Child Modeling – Everything You Need To Know

I m a g e : Shutterstock

E v e r y time y o u switch o n that s c r e e n , you c a n ’ t help b u t smile a t those c u t e and l o v a b l e little c h i l d models. A s a p a r e n t , you’ve p r o b a b l y adored t h o s e faces o n the s c r e e n , and c h a n c e s are y o u wondered i f your c h i l d could d o something s i m i l a r .

A n d , if y o u love c l i c k i n g your l i t t l e poser’s p h o t o g r a p h s , you’ve p r o b a b l y sowed t h e seeds o f modeling i n your m i n d . Or m a y b e your c h i l d has a natural f l a i r for i t , and y o u are j u s t not s u r e as t o how y o u can c h a n n e l i z e it i n t o something p o s i t i v e . Either w a y , if y o u would l i k e to l e a r n more a b o u t the c h i l d modeling i n d u s t r y or h o w you c a n train y o u r little o n e to b e a m o d e l , read o u r post b e l o w . Because, M o m j u n c t i o n has p u t together s o m e essential i n f o r m a t i o n on c h i l d r e n modeling h e r e .

S c o p e Of C h i l d Modeling:

C h i l d modeling i s a d e b a t a b l e subject. A n d , as w i t h other s u c h controversial s u b j e c t s , there a r e both p o s i t i v e and n e g a t i v e opinions. W h i l e some p e o p l e strongly a d v o c a t e the b e n e f i t s of e n r o l l i n g children i n t o modeling, o t h e r s feel t h a t making a child a model i s a g r o s s violation o f her b a s i c human r i g h t s . As a parent, y o u will b e the b e s t judge o f what i s right o r wrong f o r your c h i l d , and w h a t is f a i r or u n f a i r . If y o u are i n t e r e s t e d in k i c k – s t a r t i n g your c h i l d ’ s modeling c a r e e r as a child m o d e l , here a r e a f e w ways y o u can h e l p :

1 . I t Can B e A L o t Of F u n :

Y e s , it i s true t h a t modeling c a n be a lot o f hard w o r k for y o u r child, e s p e c i a l l y for t h e first f e w times. B u t , it i s also t r u e that y o u r child m a y enjoy i t , so m u c h so t h a t you m a y not w a n t to d i s c o n t i n u e the e x p e r i e n c e for y o u r child.

2 . E n o u g h Time A n d Scope For B o n d i n g :

A s a c h i l d model, y o u r little o n e will h a v e much t i m e to b o n d together. F r o m spending t i m e traveling t o and f r o m sets t o spending t i m e on s e t and e v e n going f o r location s h o o t s , there i s so m u c h time t h a t you a n d your c h i l d will s p e n d outside t h e home a n d school e n v i r o n m e n t .

3 . Provides A Vast Pool O f Experience:

A s a c h i l d model, y o u r little o n e will m e e t a h o s t of n e w people w h o she m a y not h a v e had t h e chance t o meet o t h e r w i s e . From m e e t i n g other c h i l d r e n to o t h e r professionals s u c h as c o o r d i n a t o r s , photographers, m a k e u p professionals, d i r e c t o r s , storyboard w r i t e r s , singers, a c t o r s and m o r e , there i s no e n d of t h e experience t h a t your c h i l d will g e t exposed t o .

4 . C a n Boost Your C h i l d ’ s Self-Confidence:

B e c o m i n g a c h i l d model c a n have a positive b o o s t on y o u r child’s s e l f – e s t e e m and s e l f – c o n f i d e n c e . While y o u r child m a y be c o n f i d e n t , going o u t into t h e adult w o r l d and w o r k i n g at s u c h a y o u n g age w i l l come w i t h its s h a r e of r e s p o n s i b i l i t y and c o n f i d e n c e . From m e e t i n g deadlines t o learning h o w to b e h a v e while w o r k i n g alongside a d u l t s , modeling c a n instill a sense o f responsibility a n d achievement i n your c h i l d .

5 . Y o u r Child C a n Always O p t Out:

A s modeling i s not l i k e a c o u r s e where y o u r child h a s to b e enrolled f o r a p a r t i c u l a r time, t h e r e is a l w a y s the o p t i o n of s t o p p i n g when y o u r child d o e s not w a n t to d o it a n y m o r e . As a parent, y o u will g e t the r i g h t to s i g n a c o n t r a c t after g o i n g through t h e various t e r m s and c o n d i t i o n s . Your c h i l d can c o n t i n u e to m o d e l for a s long a s she i s enjoying t h e experience. O n c e you f e e l that i t is n o t something s h e wants t o do f u r t h e r , you c a n always e n d the t e r m after s p e a k i n g to t h e agent o r the c o m p a n y through w h i c h you g o t her s i g n e d on.

