My husband and I got a letter in the mail today from "Elen's Kids Talent and Modeling Agency". It states that our "child has been recently brought to our attention..." and would like to set up a time to meet him, etc... Is this a hoax, does anyone have any idea how they got our name, does anyone know anything about this sort of thing? We live in Summit, just moved here about 1.5 months ago, have a 2.5 month old son- who we think is adorable of course- and this agency is in Cranford.
Thanks everyone, any thoughts, info is appreciated!
We get them from time to time. They send them to any parenting list they can get. All you have to do to come to their attention is have a kid. Its not a real recommendation so I never called back -- I don't like to start out a business relationship with that sort of deception.
Elen's Kids Modeling & Talent Agency is simply wonderful to work for. I understand parents are always upset their kids don't work. Having been in this business (as a model as well), I clearly understand. Elen' s Kids is easy to deal with, very kind and understanding.
My kids have had nothing but FUN on the assignments they were lucky enough to book. Elen's Kids does ALOT of emailing regarding castings. I am always checking my emails That is how they do most of their contacts with parents.
Elen's Kids is a good company, very professional and great with the kids. Can't ask for much more.
Very happy client.
Very happy mom.
My husband and I had thought about using them for our son and so I did some research on them specicically. They ask for money from the parent to have pictures be taken and then don't send you on any castings or calls. Any legit agency should never ask you for a dime.
Same as the other responders... we got the mailing too, followed up on it and decided to go in just to see. We got a creepy feeling. They wanted the money up front to pay for the photo shoot for the portfolio, then an annual fee to be on their roster. Also, if you are called for a casting call, it would basically be a day spent taking your child into Manhattan (at your own expense..tolls, gas, parking, etc) and then you are only paid IF your child is chosen from the 100 others called in for the job, and if chosen, the job may pay $50-$150!!! So, no college tuition earning there!
My advise, stay away.... dont waste your time.
I had looked into agencies a while back. I found theirs. They have a great site. Then I started to google their company and found a few bad reviews. They will ask you for money.
Dear K.,
The same thing happened to me with my daughter (Not sure the name of the agency) when we were in the mall. I always received comments on how pretty she was(not bragging just making a point) so I thought maybe everyone is right. My husband and I took her and it was surely a hoax. They try to talk you into this expensive portfolio of photos that they will do for you and cannot guarantee any modeling exposure. I am talking thousands in photos. My husband and I left immediately without signing any paperwork. Be careful because sometimes they are just salesmen banking on parents being gullible. Good Luck!!
It's a scam...I got something like this for some other company a while back and I called. We went in and they get your name from a list from the hospital your child was born in. You have to pay $$$ to get started and if a modeling agency is legit they don't ask for costs up front. Don't waste your time going.
D.
Yup - we got it too. I grew up in Cranford and Ellen's Kids has been around for about 5 or 6 years. They seem to be doing steady business BUT I think they got our info from Babies R Us. Maybe when we registered...That's what I'm thinking. How else would they know that I have a child!?!?!?! The hospital would never give out info...That's just my humble opinion.
SCAM.
Isn't it nice to know that we all have beautiful children? ;-)
Obviously a scam.
And they do get your name from either a retail chain registry (like Babys R Us) or other mailing list (new parents magazines, etc).
I'm sure our kids are all beautiful, but don't go wasting your money.
Yeah, I got that too. It's probably a scam. My opinion, no legit agency needs to mail things out to get clients, and they certainly wouldn't mail out something if they've never even seen the child before! There are so many parents who think their children should be models, the real agencies are too busy turning people away.
For the past 4 years my daughter has enjoyed some of the best experiences of her life.
She is not making a fortune, however, the experiences has been a major boost to her self esteem, not counting how much fun she has had.
Thank you Elen! and staff of course....
Happy Mom
I agree with the other responders. They ask you up front for a ton of money for photos and then you are added to a data bank of hundreds of children. No reputable agency will ask you to do that.
B.
We got the same letter. I left several messages and no one ever called back. Check out the BBB- most of these are scams. We wasted over $600 on one such agency!
Good luck!
M.
