How to get your child into print modeling

Can Your Kid Be A Model And How?

To be chosen as a model, children should have a unique style.

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If you are interested in kids modeling careers, consider gathering information about the field to determine if it is the right one for your child.

If your child is confident before the camera and you believe they could take up some consignments to get started in a modeling and acting career, it’s a good idea to begin early. However, you may be confused about the journey and what it would take to make your child a great model.

Read this article to answer your queries about modeling careers for children, including how to prepare your child for modeling assignments, the chances of landing a job, and what to expect after signing up with an agency.

Can Your Child Be A Model?

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You can initiate your child into modeling only if they like it and are comfortable with it. Ask yourself if being a model is your child’s aspiration or yours.

• It is okay for your kid to do modeling as long as he or she is enjoying it and having fun. But if they are uncomfortable, call it quits.

• Remember that modeling for children is not a money-making venture, and it should not be a source of income to you or your family.

• As a parent, understand that modeling is not all about glamour and a pretty face. It takes hard work and patience for getting the first gig and then sustaining there. Therefore, analyze if your child is willing to take this additional burden along with their education.

• The most important thing is you should not compromise on your child’s needs and rights such as their education, playtime, and relaxation.

Let’s suppose that you and your child have ticked positive on all the above considerations, would that be enough? No, because you need to consider your convenience and availability as well.

Are You Ready For Your Child’s Modeling Assignments?

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Consider these points before you make a decision:

• You will have to undergo a lot of stress and workload, which will be in addition to your career workload.

• Sometimes you will need to keep yourself free for an entire day to take them for auditions, wait there for your turn and then drive back home.

• If your kid gets selected, it means more breaks from your job. You should be available whenever you get a call and not just during the weekends or in the evenings.

• You need to see if your work schedule is flexible enough to accommodate all these demands.

If you have planned all this and your child is interested too, then you can take a step towards modeling. The first step is to know the traits of a child model.

Related: 15 Calming Games And Activities For Children With Anxiety

What Makes A Good Child Model?

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Children do not have to be perfect to become a model. But here are some usual requirements:

1.  Agencies look for children with good features such as healthy skin, big and bright eyes, shiny hair and a smiling face.

2. Conventionally good-looking kids are in high demand. Children are selected depending on the type of cover or advertisement.

3. A “different” or unusual look might make your child unique. For example, young boys having long hair or an Asian child with green eyes or any other unconventional features could have an edge over others.

4. A child’s overall personality also matters. A fearless, happy and smiling kid is preferred to a kid who always needs their parents around.

Related: 19 Beautiful Smile Quotes For Your Children

5. The child needs to be friendly, outgoing and comfortable interacting with strangers as they have to meet photographers and baby wrangles. They should be okay with a crowd of other kids.

Point to consider

Building a strong social media presence can help kickstart your child’s modeling career. Massive engagement, following, and influence can give brands an idea about your child’s creative potential.

6. The aspiring model should be good at taking advice and instructions from new people during shoots. A shy child will not be able to enjoy all the attention and thrills that come with modeling, while a carefree child will not like to listen to others.

Child modeling is as competitive as the adult modeling profession, but getting work is not impossible.

Related: 10 Clothing Websites For Kids

What Are The Chances Of Your Kid Getting A Modeling Job?

Out of a 100 submissions, agency directors meet about seven to eight children and work at most with three of them.

Agencies that represent child models from birth to teenage receive several stacks of pictures and letters from parents and out of every day’s pile they generally meet two to three kids.

Your child’s chances of getting selected are high in the below cases:

• The kid fits into popular clothing sizes.

• You live in proximity to the agency’s office.

• You are a capable parent – not pushy, good in handling rejections, can reschedule your day within a short notice, etc.

Your chances could be high if you personally know somebody in the industry. They can guide you and maybe connect you with the right people. Ultimately, it depends on your perseverance and preparation.

How To Get Your Child Into Modeling?

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• Click some good quality photos of your little one. The photos need not have to be professionally shot. One headshot and two full body photographs should be enough to start with.

• Approach some genuine modeling agencies after proper research, and share your child’s photographs and details such as age, weight, and height.

• Share the profiles with multiple agencies. Then you have to wait for casting calls, also known as go-sees.

Point to consider

While the glitz and glam appears to be very charming, sometimes the modeling world can get overwhelming and emotionally taxing. So stand by your kid and prioritize their well-being more than anything.

• They will get back to you if they like the profile, and you will have to take your child for auditions.

• If your child gets selected in the audition, your agency will intimate you. After your kid is done with the work, the agency will cut 10 to 20% of the model’s pay.

