Hi - I'm looking for advice on baby modeling. We have (of course :) the cutest baby, and people are constantly saying that we should put her in modeling. I think it could be kind of fun to see her picture in a print ad, etc - but know nothing of the process. Has anyone else tried this? What did you think? Was it fun, or a hassle? Also, someone told me that they think that that the first step of the process is seeing how the baby does without the parents in the room. Is that true? That's a deal-breaker for us. Thanks!
Caryn International and Moore I heard were good agencies. Places may have information as to what you need to do. I submitted my photo's to Caryn and just never heard back. I heard you need to be persistent and never pay. Lots of scams out there. I haven't gone any further than submitting pictures.
Hi-
My son appeared in an ad for Target stores when he was approx. 9 months old. I have a girlfriend who works on the print for all baby/kid items and it was her suggestion I bring him in. I took him in for a test shoot and they called me a few weeks later asking if I could bring him back for another test shoot, and then the real photo shoot the following day. I also had to send in 5x7 pictures and give them all his stats (weight, height, diaper size, etc.). We did not have to be separated during the shoot - in fact they wanted me right there so he wouldn't get anxious or cry. He did great!
My advice would be to make sure you can schedule around naps if at all possible, as it will make a big difference in your child's demeanor. Also know that you will more than likely get a W-2 for her at the end of the year if you do get any jobs, so know that you will need to provide her SSN# and can expect that at tax time.
My friend's 2 year old son is represented by The Wehmann Agency. http://www.wehmann.com She LOVES them! They only asked for an 8x10 photo of her son with his statistics and preferred it NOT to be professional. They then decided they liked him and asked for an interview. NEVER once did they ask for professional photos or money up front! They are extremely picky about making her son comfortable and working around HIS schedule, not theirs. They are a smaller agency (not as big as Caryn or Moore) however they still do big names such as Parenting Magazine and Target (both of which her son has done shoots for). He makes about $120 for an hour shoot and Wehmann only takes about $20 of it! She interviewed Caryn and Moore also but liked Wehmann the best. She said she would never go to Moore because they wanted their schedule, not her son's and they have such a big clientelle that her son would not get as many shoots. I'm hoping that Wehmann will soon represent my daughter too!! Good luck! Let me know how your search goes! I'd be happy to let you know if my daughter gets an interview and how the whole process went. I'll also ask my friend if it's ok if you ask her questions if you'd like :)
Besides being concerned about financial scams, this is also another way predators seek out children and vulnerable parents. Be careful! Never give out any personal information such address, or contact names, numbers until you know you're dealing with a legitimate agency. If you're dealing directly with a photographer demand they give you references that you personally check out, and I would even have professional criminal background checks done on them (whether it's a woman or man- sometimes people think if it's a female photographer it's okay). Even if you meet with a photographer in person, and they have a regular studio, a real-looking portfolio or seem nice and normal, this is no guarantee they're on the up and up. Alot of "photographers" run two businesses. Be careful who you submit pictures to. Once they have pictures of your child, you really have no way to control what they do with them. Especially if you work with a photographer or agency via the internet. There are many cases where a child's image is electronically tampered with only to be used in a non-legitmate "modeling" site if you know what I mean. If you suspect anything odd, notify authorities right away.
You have to be available with a very short notice to go on auditions or shoots usually.
NEVER ever ever pay anything, if they want you they will pay you. The only exception is you will usually need to pay a photographer and come up with a portfolio of photographs.
Caryn and Moore are the only legit agencies I know of in MN.
I tried to get my daughter into modeling as a baby and eventually gave up. My daughter is now7 and I still get the "you should put her in modeling"
They look for kids that stand out, something special or different about them or a child that's very unique looking and sticks out. A red head with freckles or very intriguing eyes etc. The child also has to be very photogentic not just adorable. Some people look great in realife but not that great photographed. Look at a Target ad it's not just the cute little caucasion blonde hair blue eyed kids anymore its' really changed alot. Biracial children with different mixes are really popular now days.
Hi! A good modeling agency would NEVER make the parents leave the room. Most babies start modeling at about 3months (for a "newborn" ad), so 7 months is a good age. I would start by calling agencies (i.e. Caryn's, there are many others). Most likely, they will want you to bring a portfolio (professional pictures of your baby) or at least some nice pictures you have taken. At some point you will have to create a professional portfolio and update it frequently since your baby changes so much. They will want to see how she does (you can be present) with someone else working with her and taking her picture. When you sign up, you may have to pay a fee, but all other fees should be taken out of the paychecks you receive. Have fun!
