i posted a question looking to sign my daughter up for modeling, and found one that is VERY ligit, except for one teensy weensy issue, they are asking for an "insurance payment" and from the "small print" on the bottom of the letter, it's an upfront cost, does this sound ligit? every thing else is everything i've been looking for like "no up front fees" all expenses paid if out of town trips are necessary, etc.
does this sound right to you?
thanks guys for your input. something i thought about doing to see if it's what she really wants to do is sign her up for beauty pageants something small and for the fun of it. I will talk with the director that sent the letter and go from there
thanks
I'm just against all kid modeling. They all have proven to be horrendous for child development and have cost families thousands of dollars and even divorce among parents. Listen to me, don't even go down that road!
ANYONE asking for ANY $$ is a scam.
Modeling is a JOB. It is not glorious, it is WORK. IF you choose to go this route, make sure your child likes it a LOT and put any and all $$ into an account for your child because THEY are the one working.
I have been in the modeling industry since I was a child. It is hard, you MUST be able to accept rejection, deal with stage moms/dads, deal with a lot of negativity. No matter how good you are... you are never "the look" for everyone.
My daughter (now 16) was interested in modeling because I do it... I allowed her to get involved as her choice (at 10 yrs old). After 1 job that was a week long in LA....she said "Mom, I never want to do this again". She has never done it again and won't unless she seeks it out again.
Keep in mind that it is WORK. You are called to auditions on the company time, not yours and that may not work within your schedule and if not... tough ... the company moves on. If your child is a toddler this audition may take hours, may come during naptime, meal time and you have to make sure all adjustments are set... when it is their turn to audition... that's it... all out and ready to go. It is very frustrating for many parents and TOO many parents try to get into modeling for quick money. NO WAY is it quick money or a get rich quick idea.
Beware. Send your snapshots to reputable agencies. If they like your look, THEY CALL YOU and there are NO EXPENSES whatsoever for YOU.
Good luck and be careful.
My son's agent "discovered" him at the gym childcare... It costs me nothing (but the time it took me to fill out the work permit paperwork). They take a commission on work he gets... that's it.
There shouldn't be a fee at all. An agent takes a commission and won't sign your daughter unless they think they can book her, since that's how they make money... Be careful of "managers" or anything with a school... kids don't need managers unless they're already child-stars or something. Also you don't need professional pics until she's booked with a real agent and then THEY'll tell you what kind of pics to get.
Sounds fishy to me. You carry your own insurance, and so do companies who do business. I would let it go, or you will just be a teensy weensy bit poorer.
M.
Nope. That's not legit. I had a friend who decided to make her kids do modeling/commercials, etc. She didn't spend money on any agency, but she did spend tons of money on traveling, clothing, eating out and things like that. While the rest of us were at the park playing with our kids, she was sitting in hallways in huge lines eating out of a backpack and trying to keep her kids happy while they waited to be rejected over and over and over again. It is something she said she will regret forever.
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re-read your post: ".......it's an upfront cost, does this sound legit?" then you say "......everything i've been looking for like "no up front fees"
you say they want an upfront cost & then you say that it's everything that you have been looking for like NO upfront fees
I say run the other way
You do not have to pay for anything unless you choose to pay for pics. And dont trust the agencies that offer to give out your kids pic on a card for the top agencies to look at & all you have to pay is 695.. When I was 5, I was discovered on the street. They wanted to fly me & my mom to FLA to audition for a commercial, for free! But she was a singlemom & I wasnt the only child.. Anyway, with my son, as pretty as he is, we are always getting stopped by someone, especially those scam artist that hang around the exit in SixFlags.. But I did research, & top agencies just want regular photos from certain angles! They want no hair styling, makeup wearing, awesome professional photos. If you want your child to model, submit photos to the places that matter. I wouldnt waste my $!
Edit: Isn't insurance a company issue?...
When I was in Millie Lewis they wanted us to pay to go to NC to meet modeling agents/companies. My dad wouldn't, he said that ya shouldn't have to pay upfront costs. I found out that yes modeling is like a job, you shouldn't have to pay for anything but pictures. I was a preteen at that point but I agree with llda, I refuse to get my daughter in modeling and I have people askin all the time why I don't but I don't think that's a healthy lifestyle for a child because it can easily get too big too quick or not get big at all and end up being an emotional roller coaster and you always have to keep an eye on the strangers (or agents who you know) to make sure they don't hurt your child.
If you do, look up some big modeling companies and see what they practice and always be careful... I'm sure that job attracts some odd people... some pics (like american apparel) use to have kid pics that were about to cross a line.
Nothing up front is required from a company wanting to hire you (or your child). You should be called in to take pictures or do some reading if for commercials only. If they want money up front, skip them.
