I am interested in getting my child into 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.
 

Modeling Terms

  • Phone Calls: Please remember to check in with the agency only if you are accepted with the agency.
  • Composites: Always makes sure the agency has plenty composite cards on hand. Order more when necessary.
  • Bookings: Jobs for print, runway, promotions, TV or Film. If you accept a booking you must follow through with the job, no excuses. If you do not show up for a booking, it will be you last.
  • " Go-Sees": Remember to follow through on a go-see. A client cannot book you if they do not see you. If you accept a go see, you must show up.
  • Taxes: Models are considered self-employed. Everything you purchase that you need in order to pursue a modeling career, saving you receipts, it's a tax deductible. You will be provided with a 1099 earning statement at the end of the year only if you earn of $600.00
  • Runway: A catwalk or runway is used. Models or 5'9-5'11 are required to model the designer's clothes. Local retail and vendors look on as models show off latest designs.
  • Print: Catalog/editorial/commercial work. Models 5'8 and up normally. There are exceptions for this though.
  • Video: Can be non-union or Union: Better known as SAG or AFTRA. If you do a union job once you do not have to join, but the second one you must.
  • Composites: Always makes sure the agency has plenty composite cards on hand. Order more when necessary. Commissions: The agency takes a 10% commission on all bookings. Bookings: Jobs for print, runway, promotions, TV or Film. If you accept a booking you must follow through with the job, no excuses. If you do not show up for a booking, it will be you last.
  • Release: On your vouchers it authorizes the client to use your photographs for advertising purposes; with out a release, a client cannot use the picture.
  • Contact Sheet: Rolls of film developed onto one 8 by 12 glossy easy viewing.
  • Tear Sheet: The advertisements in which models appear that tear out of magazines, newspapers, etc. to use in their books. Models are responsible for getting these from the clients. You are responsible to get two copies- one for yourself and one for the agency.
  • Travel Time: The pay you receive for the time you spend getting a booking outside the metropolitain area (25 miles or more from the city).
  • Voucher: A time sheet, which issued by the model to be paid for a booking. It shows the time, date, rate, client, product and job performed by the mode. It had three parts; one for the model (pink), one for the agency (yellow) and one for the client (white). The model and the client also must sign it and the model must return a copy to the agency. Weather Permit: A booking to be done on location where the weather is important to the booking; IE: weather permit/rain= booking is cancelled it rains and it will be rescheduled.
  • On hold: Clients has model on hold for a job.
  • Booked: Client has booked the model. You're hired.

    How to be a successful model tips:

  • Always cooperate with the clients, photographers and other modles.
  • Remember to always smile!
  • You should be on time for everything.
  • Be prepared for all of your assignments and remember to bring everything that is required of you to have and then some.
  • You should never argue with the clients. If there is a problem regarding rates or anything else, the agency will handle it.
  • Report leads and business back to the agency.
  • Do not gossip about anyone or anything, which might be going on.
  • Do not discuss one photographer with another photographer or client about work, clients, etc) · Never "cut up " or say anything derogatory about another model or agency.
  • You should not discuss leads or bookings with models from other agencies. Do not under any circumstances; reveal your "go-see" List to models at any other agencies, photographer's etc. Anything you hear in an agency should be considered privileged information. If you do not follow the rules, you will not remain a member of an agency.
  • Be professional at all time; in the agency, on an interview and at a booking/job
  • Always dress the part of a model when representing the agency.
  • Remember to be polite an articulate to all clients, photographers and other models.
  • Perform every job as well as you possibly can, as this will result in repeat bookings.
  • Always be on time for you interviews, castings and go-sees; do not keep a potential client waiting.
  • Do not discuss fees with the Client: The agency handles that.
  • Do not speak about personal problems on the job or with a client.
  • If you are unable to carry out a booking because of illness, do not replace yourself: call the agency as soon as possible and other arrangements will be made.
  • Do not bring personal company (husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, children or friends) to a job or on an interview.
  • We suggest that you do not date any clients.
  • Do not give out your telephone number to any clients or photographers. If they want to reach you, they should contact the agency.

    How to find an agency representation in your area
    Submit 3-5 snapshots (one close up and one full lenght) to the modeling agencies in the largest city near you. include your statistict, height, dress/suit size, measurements along with your name, address daytime phone number and any modeling experience you may have.
    If an agency is interested in representing you they will call you.

    For a resource listing in your area including

  • modeling agencies
  • casting companies
  • photographes
    Click here

    Bellow you will find the procedure for contacting a photographer.
    1) Introduce yourself to the photographer.
    2) I am calling to set up an appointment to discuss a possible testing with you.
    3) After establishing that you will be having a testing with a photographer, find out the cost of the session and what does that include. Pictures, locations, copies of photo's, makeup and Hair, styling etc.
    4) At the time of the shoot be prepared and act professional and remember to be exciting and creative. (Bring your ideas that you have put together for your portfolio)
    5) Remember, do not forget you appointment and be prompt. After having your testing, follow these guidelines: When you receive your contact sheets, select 2 or 3 of the best shots to enlarge to go into your portfolio. If possible, do this with the help of your photographer.
    1) Choose only one photo per outfit/background.
    2) After you prints are ready, put them in a portfolio.
    3. Enclosed in your portfolio, you should have a short resume: A. Name B. Telephone numbers C. Height, D. Weight E. Eye color F. Hair color G. Dress size, H. Shoe size I. Any experience you might have
    4. Put all your contact sheets in the back of the book for the agency to see. You should contact all the modeling agencies in your area and ask the agency what the procedures for reviewing portfolios are. Please follow all agencies reviewing procedures or you will not be considered a professional model.

    We hope that this information the we have compiled for you helps you bring your desire of becoming a professional model to reality. Remember, relax, have fun and be professional and good luck.

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