• Remember that legitimate agencies never ask for money upfront. They only take their cut once your kid gets work. Be wary of such cheats who feed on the excitement of parents.
• Do not confuse between a model scout and an agency. A scout charges for clicking pictures of your child, which they eventually send to agencies. You can do this on your own.
• Your child may not be earning much from modeling as magazine and catalog shoots pay less. The rates are higher on television and movies. Sometimes, very prestigious magazines or companies pay less but provide a good exposure to your kid.

• Do not relocate to a new city or country for kick-starting your child’s modeling career as no agency can promise assignments. Alternatively, you can continue sending photos to modeling contests and competitions online.

• For modeling assignments, children often require to take leaves from school. Whenever your child takes a day off from school, keep the permission letter ready as most agencies will ask for it.

Your child may not get an assignment immediately after being selected by an agency. There is a process for that.

Related: 7 Most Common Reasons Kids Drop Out of School

What To Expect After Signing Up With An Agency?

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Here is what happens after signing up:

1. Go for auditions and go-sees: Your child may have to attend many cast calls before getting selected for their first assignment. These go-sees are usually tiring, and sometimes you may have to stand in a queue with more than 200 children waiting for their turn.
2. Additional photos: You may have to expand your child’s portfolio depending on the client’s requirements.
3. Quick process: Once you get your turn, the process gets over in a couple of minutes. Often your kid will be asked to try out the outfits.
4. The scope of work: Child models mostly work for in-store advertisements, magazines, catalogs, and store circulars.
5. Commitment: The work opportunities of your child will greatly depend on your patience and commitment. You may have to attend multiple go-sees in a day or none for several weeks.

1. What is the youngest age to start modeling?

You can start modeling your child as young as a few weeks to a few months old. There is no specific age limit because different campaigns necessitate different ages.

2. Should you pay for a child modeling agency?

Most legitimate modeling agencies do not charge application or membership fees to aspiring baby models. Other legitimate fees, however, may exist. So, if your child’s modeling agency demands registration fees, double-check their authenticity.

Kids modeling may be an attractive career choice, but you need to give it a good thought before walking this path. Opt for modeling only if your child enjoys the process and is comfortable before the camera. You should also analyze how your child will manage the modeling assignments and their education, playtime, and other engagements. If you are ready for the effort, you may apply for a modeling career in ad agencies. Agency directors are often attracted to good-looking children or those with unique features. Remember that all children may not get modeling assignments. It should not discourage you. Also, encourage your children to identify their passion and support them in their journey.

Key Takeaways

• Support your child’s interest in modeling if they are comfortable in front of the camera.
• Be flexible with your schedule to accommodate modeling demands.
• A child with good features, unique looks, a striking personality, and outgoing nature is a good fit for modeling.
• Chances of selection are high if the child fits popular clothing styles, lives near the agency, has a capable parent, or knows someone in the industry.
• Submit your child’s pictures to reputable agencies that only charge fees upon securing work.

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6 of the Best Child Modeling Agencies in California

6 of the Best Child Modeling Agencies in California

Like any parent, I always thought my children belonged in magazines or on the big screen—I mean have you seen them?! But it wasn’t until my kids showed a serious interest, and they had a few gigs in their portfolio, that I seriously looked into helping them pursue their dreams. We’re lucky here in southern California, with so many opportunities and agencies within reach. But I’m sure it’s no surprise when I say modeling is hard work! On top of juggling four kids, two dogs and a business, I know first-hand the burnout that comes with the extra hustle to get your child the opportunities they deserve. And if you’re in the same boat as I was, I only have a few words for you: welcome to the dark side, my friend! It’s time to find an agent.

Of course, it’s easier said than done, but finding an agent will take your child’s modeling career to the next level. And put your juggling skills to the test! It’s hard work, but there’s no greater joy than seeing your kids succeed in a career they are passionate about. It will take time and it will take a lot of rejection. When people said no to my kids, we didn’t give up, we just kept on pushing on until we found an agency that was right for us. And remember—this is supposed to be fun! It can be so easy to get caught up in the modeling world, so I make sure to keep it light, fun and stress-free. If you’re new to the agency hunt, I’m including six of the best agencies for kid’s modeling on the West Coast.

Modeling isn’t all about the money. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for models in 2017 was only $22,900.  

LA Models

With over 30 years in business, LA Model Management has become the largest modeling agency on the West Coast and a respected agency in the industry known for launching reputable modeling careers. The agency accepts youth models as young as one year old all the way through their teen years. This is ideal if your child is seriously interested in pursuing modeling long-term.

