"Baby Wranglers": Looking for Moms of Babies Signed with Talent/model Agencies

Hi,
I work for a baby company and that is really common. Your son should be fine. Baby wranglers are like the kid's best friend and live toy. The wranglers don't do anything bad. Rather they make silly faces and funny noises to entertain the baby. so if anything your son is getting live entertainment for a little while and the company gets the pictures they are looking for. A wrangler is trained to be able to help your son position himself into taking really amazing shots that the company needs. For example, if they need a baby to look like he's sleeping, but can't get the baby to sleep, then the wrangler is trained in having the baby look down in a certain way so that it looks like he's sleeping in the picture, while actually he 's just looking down. Things like that.
Definitely do your research, meet the wrangler and you will find they are usually just super nice and friendly and easy going so that everyone, including your son, is at ease.
Many times parents cause more stress for the baby, because the baby is too wrapped in being with mommy or daddy and will cry for them. But when taken out of the room for a few, they adapt very easily to being around the wrangler and that is really important. A good wrangler will do a quick bonding period with your son so that they are comfy with the hand off from mom to wrangler. As long as you don't let yourself look stressed, the baby will take his cue from you and be happy too.
Good luck,
Photoshoot Coordinator

Hi A.,
Well, first of all, I can understand not wanting to have your baby in another room with strangers. Especially if you couldn't at least see what was going on through a one way mirror or something. I would feel the same way...
You don't want to do something that could possibly put your son in danger.

That said, I believe the reason that they use a "baby wrangler" is because the child will react totally differently if a parent is around. I am a photographer and I can't tell you how much better some kids will behave if they don't have mommy there telling them to smile or "perform" in some way. I think the parent's stress of wanting their child's photos to be perfect rubs off on the kids and just makes it impossible to get a good reaction out of them.
If this agency is professional, then everything should be fine. There are so many laws out there protecting kids in "the industry." Just use your best judgement and if anything seems fishy, pick up and leave!
Good luck with everything!
~T.
www.PhotographybyTracy.com

I was called in to a top agency when my daughter was 3 1/2, but decided against pursuing this once they said that she'd need to be able to go into auditions and casting calls without me. I did not think that was a message I wanted her to get - that it's perfectly all right to go with strangers. I understand the need, but I don't think it's a safe practice, giving children confusing messages about personal safety. I am going to wait until she decides she wants to do it and doesn't need me there.

Hi A.,

I know this sounds crazy - some stranger walking away with my baby! But, it is totally normal. My daughter is also with an agency and on her most recent shoot last week, the baby nurse was AMAZING! They are the most gentle, kind, nurturing people. They play with them in a common area and then when it's time to go no set (which, in this case, was about 10 feet from the play area was) they continue playing with them and make silly faces/noises to get the kids to smile. At one point, I stood behind to watch the shoot and my daughter saw me and started walking towards me, instead of staying on set. This is usually why it's better for the parents of kids that are older than 1 to stay out of their line of sight. Now, when she was younger (about 7 months) I was standing right next to the wrangler helping her get the baby's attention. I have found that the entire crew, from photographer, assistants and stylists to be incredibly patient and kind as they work with kids all the time.
Hope this helps!

A.,
Having worked in the entertainment business, I can confirm the advice of the photographer. Children act differently when the parent is around. If you aren't ready to hand over your child, then you aren't ready for the business. Children take their cues from their parents, your anxiety will be translated in your child's behavior. Time is money and the entertainment business does not want to waste time and money on unprofessional behavior, no matter how cute your child is. There is always another around the corner.
Sounds harsh, but that is the reality.
Wendy

Hi A.,
It is not typical for a child of your son's age to be taken away from the parent during a casting or on set. Are you meeting with Osbrink? They required my son (who was 18 months at the time) to leave me and go with the agent. He cried so they asked him to come back when he was older b/c they liked his look. Turns out another agency was interested in him so we went with them. I now have 2 sons with this agency.

Osbrink is a great agency, so I wouldn't worry about having your child leave you. I think that's just how Osbrink gauges the child's temperment for acting since they can't communicate yet.

When my older son was younger, I was in all castings and on set with him. He is 4 now and just went on a casting where they asked the parent to wait outside. He told me every detail about what happened in the casting. There has only been one time where my younger son (1 yr) was taken in without me. I just asked the casting agent what they are doing with them and they told me. So it does happen but it's very rare at this young age.

Anyway, a Baby Wrangler is a person who entertains the kids before and during the shoot so they are comfortable on the set. This person is typically also the Teacher and/or Nurse. The people on the set and castings are always nice. But if you feel uncomfortable, always speak up.

Good luck!
M.

Hi A.,

I'm a photographer and have shot young children before with a "baby wrangler". This is a very misleading title. It sounds crazy but it's just a person who works well with children. The woman I worked with was fabulous! She had many years of exp and was really great with the kids. The people that work with kids on set are also there to make sure parents & photographers aren't working the kids too long. There are very strict rules on breaks and things.

Just realize if you are taking your son down that path, it's a lot of work. A lot of driving, waiting, casting calls, etc. If he's into having his photo taken and he's really good with strangers, it might work for him. But just prepare yourself ;-)

Good luck!