Modeling Tips:: Child Modeling

Child Modeling

Infants (age 1 month - 24 months) appear in advertisements and packaging for baby food and other baby items. Many times clients will hire 2-3 babies for a job and only use the one that is best behaved and/or "poses" properly. The baby who appears in the ad will be paid more (usually around $75-$150 per hour) while the other babies will be paid a fee usually equal to one half.

How to get your infant into modeling agencies: Your infant is beautiful and talented in your eyes + he/she may or may not be in the eyes of others. To find out if your baby has what it takes your should send 3-5 color snapshots to the modeling agencies in the largest city near you. Include the baby's date of birth, size, your daytime phone number and address. If, after several weeks, you do not hear from the agencies you can place a follow up call.

If your baby is accepted by one or more of the agencies you should be prepared to continually update the agency with current snapshot and size information. The agency will send your baby's photos to potential clients. When a client is interested in you baby, they will ask you to bring the infant to a "go-see" or casting. During this meeting the client and/or the photographer will place your baby on the "set" or in the arms of the "model mom" or "model dad" and take test photos or Polaroid's. This interview session should not last more than a few minutes (although the waiting time could be more than an hour long). You agency will contact you and let you know if your baby gets the job. You should not call the agency unless your telephone has been out of order or your answering machine has been broken. Your agency will call you if they need to reach you.
Once your baby has the job, you will be told when and where to take your child and what clothing or accessories you need to have you. Always ask your agency the exact per rate per hour and approximately how long the booking will last.

After the booking be sure to submit a voucher (a time sheet) to your agency to confirm the number of hours your baby worked. Your agency will bill the client and you will receive payment 30-60 days later from your agency. Most agencies take 10-20% of the model fee. This is reasonable and customary. Be sure to ask where this advertisement will appear so you can be sure to purchase the newspaper/magazine/catalog to get a "tear sheet" of your baby's work. Now you have the beginning of a portfolio for your child.

Tools of the trade for "infant" modeling

* You do not need professional photos of your infant. Good quality color snapshots should be sent to your agency monthly along with updated size information.

* You do not need a professional portfolio or composite of your infant. Your infant is changing too quickly so snapshots are always acceptable (and expected).

Children age 2 years - 15 years can perform in any form of print, runway or television booking. Children are paid $75-$150 per hour for their work. But you need to have your child represented by a modeling agency.

How to get your child into a modeling agency: Send 3-5 non-returnable snapshots to the modeling agencies in the largest city near you. Include the child's name, date of birth, size information, a daytime telephone number for the parent and your address. If, after several weeks, you don't hear from any of the agencies you may make a follow up call to find out of they are interested. If none of the agencies are interested then you should take new photos and resubmit them. If your child is call in for an interview with one or more agencies your should schedule the appointment and take the child, dressed neatly yet casually to the agencies for the meeting.

If your child is accepted you must be prepared to spend money on the following things:
1) Professional photographs - The agency will recommend several photographers who will take the photos of your child. Photographers costs may average $150-$500/session.
2)The model composite - a 6"x8" card that displays 3-5 photos, the child's name, size information, and agency name. You should have about 200 of these cards printed. The average cost is $50-$300 total.

Do not produce your child's composite card by yourself. You should ALWAYS let the agency select the photos, and there is no use in producing a composite card until an agency represents your child once you have your child's composite you're ready to work.

Your agency will send the composite card out to potential clients. You may be asked to take your child on a "go-see" or casting. During this meeting the client and/or the photographer will look at your child's photos and then take test photos or Polaroid's. The interview session should last no longer than a few minutes (although the waiting time could be more than an hour long - so bring a game or toy to amuse your child). your agency will contact you and let you know of your child gets the job. You should not call the agency unless your telephone has been out of order or your answering machine has been broken. Your agency will call you if they need to reach you. Once your baby has the job, you will be told when and where to take your child and what clothing or accessories you need to have you. Always ask your agency the exact per rate per hour and approximately how long the booking will last.

After the booking be sure to submit a voucher (a time sheet) to your agency to confirm the number of hours your baby worked. Your agency will bill the client and you will receive payment 30-60 days later from your agency. Most agencies take 10-20% of the model fee. This is reasonable and customary. Be sure to ask where this advertisement will appear so you can be sure to purchase the newspaper/magazine/catalog to get a "tear sheet" of your baby's work. Now you have the beginning of a portfolio for your child.

Tools of the trade for child models (age 2-5)

*Composite card (6"x8" card displaying 3-5 photos of your child, his/her name, size information + agency information.

* A portfolio will be developed as your models, it consist of tearsheets of the work he/she has done and enlargements of the photos used on his/her composite and any other professional photos your child has acquired thru any modeling jobs.
Be sure not to spend a lot of money on portfolio packages that agencies or photographers might suggest.

Models