6 . S c o p e Of E a r n i n g Early A n d Investing I t For Y o u r Child’s F u t u r e :

O n e positive s i d e of g e t t i n g your c h i l d to b e a c h i l d model i s the e a r l y income s h e will g e n e r a t e . Of c o u r s e , it i s not r i g h t to a s s u m e that t h e payment w i l l be b i g during t h e initial p h a s e . Just a s any o t h e r profession, m o d e l i n g too h a s its u p s and d o w n s and i t will t a k e time f o r your c h i l d to e s t a b l i s h herself a s a s t e a d y model. W h a t e v e r she e a r n s from h e r modeling p r o j e c t s can m a k e up a n extra a m o u n t that y o u can i n v e s t for h e r future.

W h a t Are T h e Qualities T h a t Can H e l p Your C h i l d Become A Child M o d e l ?

U n l i k e what m o s t parents a n d people f e e l , being c u t e and b e a u t i f u l is n o t always t h e main c r i t e r i a for b e i n g signed o n as a child m o d e l . All c h i l d r e n are c u t e and b e a u t i f u l , but t o be a model, t h e r e are o t h e r qualities t h a t your c h i l d will n e e d to h a v e . Here a r e some o t h e r factors t h a t can h e l p to d e t e r m i n e whether t h e y are suited t o the r i g o r s of k i d s modeling i n d u s t r y :

1 . Y o u r Child I s Not S h y :

W h e n your c h i l d gets i n t o the m o d e l i n g world, s h e will h a v e to i n t e r a c t with m a n y strangers a n d people w h o may n o t be p a r t of t h e regular c i r c l e of p e o p l e she i s used t o . If y o u r child i s shy, s h e will f i n d it d i f f i c u l t to w o r k with s u c h strangers. E v e n if s h e can w o r k , she w i l l find i t uncomfortable a n d will n o t be a b l e to g i v e it h e r best s h o t . On t h e other h a n d , if y o u r child c a n mix f r e e l y with p e o p l e and d o e s not h a v e inhibitions, e s p e c i a l l y when s h e is i n the c o m p a n y of s t r a n g e r s , it i s a q u a l i t y that w i l l help h e r in t h e modeling w o r l d .

2 . Y o u r Child C a n Follow I n s t r u c t i o n s :

A s a c h i l d model, y o u r little o n e will h a v e to f o l l o w a s e t of i n s t r u c t i o n s from c a s t i n g directors, a g e n t s , photographers a n d others w h o are p a r t of t h e modeling w o r l d . If y o u r child c a n understand i n s t r u c t i o n s and c a n follow t h e m , it w i l l help h e r work s m o o t h l y . If y o u r child l i k e s to l i s t e n to o t h e r s and d o as s h e is a s k e d to, i t will b e a b o o n in h e r field o f work. E v e n if y o u r child s t a r t s to w o r k as a child m o d e l , most p e o p l e she w i l l encounter w i l l be a d u l t s . As p r o f e s s i o n a l s , most o f these a d u l t s will u n d e r s t a n d the f a c t that t h e y are w o r k i n g with a child a n d will k e e p the w o r k atmosphere c o n d u c i v e as s u c h . However, i t is i m p o r t a n t that y o u r child i s well-mannered a n d behaves p r o p e r l y so t h a t the w o r k can b e completed a s per t h e deadlines.

3 . Y o u r Child Is Flexible A n d A d a p t a b l e :

W h i l e most p h o t o s h o o t s that i n v o l v e children f i n i s h within a decided t i m e frame, t h e r e are m a n y instances w h e r e your c h i l d may h a v e to w a i t for m a n y hours. F r o m sitting f o r auditions t o having m e e t i n g s with t h e clients, t h e modeling i n d u s t r y will r e q u i r e that y o u r child s p e n d s time i n office r o u t i n e s and o t h e r formal m e e t s . It i s important t h a t your c h i l d can s t a y still f o r such h o u r s and a d j u s t to t h e demands o f the i n d u s t r y . If y o u r child i s constantly f i d g e t y and c r a n k y and f i n d s it d i f f i c u l t to s t a y in o n e place w h i l e waiting, i t will b e difficult t o be i n v o l v e d in m o d e l i n g as a profession.

