How to Put My 18 Month Old Son into Modeling or Commercials,

I've been in the modeling industry most of my life modeling on runway and ad shoots. It is not all fun and games. It is WORK.

First of all you NEVER pay. If someone wants $$ from you RUN ......IT IS A SCAM.

True legit agencies will let you know if they are interested. A simple snapshot submitted to them is all you need. Portfolios come later.

Be ready to accept a lot of hard, tough rejection. It is not an easy job. You are rejected many more times than you are hired for a job. You will be called to casting auditions. These may not be the best timing for you but if you don't go, you don't have a chance. They may be in the middle of nap time, temper tantrums, etc. Some of the "stage moms" are horrid.

My daughter expressed interest because I do it. I let her take a job in LA for a week. At the end of the week, she said to me...this is not me mom.. and she NEVER did it again.

If your child is not interested STOP. DO NOT do this for yourself. If you do make any $$, put it in a fund for your child...he is the one working.

There are tons of children/babies trying to get into this business because their moms think they are the best, brightest, prettiest. Just be ready for harsh criticism, lots of competition and patience.

Best wishes to you.

I would just say be very careful. There are a lot of 'talent' or modeling 'agencies' out there who will take your money and you won't get much out of it. Be aware that if you are serious about this, it isn't enough for your son just to be cute or funny- he has to have the temperment for it!

Can he wait around for hours at a time on an audition or for a shoot and still be as happy and cheerful as he was at the start of the process? Is he self-entertaining- will he play with a toy or board book while you wait around, or does he require a lot of stimulation all the time? Does he mind strangers, bright lights, changing clothing a lot, etc?

If he is the kind of toddler who gets cranky sitting around, this may not be for him.

Also keep in mind that YOU will have to give up all your time to do this. You will have to drive him to these auditions and sit there all afternoon waiting for your turn to be called. You will have to pay for gas, photos, etc.

I'm not saying don't do this- obviously some people do and can be successful at it. Just know what you are getting into and make sure it really is something that your child would be good at and enjoy.

I would say most kids get their start with personality before looks and smarts. If they have all of the above... Awesome.

I was told time and time again to get my daughter into modeling. That she's the most gorgeous girl... BUT what most people that say those things don't get, she hates being the center of attention. She cries when people give her their undivided attention. At her 1st bday, when people started singing to her, I had to stop them, take her in the house to calm her down and then instruct them not to do or say anything before I brought her back out to eat her cake. She tells people all the time to stop looking at her. Even now at 7.

Then... there are kids like my 2yr old son. He LOVES when you praise him. He LOVES when people, strangers or family, talk to him, wink at him... Anything. Any attention. He craves it. That is his reward for everything. Ignoring a behavior is his punishment.

You just have to know what kind of kid yours is. And as a previous poster had said... You only need some home photos to start.

EDITED TO ADD: My daughter is extremely active. She doesn't have the patience to wait or get rejected. She has trouble playing alone for any reason.

My son, plays for hours by himself... Getting mad at my husband or I when either of us try to join him. He can go without a nap and still be happy as a clam... If he's getting the attention.

Good luck and hopefully your son has a personality like my little man.

I actually sent out to a local talent agency for a packet when I was looking into this for my son. Like others have mentioned, anyone that asks you for $$ up front is running a SCAM and is not legit.

The talent agency sent a very helpful packet with FAQs, and based on what I saw in there, I decided it was not for us. You'll see a lot of it listed below.

One of the things to consider is that depending on what you're looking for your son to do, you may have to join SAG, which is about $1500/yr, before you can even be potentially hired for a job. Something to consider. I could not afford to do that and have, of course, no guarantee of work. Nor could I take the time off of work to go as needed to every audition we could find. It really is a full time job and that's without trying to parent your child through the process.

Just food for thought.
I would send out for information from local talent agencies, read through what they send you and then consider if it's something you still want to persue.

In most cases, you get head shots done and go to different agencies that work with children. It is up to them if they take on your child. It is alot of work. Going to auditions at the last moment, traveling, and such. I do not have my child involved in it, but my grandma is very involved in this field. HTH

you can start by entering him into local contests. then move up from there. sometimes they prize may be a free photo shoot with a reputable photographer. i entered my son into quite a few and he won all of them but that road is a very time consuming one. i was a single mother at the time and didn't want to quit my guaranteed job for a road less traveled by me and end up with no job because there is alot of competition out here. so if you have the time to do it by all means try it out, you just might have a star on your hands. GOOD LUCK!