Kansas & Modeling

Be VERY careful and wary. If anyone ask you for $ it is a scam. You Do NOT need professional shots taken.

I've modeled most of my life. It is a JOB and it is brutal. It would be hard for a 7 yr old because there is a lot of rejection and that = not good for a child who is not very secure with themselves. SO many moms believe their child is the next big star and beautiful... agencies see tons of children and yours is not always the one for the job they are looking for.

The job itself is very demanding... missing school for casting calls, small jobs, etc.

Just think hard before you jump in with both feet. Remember that it is a job and any $$ your child makes should go straight to a fund for your child.. they are the one working.

My daughter also models but it is limited. She models when she is called upon... we do no casting calls, etc. I am not going to submit her to that. I don't even do casting calls... I only model for people who know me and book me ahead of time. Again.. it is ruthless and brutal. You must have a thick skin and be able to accept a lot of rejection. That is hard enough for an adult, much less a child.

Real-life modeling is not "fun." My grandson had a modeling fling for a year. His parents invested a fair amount in a photographic portfolio, obtained an agent, got a couple of national-level jobs.

But there's nothing warm, sweet or nurturing about the job – models, even tender kids, get herded into waiting areas with little to do but stand around restlessly until their shoot is set up, then they hand the parent a check (an absurdly small check considering the transportation and wasted time and sudden calls that require rearranging all plans for the day).

Rejection is a big feature in the business, and those making the decisions don't have the time, patience or tact to be gentle. Models have to acquire a thick skin, quickly. Unless a model suddenly becomes the "in" face of the moment, there's no glamor, wealth or fame, other than bragging rights and a temporary thrill for the parents.

My daughter was/is told often how stunning her child is and that he should have a future in modeling. She wisely decided, after finding out that it's just a massively competitive rat race, not to push her son in that direction. He can have a normal childhood and grow up to be a good-looking architect or scientist or journalist or teacher or president or computer programmer or whatever life holds for him.

I agree that you should exercise extreme caution, especially for a girl. I'm sure she's very beautiful, but there's so much more to life than looks.

I don't know of any agencies per se, but I do hope you approach this with extreme caution. Modeling=body image and seven is soooo young.

While I do have my own opinions, you did ask for agencies in KC.
Patricia Stevens has been here since the 40's. And the management is still all part of the same family. I know they have a good reputation at least here in town.

We were called by Hoffman a few years ago about my daughter. While it is something we had discussed, it just didn't sound right. When they couldn't tell me who exactly recommended her, I figured it was just a cold call and it kinda creeped me out. Hoffman, I think is a national company with a branch here.