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Zuri Model & Talent

With offices in New York and Los Angeles, there’s plenty of business to go around! The full-service talent agency boasts opportunities in commercial and print advertising, as well as TV and big screen possibilities. Once you’re accepted into Zuri Model & Talent, you’ll be able to take advantage of their unmatched network of connections in the industry—from photographers to producers. They’ve built a reputation for these long-lasting relationships and make them available to you.

Bensimon Model & Talent San Diego

This boutique agency works exclusively with youth models on the trajectory toward a career in high-fashion or editorial modeling. With a tell-it-like-it-is outlook, Bensimon Model & Talent San Diego is selective with which clients they take on, ensuring each model reflects the look and feel the agency puts forward. If you are one of the chosen ones, get ready for an exciting career!

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San Diego Model Management

Around since 1985, San Diego Model Management is a staple here in Southern California! The agency has a wide range of opportunities, but it really depends on the type of work you and your child are looking for. This includes runway, sport, acting, editorial and commercial. If you’re new to the business, this is a great place to start and give your child solid work experience. Here, they can learn more about the industry and discover what they want to do.

Paloma Model & Talent

This Manhattan Beach agency has an ideal location close to LA and Orange County. Paloma Model & Talent works exclusively with babies through young adults, specializing in commercial, print and fashion industries. Their clients have gone on to work for reputable brands including Hyundai, Old Navy, Mattel and more!

Brand Models LA

One of the most well-known agencies in LA, Brand Models LA is known for its boutique business approach. They take the time to really build a personal and loyal relationship with their clients. Plus they develop a brand over time to reflect yours and your child’s career goals. Brand is a full-service management agency, including fashion, editorial, runway, commercial and more.

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How to make a child become a model, appear in advertising, fashion shows and magazines?

At the word model, a traditional image of a long-legged girl with parameters 90-60-90 pops up. However, in recent years, along with adult fashion, children's fashion has also been actively developing, children's clothing lines are being produced, and the search for small models is in full swing.

This decision must be meaningful, balanced, agreed with the child himself. Your baby should not be afraid of the camera, attention to himself, be able to behave relaxedly. It's good if you give him to a modeling agency or school in advance, even better if he already has experience visiting any art studios or sports sections.

If you have begun to work purposefully to bring your child into the world of modeling, the next step is to make his portfolio. For this, they are always ready to take on in a professional photo studio, but if finances do not allow you to bear such expenses, you can take pictures yourself or use existing ones. Parents love to capture smartly dressed children against a beautiful background at any age.

Today, a rare user of a personal computer will not be able to process photos in Photoshop or another program: expand, compress, crop. Pictures can be saved electronically or printed. Portfolios in electronic form are becoming more and more common today.

To get into any modeling agency or school, parents offer their children's portfolio there or register on a special website on the Internet.

It is easier to get to the site, but the chances of quickly getting an invitation to a casting or filming are much less than in person. That is why you should not wait until you are noticed and invited, do not be shy to send information with a link to a portfolio that is already ready. Child models grow, their appearance changes, as does their portfolio, which needs to be updated regularly.

If your child was successful in the initial casting and liked his photographs, you will be invited to the face-to-face casting. Be prepared that it can be scheduled any day of the week, anytime, anywhere. Prepare your child for this show in advance. You can find an appropriate program on television so that your child can watch how competitions are held, a demonstration of clothes, what is required from a model, how they walk, what they wear.

Suppose you have successfully passed the face-to-face casting, now your task is to please you at the show itself or at the photo session.

Event organizers, of course, will explain to child models how to behave, what to do, but parents should help their child first of all. By the way, if your baby does not fit into the conditions for showing clothes for babies, then you can offer him to show fashion for preschoolers.

Just don't leave everything halfway, otherwise the child will develop complexes, envy, which will subsequently render a poor service in shaping his character and willpower.

Agencies do not have the same strict requirements for child models as for adults. We must try so that the child does not lose interest in a new occupation for him, perceives it as a game, wants to be a model.

For up to ten years, he will not do without the help of his parents in this matter, so his future fate directly depends on the participation, patience and understanding on the part of the people around him.

Are you going on holiday with your child? In order not to rack your brains over how to entertain children on the road, at a hotel or on an excursion (after all, tablets with cartoons are not the most useful alternative, and they don’t work forever!), you should always have a set of useful and interesting "Entertainment" for a child by age.

You can order a ready-made children's set of toys for travel and games from the brand Busy on our website on the website>>> (20+, 30+ or ​​50+ items): this will save you a lot of effort and time for the selection and packaging of games and activities for the child.

You will get a number of useful "buns" for free and a notepad with tips/usefulness inside, you can write the name of the child on the bag with the set, which, moreover, will come in handy for you more than once in the future.

By the way, such children's sets are often ordered as gifts for children and their parents (and what could be more valuable than peace and some free time!).