Child modeling

glitter_fairy

Have any of you signed your child up to any modeing aganies?

Has it worked out well for your child?

My daughter is very interested but I am a bit reluctant. She already does acting dancing and singing, she loves any sort of preforming. She is coming on 10, doing well at school, very confidnt but i guess im worried about all the horror stories and preasure to be thin, drugs etc.

Wicked_witch

I think the fact that you are very aware about the potential problems and would be keeping a close eye on things is a good thing. As long as she can handle rejection and not take it personally (I think that must be the hardest part, though I've never even been close to model material, lol) I'd let her give it a try.

Kitiara

Hi glitter_fairy

There is nothing wrong in your daughter wanting to become a model, and your right to be wary of the dieting / drugs etc. If you decide to pursue this, please be very careful that you sign her with a reputable agency. Agencies should NOT require any money upfront for a portfolio etc ... I speak form experience as my daughter at 13 spotted an advert in the local paper and asked if we could go along for an "audition" as they were calling them. She had some photo's taken (which have to admit were stunning) and a week later we were sent them with a letter saying that they were sure they could use her as she was exceptionally photogenic for catwalk, catalogue and even film extra work, but it would cost £95 for her portfolio, which we paid (not knowing any better). She was signed with them for over a year and didn't get any work from them in this time, just several "you have been shortlisted for xx catalogue or xx show" then "we regret to inform you that on this occasion you were not sucsessful yada yada yada". After a year she realised that she was not going to be "the next big thing" and told them she didn't want to be on their books any longer, we had loads of hassle but they eventually released her. It wasn't until after all this we did some digging and found out about these companies that basically "hit and run". My daughter is now 21 and 3 years was aproached by an agency, who turned out to be quite well known and very reputable, but she turned them down as she was so disillusioned by the whole process.

I wish your daughter well and hope she realises her dreams.

Kit

Person_one

I'd be wary just because you've had ever such a lot going on with your family in recent months, starting out in something very new like this might be a bit much on top of everything else.

I'd hate to see you starting a thread in a few weeks entitled 'Daughter thinks she's fat and won't eat' or similar.

glitter_fairy

Person_one wrote: »

I'd be wary just because you've had ever such a lot going on with your family in recent months, starting out in something very new like this might be a bit much on top of everything else.

I'd hate to see you starting a thread in a few weeks entitled 'Daughter thinks she's fat and won't eat' or similar.

She is a very settled child and I dont think our family situation is an issue when it comes to this. But I have never likes the idea of modeling, acting etc I don mind. But I also dont want to hold any of my children back from things they want to do.

I guess I was hoping someone would have first hand experience as I dont have any x

tesuhoha

Maybe you should let her watch this, without letting her see the comments underneath of course. There is a lot of truth in there about the modelling industry condensed into 9 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM4Xe6Dlp0Y

neverdespairgirl

We were approached by a child model agency when my son was a toddler - he was the angelic type, white-blond curls, beaming smile, etc. They offered to pay for everything, such as portfolio pics, and so forth.

We decided against it - didn't think it would be in his interests at all.

glitter_fairy

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

We were approached by a child model agency when my son was a toddler - he was the angelic type, white-blond curls, beaming smile, etc. They offered to pay for everything, such as portfolio pics, and so forth.

We decided against it - didn't think it would be in his interests at all.

We did as well for our son but as he couldnt agree to it we didnt

This time its our daughter asking

glitter_fairy

tesuhoha wrote: »

Maybe you should let her watch this, without letting her see the comments underneath of course. There is a lot of truth in there about the modelling industry condensed into 9 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM4Xe6Dlp0Y

will do thank you x

glitter_fairy

Quizzical_Squirrel wrote: »

How about being a film extra instead?

My friend's pre-teen was in the latest James Bond film and had a blast!

Another friend has two girls (one must have been older as she got the higher pay rate) who were in one of the Harry Potter films.

She does that already x

muckybutt

What I would do is get a proper portfolio done in a studio by a recognised trusted photographer, some will charge obviously some might do it on a part paid or time for basis in which they would keep some of the shots for their portfolio.

Once you have your photos approach a few different reputable agencies and see if they'll take her on, agencies should NEVER ask for money up front, the way they should operate is client x wants a child model on agency x books, agency x books child for client x, shoot takes place and client x pays agency x, agency x then takes their cut and you / child gets the rest.

Never ever pay up front to an agency, a photographer that knows what they are doing will be a much better bet for a decent portfolio.