Baby and Child Modeling

Sometimes the Modeling Business World Can Be Intimidating …

Getting into modeling can be tough but your child can make some great headway with these easy tips:

1. Give your child the power of No. This is the first and foremost rule to modeling, especially for children. Let them know that if they ever get into a situation where they feel uncomfortable, they can say No. Give them the support and confidence to remove themselves from a situation where they do not feel comfortable. Modeling is fun and for the most part great for kids, but there are those few who exploit children and manipulate them to do things that are not on the up and up. Give your kids the power to remove themselves from such situations should the need arise.

2. Don’t pay agencies to see you. You should not have to pay an agency to see you. You often see this racket in local agencies, but if an agency is interested in your child and they are legitimate, they will not ask you to pay. If an agency wants you to pay a fee up front, be wary.

3. You don’t need a professional book to get started. Legitimate, professional agencies will take, and actually prefer, snapshots of your child to evaluate them. You do not need to run out and purchase a portfolio (book) for your child. You can just as easily take the photos yourself and send them in.

4. Don’t turn your nose up at non paying jobs. Don’t discount a job just because it does not pay. Evaluate it for its exposure potential. If the potential is there, go for it. In the beginning, your child will probably not get paid every time, but with each no pay show they will gain more experience, confidence and exposure.

5. Local gigs are a great place to start. Local stores and boutiques are a very good place to start your child in modeling. Do a little footwork and pound on a few doors to find places that will use your child in their print ads, TV commercials and fashion shows. Watch local advertising in both print and TV to pinpoint businesses that advertise locally, then target them.

6. Modeling classes are not always necessary. If you are going with a professional agency, they will train your child if your child needs it. You should not have to put out money for modeling classes to get with an agency. If you choose to enroll your child in modeling classes, they can be a good way to show you how to help your child get in the business as well as teach them basic techniques.

7. Enter photo contests. Photo contests are a great way for your child to get exposure. Look for child photo contests and enter. Sometimes the contests will forward photos to agents and doors can be opened in that way. If nothing else, it can be a lot of fun.

8. Beauty pageants can be a doorway to more. Moms who have their children in beauty pageants often know of other modeling opportunities so it would do you good to get your child involved in a few pageants. Also, pageants can offer your child scholarships as well as great experience.9. Don’t be a stage mom. While you should protect your child’s welfare, an overbearing stage mom can actually hinder a child’s modeling career. Let the photographers, directors and others do their work while you stand by and observe, watching over your child so that everyone acts in your child’s best interest. But getting in the way and trying to take over can kill you child’s career before it ever gets started.

10. Don’t take it too seriously. Most of all, have fun. Some people are cut out for modeling and some aren’t. Many children dabble in modeling and never go anywhere with it. In fact, it is a very small percentage of kids who actually “make it.” So just get in there, have fun and make it fun for your child.