I've had a lot of people ask about how to get their baby or child started in modelling so I figure I could give some tips and pointers. When I first started, my daughter was about 3 months old and I was at home on mat leave and bored and thought it would be something fun to do. I researched a lot on google of course and read a lot about it before I decided to get her into it. I'm not an expert by any means as my daughter is only 2 1/2 so we haven't been doing it for very long but I figure this could be a starting point for you if interested. I'll be doing a series of blogs to break down the different sections.
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| Kingston, 13 months for Omaiki washable diapers |
Before you Start Seriously Considering it
95% of auditions and photoshoots are done on the weekday during regular working hours so you must have a flexible schedule or be willing to take time off of work to be committed to it. Castings and photoshoots are not guaranteed and they can be very last minute, I once had to bring Kayla in for an audition the very next day! It's rare but it does happen. So if you're ready for that type of commitment then read on!
The Basics
- Take clear photos of your child, at least one headshot and full body. These do not have to be professional but make sure that they're clear if you snap on your iphone (especially since they tend to move a lot)
- Research agencies in your local area and email them the photos. Personally I prefer sticking with an agency that specializes in kids but the bigger name ones are also good to go to. You've probably heard a lot about modelling scams and agencies that ask about upfront fees. The modelling world has evolved a little bit so I'll get into this in a different blog post but my first advice is to make sure to ask a LOT of questions.
- If the agency is interested, they will ask to meet with you and your child. First they will talk to the parents to explain the agency structure and how things work. Then they will talk with the child or if you have a baby they will take him/her aside and see how he/she reacts with strangers. Agencies usually sign a 1 year contract but it's not unheard of to sign 5 years with them. Make sure to read the fine print and ask questions if you're unsure.
- If you don't get an answer or hear back from the agency don't be discouraged! Rejection is an unfortunate part of the industry and it doesn't mean that your kid isn't cute. Agencies can get up to hundreds of submissions a day so it would take a lot of time to reply to everyone. If you don't get an answer, try submitting again in 4-6 months with different photos. Good agencies will not overload their roster by adding too many kids. For example if they already have 5 babies with blonde hair and blue eyes, they might not want to add another.
I hope this will give you some pointers in the right direction. Feel free to leave a comment with any questions!
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| Kayla Belle at 20 months for Trois Moutons |
