If everyone says your child is so cute then avoid wasting time and money and find out if your baby or child could become a model.

Kids modeling is a great way to build your childs self-confidence and introduce them to new character building activities other than just sports.   Baby modeling and child modeling have become a huge niche modeling category because of the explosion of commercial media over the past several decades. Many young actresses, notably Katherine Heigl, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Brooke Shields, began as child models and are now household names on television and in movies.
 

 
We have, recently signed a contract with Ford Models for our daughter. The only costs they charge are $20/yr to use some online scheduling program, and $15/mo to maintain our daughter’s online portfolio. They did suggest a few professional photographers to use, if we choose to do so, but by no means was it required for forced. I think professional photographs are useful for portfolios if you’re serious about it, but I think you can also get by with amateur photos. For us, we’re going to use the amateur photos until we get a couple bookings and then take professional photos. – model parent

The Looks

Assessing your childs looks for modeling is completely subjective and each agency has a wide variety of ‘looks’ for kids because their clients’ advertising range is so broad. This is precisely why Do I Look Like A Model professionals can help – by ascertaining if your child has any potential and if so, which photographs are the ones that will immediately grab an agents eye and interest. 

In general, your child should be average in weight (not under-weight) and have an outgoing personality.  Some children light up for the camera. If your child is like this, then child modeling is an avenue worth pusuing. 

Baby modeling is perfect for babies that everyone thinks are cute, not just your family.  Clients that book baby models or child models need kids that everyone thinks are cute because that means their looks appeal to a broad audience which is what makes advertising successful.

Child models with the ‘right looks’ and personalities can turn a fun hobby into a very lucrative career.  Kids can earn from $75/hour for a small photo shoot to over $10,000 for television commercials and millions for television shows and movies.  However, just because it’s an exciting and potentially money-making opportunity doesn’t always mean that your child is well suited for modeling.  

The Attitude

Our industry experts’ best advice for parents just getting started is that when you get your answer from us and discover that your daughter or son has potential in modeling then talk to your kids.   

Is your child really outgoing? Does he like a lot of attention? Can he handle everyone looking at him and telling him what to do? Everyone told us to get our kids into modeling because they are gorgeous and photogenic. Yes, total strangers would stop to stare and admire them. Even my OB did an double take commented on how striking my son was as an infant. We didn’t do it because it didn’t suit their personalities. I waited until they were old enough to weigh in on the subject, and they both said No. - Alison

Kids modeling is the same as teens and adults modeling; it is competitive and requires more than good looks.  Successful models have an outgoing personality, are professional at work and look healthy and happy.  Being handsome or pretty is great for broad appeal to a range of advertisers, however, it’s not just about being cute.  Flip through magazines and watch the Disney channel and you will see that the kids are happy, have their own little personalities and are outgoing.  These personality traits are precisely why it is important to talk with your kids about how they feel about having to turn ‘on’ their personalities infront of cameras and an audience of staff.

Once you’ve used Do I Look Like A Model? you will discover your child’s modeling potential and have confidence in approaching industry professionals.  Established agencies will meet with you and your child and go over what you’ll need to get started.  In the beginning it’s mostly time.  As parents, you’ll be responsible for driving your child to go-sees and sitting with them through auditions.  Obviously, the most important responsibility you have is to your child and to make the experience fun and not-demanding or stressed.

The Agent

In practice, most modeling jobs go to children who have already worked as models and have developed a working relationship with a modeling agency. For prospective models, the challenge is to land the first job. This usually happens through referrals by people already involved in modeling. It’s also possible to land jobs by contacting modeling agencies directly. Occasionally, a child may be “discovered” in a public place or through other grassroots means, such as:

• Competing in local and national beauty contests
• Working with local retailers for small-scale modeling
• Entering mall fashion shows
• Entering photo contests

Once your child is signed with an agency check with them on their requirements about participating in competitions, schools and professional photos.  Our experts can share hundreds of stories of parents scammed out of thousands of dollars for unusable photos, ‘training’ and all sorts of ingenious scams and ‘must haves’.  Be careful and be aware – if it sounds too good to be true then it’s fake and if it promises a career then it’s a lie.  Modeling is a career, not a winning lotto ticket.  

Make sure which ever agency you choose, you do not fall for expensive ”training”. That is a scam. Your child does not need training to smile and take direction. No legitimate modeling agency charges for training or classes. They take a usually 10 percent or so fee right off the top for each job they get you. Be ready because for every job you get, you get about 20 rejections. Make it fun. - Jennifer