My sister keeps telling me that I should get my son into some print modeling, but I don't know where to start. Her daughter was a fit model for Gap Kids for awhile, but they live in CA, so she's not much help for the Minneapolis area.
I've thought about it enough times that I'd like to at least look into it, but I don't know any good companies or even where to look. I'm not the "stage mom" type, but he's a little ham for the camera, and if he can earn enough for his own playset, more power to both of us, right?
I'm looking for advice about having your child model, as well as some companies to work with. Thanks so much for your insight!!
Usually if you contact the corporation that you want your child to model for, they can tell you what to do. Just go to their web page and click on the contact us. They should be able to tell you what you need to do to get your child in their print ads or at least give you the name of the agency they work with.
1st I wouldn't look at competing with your neice. A fit model is someone who tries on the clothes for the designers and other various staff to see if the clothes fit properly on a live person. so she was basically a mannequin. (I did the same job for Target and Marshall Fields) It's good money, but I can't imagine that it is much fun for a child.
Plus you have to stand there in your underwear for them to measure you every couple of months to make sure that you are still the same size they want to fit.
I am not sure who I would go to, to trust my kids with.
I know that you should stay away from the temptations of John Robert Powers- they are simply a school and want to charge you upwards of $6000 for a 3 year old kid to learn about being a model. It's a rip off. You will go there, they will tell you your kid has made the cut; then you get excited, then they want you to spend tons of money for schooling! They have even been investigated on, I believe, it was channel 9 within the last year or so.
SOme that have been in the industry for a long time are: Caryn's, Akerlind Steele (I think they may have changed name though) they are a good casting company in Mpls., I know there are a couple of others, but my brain is fried right now.
I wish the woman I was with was still in business, she was very familiy oriented and I trusted her.
anyway, it's not all it's cracked up to be. sure it's awesome money to start stocking away for college; but if this isn't your thing, and you aren't comfortable parading him to audition after crazy audition, it may not be for you and your son. Even if he is a little cutey pie. there are many cute kids out there, and he and you will have to deal with rejection too.
I don't know much about the modeling arena, but I do know that you should NOT go to those places that seek you out. For instance, Justourkids.com who sends flyers in the mail and phone calls to parents who have reciently given birth. They are a scam company, though they claim they're legit, there have been news segmants done on them as they take advantage of parents that are willing to spend a bit of money to get their kids in print. Be careful when choosing a company or an agent. We looked into doing this with our daughter and the scariness factor of what's real and what is a scam is what kept us from persueing it.
Hi S.,
I am posting this response because I am curious what other responses you have gotten. I have twins (boy & girl) who are now 6 and since they were babies I have had people everywhere telling me I should get them into modeling. I am kind of in the same boat as you. I would not really know where to start, although because I have been told by so many people wherever we go that they should be modeling that I have entertained the thought. So, thank you and good luck.
M.
I've been wondering the exact same thing! I have an almost 11 month old son. Of course I think he's very cute, but I don't think he's exceptionally cute, but we get stopped all the time and asked if he is a model. On a trip to Disney World, we had 15 people ask in one day. My sister-in-law was also a model as a baby/child, so my mother-in-law is really encouraging us to get my son started. I did all kinds of research and found no information in the Twin Cities. Finally, after talking to some families who have modeling children, I did get a couple of names of companies. I think one was Moore Talent Agency (or something like that) and I can't remember the other. If you send me a message, I'd be happy to look at my info. when I get home and get back to you.
If you are serious about doing this, contact Moore Creative Talent at ###-###-####, Wehmann at ###-###-####, and Caryn at ###-###-####. Trust me, those of us in the business are always trying to find new kids to work with. Most kids are represented by more than one agency. Be prepared to go to many a casting before getting a job. You will also need a head shot to get started. You will have to pay a commercial photographer for this. Ask the agency to refer you to someone. This is not something you do at home or at Proex. Once you see if you all like it you may want to have a few shots done and have a comp card printed. The agencies make their money by charging a fee for every job they book for you. Do not go anywhere that wants you to pay them money up front!
