Looking to Get My 7 Month in Print Ads - She's Absolutely Adorable

Find a talent/ modeling scout. A good friend of mine IS actually one: Sauviz is his name and he works for a reputable company that is beginning to expand their children and teen models. They provide photos and everything at their, and I believe work on only commission so it won't cost tooo much.! His name: Saw--veeez (Sauviz) a real sweet honest genuine person.
###-###-####. Call him.

Hi, H.,

I have two things to contribute here:

1. I am a photographer and I would love to talk to you about what you would like for your girl's portfolios. You can visit my website at www.umberstudio.com. I have experience as a child model and I know how to shoot a good portfolio.

2. This will seem contridictory to point one, but I would like to share my experience with you. I was a child model, discovered in a mall at the age of 13. I worked until I was 17, mostly on the runway. This was great for my ego, it made me instantly popular in jr. high school (for what that's worth) and it made me a star to my mom. She wanted me to do it, I really wasn't into it. I didn't grow to be tall, though I was always very thin. I stopped growing about the time I was discovered. There was a lot of pressure on me to be taller, which I obviously couldn't accomplish, so the pressure became "be thinner, look taller" which is insane. I graduated from high school weighing well under 100 lbs and was told at 18 that I had not developed correctly for lack of good nutrition and I would never be able to have children. I have miscarried several times, which maybe I would have anyway, and I do have two healthy children, but who knows? Maybe I would have been taller (I'm 5'2"). Maybe I would have had babies instead of miscarraiges. I'll never know. The honest truth is this: my relationship with my mother suffered greatly because I felt that she should have protected me from this. My eating issues were self imposed to a large extent because I felt like it was a way to be in control of my life when so much was being pushed on me.

Maybe I would feel differently if this had all been something I really wanted. I was kind of indifferent to the profession.

My point in saying all of this is NOT to say that your daughters should not pursue modeling. They might have a totally different experience than me. I'm just putting the perspective out there. Beware of what your girls are exposed to, what their carreer looks like if they don't grow "right" and the potential consequences both mental and physical.

It might be worthwile to talk to other girls who have done it. There might be a ton more positive expereinces out there than my own. Really, the experience had a lot of good points, too. I felt beautiful, despite the pressure on me to look differently than I did. That's worth a lot.

I wish you luck. Feel free to e-mail me at ____@____.com if you'd like to talk about it more.

One thing I would NOT recommend is putting your child into any of the "Sunburst" modeling contests you see advertised all of the time at the malls. When my oldest was about six months, I put her in a few categories in a Sunburst pageant. I had read somewhere that winning in some local contests would help kick-start a modeling career if I wanted her to have the chance at one. I know that I'm biased, of course, and I was bummed when my daughter didn't win any of the categories. However, it was the contestants that won that upset me. One of the other little girls in my daughter's age group won first place in two of the categories: "personality" and "eyes". She was a cute kid, but she was asleep in her mother's arms throughout the entire pageant, even during judging! How can a sleeping kid win for personality and eyes??? I can deal with my daughter losing, but after that it felt like the whole thing was a scam. It cost me $60 just to get her in, for nothing! Also, none of the judges were modeling/fashion experts. One was a board member of our local college and another was a local business owner. Respectable individuals, maybe; but what makes them qualified to judge a modeling contest?

My brother has been in many print ads and is a professional actor and comedian. When we had my first son, we looked at getting him into ads and sought his advice.

First, realize this should be a hobby. Take it all with a grain of salt because there is a ton of rejection, even for the most seasoned and well-known actor/model.

Second, get some great shots of her. Sure, professional shots are nice (Sears, Penneys, Walmart, etc), but so are impromptu snap shots. Get some close ups of her face and also a few of her full body. The agency we used (one of the biggest and well known in Texas) preferred to have more snapshots than professional shots. This was due to the ability to airbrush and touch up professional shots. AND, you can really see personality in a snapshot. We were blessed with having an "in" with this agent due to my brother and got a lot of great advice.

Third, keep a record of her measurements (including weight) and clothing sizes. Agencies want this information to help find her work that is appropriate for her size and to match her with what each company wants age/size and such.

Find a reputable agent. No fees will ever be required. There are many in the Dallas area (where my brother started his career prior to making his big move to CA). Make sure they deal in children (some agencies don't specialize in children and, thus, don't get calls from many companies). Send in her shots and wait. It can take quite a while to get a response.

Last, most people don't realize this, most children under the age of a year old are not models or actors. They are the directors child/grandchild, the adult model's child, someone on staff's child/grandchild/niece/nephew, etc. So the amount of real business for non-related children is minimum.

My brother's biggest piece of advice: when the child says they don't want to do it, it stops completely. No more casting calls, no more pictures, no more ads.

Hello H.!
My oldest daughter was into modeling swim suits, but I don't really know the best place for you to find reputable photographers right off hand for children! If you think your life is hectic with your 2 adorable children, your husband, and your pets, it will get even more hectic trying to keep up with photographers too! They demand a lot out of the children. I have 8 children living and 31 grand children who are adorable to me besides I teach kindergarten, preschool, and Sunday school. I see so much potential in every child I meet! To me they are all miracles of GOD! I'm so very happy for you, and I pray that you'll always have a great life with your family! I hope some body out there can help you! I did not have the help you were looking for, but I wanted to encourage to treasure your time with your family!
LOL in JESUS,
Sheryl J.