4 . D o e s Not H a v e Too M a n y P r i o r C o m m i t m e n t s :

I f your c h i l d is a l r e a d y involved i n a l o t of o t h e r activities, s u c h as s o c c e r practice, d a n c e , art, a n d others, i t will b e easier t o manage t h e modeling s c h e d u l e . Often, y o u may n o t get t o o much o f a n o t i c e of a particular m o d e l i n g assignment t h a t your c h i l d needs t o appear f o r . When y o u receive a n urgent c a l l , often o n l y a d a y before t h e shoot, i t could m e a n that y o u will h a v e to c h a n g e whatever o t h e r plans y o u r child h a d for t h a t particular t i m e slot. I t means t h a t even i f your c h i l d is s c h e d u l e d for a n o t h e r class o r activity, y o u will h a v e to g i v e up o n that.

5 . Y o u r Child’s P e r s o n a l i t y :

I t is t r u e that o n e of t h e first t h i n g s that s o m e o n e sees i n a c h i l d model i s the c u t e n e s s factor a n d the o v e r a l l beauty, b u t there i s much m o r e to m o d e l i n g than j u s t the c u t e face. Y o u r child’s c u t e personality a n d good l o o k s will n o t be t h e only d e c i d i n g factor t h a t can h e l p her s u c c e s s f u l l y work i n the m o d e l i n g world. T h e r e are v a r i o u s other f a c t o r s that w i l l come i n t o play h e r e . Child m o d e l coordinators w i l l want t o see h o w your c h i l d interacts w i t h other a c t o r s and p r o f e s s i o n a l s on s e t . Your c h i l d may b e cute, b u t once s h e gets c r a n k y , she m a y refuse t o smile a n d set h e r face i n a f r o w n , which w i l l not w o r k for t h e shoot. I n such c a s e s , being e x t r e m e l y photogenic i s also n o t something t h a t can h e l p .

B e f o r e You S i g n Your C h i l d To A Modeling A g e n c y :

H e r e are a few t h i n g s you s h o u l d keep i n mind w h e n you w a n t your c h i l d to s i g n with a modeling a g e n c y :

1 . C h o o s i n g The R i g h t M o d e l i n g Agency:

O n e of t h e first t h i n g s that y o u will n e e d to d o is t o choose a modeling a g e n c y that h a s enough e x p e r i e n c e in w o r k i n g with c h i l d r e n and g e t t i n g them t h e right r o l e s .

T h e best w a y to f i n d out w h i c h modeling a g e n c y is g o o d for y o u r child i s to a s k your f r i e n d s or c o l l e a g u e s . If y o u know o f someone w h o s e child h a s featured i n any m o d e l i n g campaign, y o u can a s k them a b o u t recommendations.

I f you d o not k n o w of a n y such a g e n c y , you c a n also c h e c k various c h i l d modeling a g e n c i e s and g e t in t o u c h directly w i t h their P R agency t o check f o r requirements a b o u t child m o d e l s .

2 . Q u e s t i o n s To A s k The A g e n c y :

O n c e you g e t in t o u c h with t h e modeling a g e n c y , there a r e some q u e s t i o n s you w i l l need t o ask t h e m to u n d e r s t a n d the w o r k conditions b e t t e r .

O n e of t h e first t h i n g s you n e e d to a s k is h o w you c a n apply f o r your c h i l d to b e featured a s a c h i l d model. T h e modeling a g e n c i e s will a l s o charge y o u a f e e for e n l i s t i n g your c h i l d as t h e i r client, s o make s u r e you k n o w the c h a r g e s in a d v a n c e before y o u already e n r o l l your c h i l d with t h e m .

A l s o , the m o d e l i n g agency t h a t will h a n d l e your c h i l d ’ s portfolio w i l l charge y o u a s e t percentage o f the f e e for e v e r y modeling a s s i g n m e n t they g e t for y o u r child. M a k e sure y o u know h o w much t h a t amount w i l l be.

I n some c a s e s , a m o d e l i n g agency w i l l tell y o u that t h e y will n o t charge a n y initial a m o u n t as a n enrollment f e e , but m a y ask t h a t your c h i l d has t o get p r o f e s s i o n a l pictures c l i c k e d by t h e m . Sometimes, s u c h professional p h o t o shoots c a n be e x t r e m e l y expensive, s o it i s better y o u discuss t h e terms a n d conditions a n d finances b e f o r e h a n d .

M a k e sure y o u also a s k about h o w the m o d e l i n g agency m a k e s its p a y m e n t to i t s child m o d e l s . Some m o d e l i n g agencies w i l l clear t h e payments i m m e d i a t e l y after t h e photoshoots a n d the m o m e n t they r e c e i v e the p a y m e n t for t h e child m o d e l s . In s u c h cases, y o u r child w i l l get t h e payment t h e moment t h e said p a y m e n t gets c l e a r e d . In o t h e r cases, a modeling a g e n c y may m a k e a p a y m e n t only a few t i m e s a y e a r , more l i k e a b u l k payment o f all t h e assignments t h a t your c h i l d has d o n e with t h e m for t h e year.

