer ad.
My son has done a commercial, and a fredmeyer and a print for a hospital ad. and a hannah anderson ad.

They've made a bit of money, and we've put it away in the their savings accounts.

We love it. You don't work that often but when you do it's really fun!!

You cannot approach stores they only work with agencys.

So, good luck. email me with any questions.

3 moms found this helpful

Child modeling is a tough job for the parent and the child. If an ad agency wants you and you want to try this it will answer your questions. I wouldn't pay to have my child become a model, that's for sure. If your child is school age (5?) plan on having them miss a lot of classes, instructional time...this is very bad. Expect a lot of disappointments when called for a shoot and then rejected, have it rescheduled or cancelled. I believe a lot of children are candidates for modeling, but in the long run, what I have experienced I would run the other way. Take zillions of photos of your darlings, let them model for you. Find another less stressful way to start their college funds. I wish I could be more positive but after 30 years of exposure and experience I cannot give you what you would like to hear.
If you truly believe you can handle this project by all means go for it and perhaps you will find it is perfect for you. Just remember you and your child must put up with a lot of competition and demands and that might put a chill on the whole idea.
Best of luck to you.

2 moms found this helpful

We've had our son signed up with the only agency in Portland that takes babies, Murphy Management. We had to pay $300 to sign him up, and so far he's had 2 shoots for Mervyn's (totalling $104 profit). We didn't want to pay, but it was our only option. We're not very happy with them, because they just changed their policy on stat sheets, and now want a bunch more $ from us to continue to use them. We feel they're trying to make their $ off the talent, not their clients, and we don't agree with it, so we haven't kept things current. If your child is older I think Ryan Artists represents children, but I don't know if they charge or not.

2 moms found this helpful

Hi. I don't have any personal experience with children and modeling yet but I get the exact same responses about my 2 1/2 yr. old daughter. EVERYWHERE we go! Which I don't think is a bad thing. Some of are just blessed with beautiful children. :-)

Anyway, I'm taking my daughter to an open casting call put on by The Great American Model & Talent Search. Check out their website: www.gamtsonline.com. The casting call is Tuesday, August 21 from 2 pm to 8 pm at the Salem Conference Center. It is free. Mind you I am not personally promoting ANY of this. But from what I can see they seem to be reputable. I figured I'd take my daughter and go from there! Oh, and their website has some good general advice about children and modeling.

Hope this is helpful!
Good luck with your beautiful babies!

SO WE WENT TO THE CASTING CALL AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED!!!

We filled out some brief paperwork with basic contact information and information about childs size, hair color, etc. Then we just gave our paperwork to a casting director - this one apparently was relatively well known - and then they videotape the kids briefly. Smaller kids are held by their parents and the parents say their name and age to the camera. Then the camera person makes funny faces to try to get the kids to smile, etc. Which worked marvelously on my daughter. If kids are older they can say whatever they want into the camera.
Then they contact you within 2 weeks if they think your child is "marketable." He also stressed that even if they don't contact you it doesn't necessarily mean the child isn't model material and not to let it get ya down.

So I guess we'll see if they contact us. It was pretty brief and professional.
I'll update more if we get contacted. I'm not going to actively pursue anything else in the meantime.

2 moms found this helpful

Hi H.,

I was on Craigslist one day and I ran accross a posting for child models in the Eugene area for a local photographer. She was really great. She asked if we would be interested in doing some modeling for her for an advertising shoot she was doing. One of my friends ended up also coming and doing pictures. She first did test shots and then we came back later and did shots together with my friends daughter and one other girl. The girls all worked well together. WE didn't get any money for it and we signed a form because they were under 18 for that but she gave us free pictures for it and told us when it would be in the newspaper. I think it was a great starting point for my daughter who is 4 now and was 3 at the time. She didn't charge any money and she was a great person to deal with.. I hope you get some luck trying to get ur child into modeling if that is what you really want to do and hope that something good could come out of it. K.

1 mom found this helpful

We were told the same thing about our daughter when she was a baby/toddler (she is 17 now!) If you are uncomfortable at any time RUN. If they ask you for money up front RUN. If they want you to leave the room while shooting RUN. Don't push the kids, as long as it is fun for you and them then continue, once it becomes stops being that way stop. This was told to us by a true modeling agent.

I hope that helps.

I have been told about my son as well. I have thought about it, but I haven't followed through with sending in any pictures or anything. For me - my time is precious (I work a lot)and I get sidetracked easily. But, anyway, I think if you are serious about trying to get your children into modeling....I would make phone calls to some of the department stores. Like JC Penney, Target, Macy's, Kohls, and even Wal-Mart. Find a 1800#, and see if there is anyway to find out who the agency that helps create the whole ad and submits the photos of the children and adults. Also, call other model agencies and find out what their requirements are. Then that would be a great start. Also, sometimes on the radio they will announce about having an Agency be at a certain place and you can take your children there and then they will see them in person along with the photo. Or enter your children in a photo contest too like at Wal-Mart and Sears. Ok - well, I hope that this helps. Good luck.

One thing to think about is how the child will do infront of a camera. Your cammera is diffrent then the professionals, and they can be scared, and unwilling to listen to another adult they don't know. It is not just looks but temperment too. Also you will need headshots to keep in a portfolio, and with little ones you will need to get them more often gets kinda pricey. Its a great idea to try it out, but don't be upset if your child doesn't respond well to it. Might just wait a few years and try again. Good luck, sounds fun!

When my granddaughter was a baby a woman from a child modeling agency stopped and gave her mother a card and suggested that she bring her in. She didn't follow thru but from that experience I would suggest that you call agencies and ask how to get started.

H.,

My husband thought it would be a nice idea to have are little girl model and use the money to help out with college later, but we went to Murphy (ABC Modeling Agency) and after raving about all the special VIP celebrity clients that have their children modeling, they wanted the $$$. We said no way! I really don't want my child LEARNING how to model. there's other things for her to do, I mean really, she's a baby. I think their is talk going around that mom's should have their kids in magazine like the celebrities.

So anyway, I agree with the other moms, if they want you to pay a bunch of money forget it. If you want your child to learn how to model and pay them for it, wait until their older and at least you can get your money's worth.

That's my two cents!
G.

I think I went to ABC modeling, they represent kids. I found it too steep for me & too much of a hassle. Good luck.

Hi! H.,
Sounds like you have received some great advice.
I know a gal who works as a model agent in Los Angeles-- she reps some big names and has said it's a ton of "hurry up and wait" and you definately do not make much money, unless you start working in film or TV-- that being said, she has always told parents to be sure as to "why" exactly you are interested in modeling the child in the first place-- once clear about that-- pursue it or not. Never, never, never PAY for your child to model. If they ask for money, they are probably a school and will not guarantee work.
Good Luck!

H.,

I'm sorry I can't help you out with this. However I have wondered the same thing. If you get any help please let me know. Thank You.

A.

I would think that the best thing for you to do is to just let it happen naturally. I think the cases where parents pay for a child's portfolio, or modeling "lessons" are just scams. It seems that the kids who actually have careers in modeling, that they were scouted out. So if it's meant to be, then it might just be that someone comes to you and inquires about your children.
Good-Luck!