Baby and Child Modeling Information

Child Modeling Scams and How to Avoid Being Burned

If you decide to get your child into the modeling business you will need to be careful of child modeling scams. Below are six tips you will find helpful to keep you and your little rising star from being scammed.

1. Check the license. Modeling and Talent Agencies should be licensed. Make sure the license number is on any receipt you get and ask about their licensing if you do not see that license prominently displayed in their office.
2. Know what to expect. There is a difference between agencies and manager. Learn the difference. An agency attempts to find employment for models and actors but they do not manage the clients business. In most cases an agency’s fees are limited to 10% of the client’s income. The manager does not necessarily find jobs for clients; they advise the client on different aspects of their work such as appearance, style and the direction of their career.
3. Do not pay an up front fee! Reputable, legitimate model and/or talent agents and managers do not require or request up front fees. Avoid agents who require you to pay up front service fees or require photographs by a specific photographer; and advertise in newspapers, or on buses and subways. Up front fees are illegal in most states. (Check your state’s laws). Do not use an any agency or agent who requests up front fees for photo shoots or any other type of service.
4. Know an agent’s limits. They cannot promise you work on a particular assignment. They can only send you to the auditions and “market” you. Beware of an agency or manger who promises you work.
5. Always check out an prospective agency and/or manager. Are they licensed? If not, forget it. Move on and find a representative who abides by the law.
6. Ask for references. Do not — I repeat — do not sign anything until you get references from others whom the agent has represented in the past and you have thoroughly checked them out.

If you will take the time to check out the agent, the agencies and anyone else who is offering you that pie in the sky you will have a better chance of having a happy and productive journey in your pursuit of the child modeling business. Otherwise your life will be fraught with attorneys and court battles as you try to win against scam artists in the child modeling business.

Child Modeling Articles | RSS 2.0 | Comment it , or trackback this post.