3 . W h a t Kind O f Pictures T o Take:

Y o u r child m a y be e x t r e m e l y cute a n d photogenic, b u t the k i n d of p i c t u r e s you c l i c k for y o u r child c a n make o r break t h e deal w i t h the c h i l d modeling a g e n c y .

I n the i n i t i a l stages, y o u will h a v e to s e n d a f e w recent p i c t u r e s of y o u r child t o the m o d e l i n g agency. I t can b e a m i x of c o l o r e d and b l a c k and w h i t e images, b u t make s u r e you d o click c o l o r e d images t o o .

S o m e of t h e best p i c t u r e s of c h i l d models a r e natural p i c t u r e s , where y o u r child w i l l not b e posing t o o much b u t will i n s t e a d be i n her n a t u r a l elements.

R e m e m b e r that c h i l d modeling a g e n t s always l o o k out f o r pictures t h a t are c l e a r and w h i c h will s h o w off y o u r child’s f a c e clearly. A c c o r d i n g to m o s t such a g e n t s who g o through p i c t u r e s of a s p i r i n g child m o d e l s , the i m a g e s should b e simple a n d clear.

M a k e sure t h a t your c h i l d faces t h e camera i n most o f the p i c t u r e s . Do n o t let h e r dress u p in h a t s or s u n g l a s s e s , or a n y other a c c e s s o r y that c o u l d block h e r face f r o m the c a m e r a . Also, i t is i m p o r t a n t that y o u r child f a c e s the c a m e r a in h e r natural f a c e and d o e s not w e a r makeup.

I f you h a v e a g o o d digital c a m e r a at h o m e , you c a n click t h e pictures y o u r s e l f before s e n d i n g it t o the m o d e l i n g agency. I t is b e s t that y o u do n o t edit t h e pictures t o o much, a s it m a y take a w a y the n a t u r a l charm a n d beauty o f the i m a g e s and m a y work a g a i n s t what t h e modeling a g e n c y is l o o k i n g for.

T r y to t a k e some p i c t u r e s and s h o w your c h i l d in d i f f e r e n t poses, r a t h e r than m a k i n g all t h e pictures l o o k repetitive. A d d as m a n y headshots a n d full b o d y shots a s you c a n .

A l s o , when y o u are g e t t i n g your c h i l d clicked, d o not g o by w h a t you t h i n k the a g e n c y may b e looking f o r . Instead, g o by w h a t you f e e l your c h i l d will b e most c o m f o r t a b l e in d o i n g and g e t her c l i c k e d in s e t t i n g s and p o s e s that w i l l bring o u t her b e s t features a n d shots.

H o w many t i m e s you s h o u l d click y o u r child’s p i c t u r e s for a portfolio d e p e n d s on y o u r child’s a g e . For b a b i e s , the a v e r a g e time f r a m e is a change i n portfolio e v e r y six m o n t h s till t h e time t h e y start t o walk. F o r younger c h i l d r e n , the a v e r a g e time f r a m e is a change i n portfolio e v e r y 12 t o 18 m o n t h s . For o l d e r children, t h e average t i m e frame t o click a professional p o r t f o l i o is e v e r y two y e a r s and e a r l i e r if y o u see a major c h a n g e in t h e i r looks.

4 . G e t t i n g Exposure O n The A g e n c y Website:

O n c e the c h i l d modeling a g e n c y accepts y o u r child a s a c l i e n t , make s u r e that s h e gets a good e x p o s u r e on t h e i r website.

I t is i m p o r t a n t that y o u r child’s p i c t u r e s are p r o m i n e n t l y displayed i n a w a y that o t h e r clients w i l l be a b l e to n o t i c e them e a c h time t h e y visit t h e website.

I f you a r e not h a p p y with t h e way y o u r child’s p i c t u r e s are s h a r e d or i f you f e e l there i s not e n o u g h exposure h a p p e n i n g , speak t o the a g e n c y about i t and s e e what c h a n g e s can b e made.

5 . K n o w About T h e Casting:

E v e r y time y o u r child g e t s called f o r a c a s t i n g or a u d i t i o n , the c h i l d modeling a g e n c y will g e t in t o u c h with y o u to i n f o r m about t h e time a n d place f o r the s a m e . If y o u want y o u can a l s o get i n touch w i t h the a g e n c y at r e g u l a r intervals t o know a n y upcoming a u d i t i o n s that y o u r child c a n attend o r any u p c o m i n g events.

