Tween Modeling

I find it very creepy and would not let my 11 year old daughter do it. There are modeling agencies out there that are legit and even some of those probably are a little creepy! It wouldn't be worth it to me if it was a scam - whether just for money or more importantly the child!

Don't do it. Craigslist is FULL of scammers. A legit modeling agency will not ask for money, want to see him in person before signing a contract, they don't mail contracts either.

I would contact your local authorities to have this person/business or whatever it is checked out by them. This sounds very fishy to me. I modeled throughout my tween and teen years and never once had to pay for lessons (bunch of b.s.!), bring my own clothing, or do a shoot at a hotel. The part about them retaining rights to all pictures is normal, most agencies do this. And recruiting models and sending contracts to be signed without meeting in person is odd in the extreme.
Number one in all of this is to have them checked out by your local law enforcement. If this is putting up your red flags, then you shouldn't do it. I also wouldn't answer an ad for modeling of any sort coming from craigslist.
Good luck!

The beautiful thing about women is that we have awesome intuition. The bad thing about women is that we don't always listen to it. I do modeling and print work every now and then, so let me say that you need to RUN not walk away from this situation. Anybody can post an ad on Craigs list and say they are a modeling agency. Why on earth would you need to bring the clothing for a modeling shoot? That defeats the whole purpose. Advertisers already have their clothes picked out then they pick the models. They are looking for tweens then they bring their own clothes??? Serious red flag and definitately not a good situation in the least. I can't possibly know the specifics of how this is bad and you shouldn't go to find out. Just know that it's bad.

Look in the phone book under Talent Agencies. Call and find out if they have open casting calls. Some will say a certain day of the week for open calls to see if they are interested. If they like your child then you'll need to get headshots, that's it. You don't need to sign a contract. I work with two agencies on my own free will. No one would ever have someone sign a contract without seeing them in person. Sounds amateur and desperate.

There are pedophiles always looking to add photos to their collection. Please stay away from this situation, and go a more traditional route. It's up to you to know what's right and protect your child. They go where you lead them. Please don't lead them here. Craigs List is too sketchy.

Good Luck!

Go through a reputable talent agency. A modeling offer from Craigslist???

Here's what you need to do. Find local agencies, i.e. Agency Models & Talent, Caryn Agency, etc. Send two photos, one head and shoulders and one full length. Put on the envelope "New Talent." They will contact you if they are interested in your son becoming one of their talents. My daughter is listed with several local agencies in the Twin Cities. There is NO exclusive contract in this state!! Your son can be with as many agencies as he can be. The more agencies, the more opportunities. Whoever calls you first with an audition and/or job, they are who you put down as your representative. I will say there is some work locally, but not a lot. Good Luck!!

Follow your instincts. If it sounds fishy, it probably is. Besides, if they were legitimate why would you need to supply the clothing? And if it *is* legitimate, why shoudn't your tween get a percentage of the profits? And why would a legitimate modelling company need to post on CraigsList? Wouldn't they use the local paper?

Pay attention to your red flag. In a hotel suite? I don't think so! Do you really want your "young" son's photos "out there" everywhere? If your red flag is alerting you, I would definitely say NO THANKS!

I will assume with out looking, that everyone has indicated to you if your red flag alert is going up- you should say no! Go with your gut.

There are several reputable modeling agencies in the Mpls/St. Paul area. None would EVER advertise on craigslist. Report these people to the police, and if you want to get your son into modeling, call a REAL modeling agency and make an appointment to meet them at their offices.

I have a little different perspective on this. Models aren't just used for ads and such. I'm an art major. Fine arts. We have to build up our portfolios. Naturally we need to do portraits. So sometimes we would need to do a ad somewhere and I've known alot of my friends to do that on craigslist. Lots of people that do lots of things. Although I would ask for credentials, a summary, references, the university professor they are doing this for.... things of that nature. We would pry get a release so if the portrait or photo got attention in the future you wouldn't turn around and try and sue. A photographer would DEFINITELY get a release. Oh and we would ask you to use your own clothes because this isn't a traditional photo shoot like most would think it is. It's a modeling session that is more than likely just photos so you don't have to sit there for 6 hours while we work on our piece.

But just a side note. I along with all of my friends were happy to do this sort of work in open locations with lots of people around. I wouldn't have asked people in a million years to go to a secluded location. All the nudes I did... I did in class or used friends. I would never ask a stranger. So that is where my red flag comes up.

Trust your instincts, mom. Doesn't sound legit to me. You're being taken for a ride. And not just for the week-end.

I think you should listen to your gut, if it tells you something is off, then tell them no thanks. I also think Sharon gave you great advice.

Run, like the wind, and never look back, except maybe to report them....

The contract should have the legal business name of the modeling agency. Check it out to make sure it is is legit. Also find out if you are able to present at all times, if not - I think I would run. I have not heard of too many adverstisements for models done via craig's list. Trust your gut instincts - it it doesn't seem right, it probably isn't.

I think that if you can't find out anything on or about the modeling agency on the net you should go with your red flags. They might be legit but if they are, they should have clients who would be willing to talk with you to ease your fears or have a web site where all is explained. If there is nothing but business cards, well, anybody can have those printed, even print them themselves. Can you put the name up on here, maybe somebody on here has heard of them? Would you be with your son on the shoot? That would make a huge difference, make sure dad or an uncle is with him.

I did some modeling as a teen and all of those items were provided each time I had a "job". I think you are correct to have your red flags go up. I would run the other way.

Sounds fishy to me...

They have not even met your son? What is the name of the company? If red flags are going off, chances are this is not on the up and up. I would research their company before doing anything else. I would not be comfortable with this at all. Chances are, if the agency is really good, they would not need to be advertising on craigslist.
S.

You don't say who is doing this shoot. Is this an agency or a photographer? Check out the who in this situation. I would also contact a well known agency. I do know that Ford Models of New York was looking for child models. You should be able to find their website online and be able to contact them through their web site. You may also want to contact the Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) or AFTRA both have offices in Los Angeles and New York City. I don't believe there is a union for models but either of these actor's unions may be able to steer you in the correct direction.
I modeled many years ago and for shoots for the agency we brought our own clothes and shoes. Sometimes for client shoots too.
You need to know more about the shoot. Is this for an advertisment for the hotel or a product and they have chosen the hotel as their set? Are parents allowed to watch the actual shoot? Call the hotel and speak to a manager, ask questions. What do they know about the shoot and the people behind it. Laws vary from state to state, because of the abuses at the major studios in the early days of filmmaking California has some very strict laws about child actors and models. If you remember the filming of the"Twlight Zone Movie" in the '80's where actor Vic Morrow and 2 children were killed, the production company was filming in AZ to get past the laws in California. Had they been in California the children would have been off the set by 4:30 PM not still filming at 2:30 AM when the accident happened.
Child actors and models can make a considerable amount of money. I know a young lady who is paying for her college education with money she earned as a child model. The industry itself is not truely corrupt however individual photographers and agencies can be. Child predators can set themselves up as agents or photographers to find children to prey on. Also they can sell you expensive packages of photos etc to promote your child. These people are unethical. Do some homework, keep an eye on your child and if the situation is uncomfortable for you or your child back out. You can go to the shoot and if you don't like the situation say no and walk away. They could tell you they will blacklist you etc etc but don't listen to them. You can call the police explain the situation and ask that an officer come and speak to you and the photographer and agent. If you can have another adult there for you, your hubby, a friend, someone who isn't afraid of confrontation to dial 911 if the situation becomes a nightmare.