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How To Get Your Child Started In Modeling
Presented here is a basic overview to help educate you on what can be expected when you make that “step” into the field of child modeling.Modeling for children is a career; it is neither easy nor immediate. You need to prepare yourself and your child.
NOTE: Children that are shy and have to be coaxed to interact naturally with new people don’t usually make good models. Kids should be comfortable in front of the camera. No matter how cute or perfect for modeling your child is, if he or she is shy and freezes up, you may want to reconsider.
When I am casting for a project, I have talent bring me photos, lots of recent photos if they have no experience. In addition to looking for the type or look I need, I use photos tell me if the person is photogenic, if they enjoy being in front of the camera and whether they can be animated and versatile.
You as the parent have to prepare yourself as well. You need to educate yourself since you will be involved in the process every step of the way.
You the parent will be performing the duties of a personal manager. You should know how to market your child, oversee the legalities involved in child modeling including but not limited to contract negotiations, bookkeeping and preparation of marketing materials such as photos. Don’t forget the most important aspect, protecting your child.
(Be aware how to protect your child and family), for instance do not incude home addresses on your childs resume, all contact information should be limited. You will be submitting materials to all sorts of projects and the information you give must be carefully considered especially when it is a child. This carefulness extends to the internet, the World Wide Web allows you more exposure to people all over the world, and this includes unsavory characters and questionable companies.
If you are ready to jump in below is an overview of how to begin.
Successful child models are outgoing, love the camera and have no problems meeting and working with diverse people and situations.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
1- Talk to your child, make sure that they understand what it takes to be a model and make sure this is something your child wants.
2- Break out your camera and take clear photos of your child, take them over a couple of weeks. Take clear head and shoulder headshots and full body shots. DO NOT take pictures in your living room, bedroom or anywhere the background shows the interior of your home. Take your photos against plain backgrounds.
Consider going to the park or a place where your child enjoys and take shots making sure the background is not cluttered.
Fill the frame of your photo with your child. (The point of these pictures is to take pictures of your child not the scenery.) You can add in a few props such as a basketball for a boy , a girl school books or sporting gear is one idea.
Casting personnel are interested in what your child looks like, how they photograph and how they react in front of a camera.
3-Begin your search for an agent or agency in your area, bring the photos you took with you and prepare a résumé to include with your pictures. You do not have to have any experience to begin a résumé, you can list your child’s stats, abilities and interests and YOUR contact information for starters. If you are an EFM member you know that we have a résumé generator for you to use as well as resume samples online.
To research agents in your area, you can start on the internet, your local phone book or the library. When looking for an agent you need to be diligent in locating good reputable ones. Let's face it; there are many agents, agencies and scam operations out there.
You need to understand as much as possible before meeting with agents as to what is considered industry standard. This helps you spot companies not so reputable.
Make as many appointments as you can, take the attitude that you are interviewing them when they are interviewing you. So prepare all your issues and questions beforehand.
Understand the contracts, the commission schedule, if you are signing an exclusive vs. a non-exclusive contract.
Read the contract carefully and be sure you understand what you are signing and NEVER, NEVER NEVER give them any money! Agents receive a percentage of your child’s earning usually between 10 and 20 per cent of the gross earnings.
Before you do anything, research, research and more research to make sure that you do not get into situations that you may regret.
Have questions prepared for the agency, be sure to show up on time and if anything does not sound right or you are unsure, tell them you want to think about it.
This is not something to just jump into with your eyes closed and see where you land.
Visit as many agencies as you can. Once you have exposed yourself to the world of agents and interviews. You should begin getting a good grasp of what is standard and what is not.
If want to get serious, I suggest read you a number of books published on the subject of child modeling first. There are a number of them addressing all aspects of child modeling.
Modeling is a career, you are preparing in the same manner as you would for a regular everyday job. Be armed with knowledge.
4- Marketing your child is something that every parent should know. There are many opportunities out there. Your agent is not aware of everything, so if your learn how to market your child, you may be the one that gets them in the JC Penny Fall Catalogue for example.
There are a number of websites that post models for casting personnel seeking models for their projects. This is another avenue to consider, you could procure a web page so you have an online link that casting personnel can view over the internet (this is known as an online electronic resume).
Your web page would display your child’s photos, stats and résumé. This is really great tool when you are submitting via email as well. It allows you to minimize attachments and show a number of photos without having to send attachments that may or may not get delivered or downloaded properly. (See our post in the EFM Forum on how to properly prepare your email submissions)
ExtrasForMovies.com for instance offers state listings or web pages for only 10-25 dollars a year. All ages and levels of experience get inquiries after getting posted on the ExtrasForMovies.com web site.
5- Now you have an agent, or beginning to submit and attendauditions, be prepared. Understand the audition process and be ready for rejection too.
Be sure to talk to your child about rejection. Casting personnel have an idea of the type they are seeking, if your child does not fit the look they will not get called back. So educate your child so that when they attend auditions, they will not be nervous or disappointed should they not get picked.
Few Closing Words
Never pay anyone to get you work, if they ask for money then it is not an agency, it may be a school or company selling photos or just one of the many scams that take hopefuls for their money.
Be sure to check out the agencies you visit. One place would be the Better Business Bureau another is easybackgroundcheck.com
Develop an eye to take good pictures of your child. You can always go to a photographer if you can afford it but kids change so fast that updated photos will be needed often. So take the best pictures you can if planning to do it yourself in the beginning. As your child gets more and more involved, he/she will build a portfolio step by step.
Modeling can be an enjoyable career or part time project for both you and your child. Be sure to keep it in perspective, relax and take it as it comes. Have fun with it.
Chris Johnson - EFM Staff Member