T h o u g h the m o d e l i n g agency w i l l give y o u all t h e details a b o u t the a u d i t i o n , make s u r e you a s k all t h e relevant q u e s t i o n s . Some t h i n g s you s h o u l d have f u l l information o n are t h i n g s such a s the t i m e , date,

p l a c e , exact l o c a t i o n , and t r a v e l details f o r the v e n u e . Also, a s k if t h e r e are a n y specific w a r d r o b e requirements f o r the a u d i t i o n or a n y lines o r things y o u r child s h o u l d learn b e f o r e she g o e s for t h e same.

A casting a g e n c y will g e t back t o you o n l y if y o u r child g e t s the r o l e . The a g e n c y will a l s o place y o u r child’s n a m e on a n option l i s t , which m e a n s that y o u r child h a s been s h o r t l i s t e d , but t h e final c a l l has n o t been m a d e yet.

I n some c a s e s , your c h i l d will f i r s t need a license t o go a h e a d with t h e shoot. M a k e sure y o u ask t h e modeling a g e n c y about t h e same i n advance, s o that t h e r e is n o holdup a t the t i m e of t h e shoot.

I f your c h i l d appears i n a t e l e v i s i o n commercial, t h e agency w i l l give s o m e t h i n g known a s a ‘ b u y o u t . ’ It i s , in f a c t , the t e r m used f o r usage r i g h t s which w o r k s for a year. T h e amount w i l l vary d e p e n d i n g on t h e shoot a n d the c l i e n t your c h i l d is w o r k i n g with.

6 . M i s s i n g Classes A t School:

F o r your c h i l d to g o to t h e shoots, i t is p o s s i b l e that s h e will h a v e to m i s s school f o r many d a y s . To a v o i d any a b s e n c e issues a n d to m a k e sure t h a t she c a n still s i t for h e r exams a n d continue c l a s s e s the r e g u l a r way, y o u will n e e d a l i c e n s e from t h e local c o u n c i l or c o n c e r n e d authority i n your a r e a . The s a i d license w i l l allow y o u r child t o take p a r t in t h e shoot a n d also c o n t i n u e with c l a s s e s , despite m i s s i n g some.

A l s o , to t h e above l e t t e r , you w i l l also n e e d a p e r m i s s i o n letter f r o m your c h i l d ’ s school w h i c h will a l l o w her t o attend c l a s s e s despite m i s s i n g some.

Y o u will a l s o need a letter o f health f r o m your c h i l d ’ s general p h y s i c i a n which w i l l state t h a t your c h i l d is i n good h e a l t h .

S o m e child m o d e l i n g agencies h e l p parents b y getting t h e required l i c e n s e themselves, b u t many a g e n c i e s will d i r e c t l y need t h e same f r o m you. I n many c a s e s , the l o c a l authorities m a y take a n y w h e r e between a week t o a f e w weeks t o process t h e license. M a k e sure t o speak t o your c h i l d ’ s modeling a g e n c y about a l l the p a p e r w o r k that i s required, s o that y o u do n o t have t o go b a c k and f o r t h with t h e same a n d can g e t it a l l done a t once.

7 . P e r s o n a l Copies:

O n c e your c h i l d gets t h r o u g h a p a r t i c u l a r assignment, y o u should a s k the a g e n c y about w h e n you w i l l get y o u r copy o f the s a m e . The p i c t u r e s that y o u r child g e t s clicked a n d the s h o t s of t h e commercials t h a t your c h i l d will f e a t u r e in w i l l help t o build h e r work p o r t f o l i o over t i m e .

I n case y o u r child d i d some t e l e v i s i o n work, t h e agency w i l l most l i k e l y send y o u a M P E G file o f the s a m e . In c a s e she f e a t u r e d in a catalog o r such, t h e y will s e n d you a hard c o p y of t h e same.

I f your c h i l d appears i n a p o s t e r , you c a n also c h e c k when t h e same w i l l be t a k e n down f o r a c h a n g e and k e e p it f o r your c o l l e c t i o n .

E n r o l l i n g your c h i l d into m o d e l i n g is a rather p e r s o n a l decision, o n e that y o u will h a v e to l o o k into b e f o r e you t a k e a c a l l . Make a decision o n l y when y o u are s u r e they w i l l let y o u r child b e comfortable.

M o m s , have y o u ever e n r o l l e d your c h i l d with a n y child m o d e l i n g agency o r tried t o do s o ? Tell u s here.

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