What makes a successful child model?
Child modeling is similar to the world of tween, teen and young adult modeling in many ways, but there are a few key differences as kids that possess certain attributes will have a much better chance of success.
1. If your child is small for their age that's a plus because that will enable them to play younger roles in print jobs and commercials because, for example, a 4 year old that looks 3 will usually be more capable of taking direction than an actual 3 year old.
2. Child models need to have a cheerful disposition and an outgoing personality.
3. Child models need to be need to be able to take direction.
4. Child models need to have some acting ability, not in the way you might normally think of acting ability, but more like by having an active imagination.
5. The child has to want to model and have fun doing it.
6. Parents have to be supportive but not pushy or critical and at least one parent has to have a flexible enough schedule that they can take the child to castings and bookings.
7. The closer you live to a a major market the better. New York City, Los Angeles, Orange County, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, San Diego, Miami, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, for example, are all good first and secondary markets.
8. Child modeling pays pays less than adult modeling pays. Approximately $100 to $125 per hour minimum for child models as opposed to $200 to $250 minimum per hour for adults.
9. Child models are not expected to have an elaborate portfolio because they grow and change so quickly. All you will need is a few current professional pictures and comp cards, both printed card versions and digital versions. Don't let anyone tell you that you need one and not the other as you will be making a very serious career killing mistake.
10. Your child's photographs need to have a fresh, young and natural age appropriate look to them - NOT a pageant / Barbie Doll look - in order for them to be taken seriously.
11. Kids photos should NOT be in a glamorous, portrait or high fashion style and they should NOT look like they have been overly retouched which means that 99% of the so called professional photographers in the world will not have the know how to create them. You need to find a photographer that specializes in child models with credentials and a long track record as your chances of getting anything usable from someone without these attributes are zero.
12. After you get with a few agencies, keep them updated with new photos every few months. If your child's height and/or clothing size changes you should notify all of the agencies that you're workin with as it would be a big waste of time for you, the casting directors and the agencies for the child to show up to interviews, castings or auditions if they do not look the same in person as they do on their comp cards and/or if they do not meet the height and/or clothing size requirements for what is being cast.
13. Children should always have a parent or guardian accompany them to castings and bookings, of course, but smart parents will keep a low profile and let the child talk and answer questions, etc. as much as possible. And parents should never attempt to give the child direction while on the set unless specifically asked to do so by the director and/or the photographer.
14. There is a huge industry that preys on the parents of beginner child models and actors by providing worthless amateur photo shoots, acting lessons, runway lessons, workshops, access to talent and modeling conventions and dozens of other things that will do you and your kids more harm than good - not to mention you will probably go broke in the process. Nothing they have to say should be taken seriously or counted on to advance your child's modeling or acting career. A much more likely scenario is that all your child will come away with are bad habits that will be very hard to break. So seek and accept advice ONLY from someone that will give you straight answers to your questions instead of telling you what you want to hear.
15. Similarly, your child's chances of getting work off of pay to play 'internet agencies are close to zero as no internet agency, or modeling school, or training center, or website 'exposure' to casting directors or modeling convention is going to do anything whatsoever except drain your wallet.
Want proof positive that 'Photos by Moda Kids Photography' on a kids comp cards can make a huge difference in the quantity and quality of their bookings? Talk to a few of the parents of the dozens of top child models we have launched. (Complete documentation available upon request.)
Click HERE to request more info, dates and times
Child modeling is similar to the world of tween, teen and young adult modeling in many ways, but there are a few key differences as kids that possess certain attributes will have a much better chance of success.
1. If your child is small for their age that's a plus because that will enable them to play younger roles in print jobs and commercials because, for example, a 4 year old that looks 3 will usually be more capable of taking direction than an actual 3 year old.
2. Child models need to have a cheerful disposition and an outgoing personality.
3. Child models need to be need to be able to take direction.
4. Child models need to have some acting ability, not in the way you might normally think of acting ability, but more like by having an active imagination.
5. The child has to want to model and have fun doing it.
6. Parents have to be supportive but not pushy or critical and at least one parent has to have a flexible enough schedule that they can take the child to castings and bookings.
7. The closer you live to a a major market the better. New York City, Los Angeles, Orange County, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, San Diego, Miami, Miami Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, for example, are all good first and secondary markets.
8. Child modeling pays pays less than adult modeling pays. Approximately $100 to $125 per hour minimum for child models as opposed to $200 to $250 minimum per hour for adults.
9. Child models are not expected to have an elaborate portfolio because they grow and change so quickly. All you will need is a few current professional pictures and comp cards, both printed card versions and digital versions. Don't let anyone tell you that you need one and not the other as you will be making a very serious career killing mistake.
10. Your child's photographs need to have a fresh, young and natural age appropriate look to them - NOT a pageant / Barbie Doll look - in order for them to be taken seriously.
11. Kids photos should NOT be in a glamorous, portrait or high fashion style and they should NOT look like they have been overly retouched which means that 99% of the so called professional photographers in the world will not have the know how to create them. You need to find a photographer that specializes in child models with credentials and a long track record as your chances of getting anything usable from someone without these attributes are zero.
12. After you get with a few agencies, keep them updated with new photos every few months. If your child's height and/or clothing size changes you should notify all of the agencies that you're workin with as it would be a big waste of time for you, the casting directors and the agencies for the child to show up to interviews, castings or auditions if they do not look the same in person as they do on their comp cards and/or if they do not meet the height and/or clothing size requirements for what is being cast.
13. Children should always have a parent or guardian accompany them to castings and bookings, of course, but smart parents will keep a low profile and let the child talk and answer questions, etc. as much as possible. And parents should never attempt to give the child direction while on the set unless specifically asked to do so by the director and/or the photographer.
14. There is a huge industry that preys on the parents of beginner child models and actors by providing worthless amateur photo shoots, acting lessons, runway lessons, workshops, access to talent and modeling conventions and dozens of other things that will do you and your kids more harm than good - not to mention you will probably go broke in the process. Nothing they have to say should be taken seriously or counted on to advance your child's modeling or acting career. A much more likely scenario is that all your child will come away with are bad habits that will be very hard to break. So seek and accept advice ONLY from someone that will give you straight answers to your questions instead of telling you what you want to hear.
15. Similarly, your child's chances of getting work off of pay to play 'internet agencies are close to zero as no internet agency, or modeling school, or training center, or website 'exposure' to casting directors or modeling convention is going to do anything whatsoever except drain your wallet.
Want proof positive that 'Photos by Moda Kids Photography' on a kids comp cards can make a huge difference in the quantity and quality of their bookings? Talk to a few of the parents of the dozens of top child models we have launched. (Complete documentation available upon request.)
Click HERE to request more info, dates and times