baby modeling?

raw1299

I filled out a form a few weeks ago at a local modeling agency for my DD, and they got back to me and said they were interested, and to set up an audition. People constantly come up to her, and say how beautiful/pretty she is. I think she is too, but i'm biased since i'm her mommy. She really likes the camera, and is very calm and quiet around strangers and high stress situations, that's why I was considering it. 

Would you have your LO model? 

botanicalbliss

People rarely say how pretty my baby is, so I don't think he would make the cut.

LaxMOM44

No my LO needs to go on a diet to properly pull off heroin chic. Congrats on your pretty baby!

TradeMama

I would never have time for that. From what I've heard, most baby modeling is a scam... Especially if you sign your baby up for it. Obviously every parent thinks their baby is the prettiest/smartest/best.

raw1299

This is a very reputable company, I know this place isn't a scam 

LaxMOM44

Just a tip about modelling. You aren't going to be making a lot of money. You will likely have to pay for some shots and registration stuff up front and the agency will take a big chunk plus once your LO is around 18 months (sometimes 2 years) the agency will drop you until your LO is 4 or 5 because no one wants to deal with toddlers on set. If they require a toddler they get a young looking 4 year old. So if you are doing it because you think it would be fun to than go for it, but modelling is rarely profitable and often very disheartening. Sorry to be a Debbie downer but I have worked as a commercial model, photographer's assistant and even at a modelling agency so I just want you to have a realistic view of what it is.

flyliceandcoffee

@LaxMOM44 - no wonder C is so adorable, she's got a model for a mom!

and nope, I think my baby is butt ugly and I don't want her to get any silly ideas that she's cute. when people come up to her and say she's the cutest baby they've ever seen I cover her ears because she doesn't need to hear that and get a big ego. But if you're into the modeling thing, go for it!

raw1299

LaxMOM44 said:

Just a tip about modelling. You aren't going to be making a lot of money. You will likely have to pay for some shots and registration stuff up front and the agency will take a big chunk plus once your LO is around 18 months (sometimes 2 years) the agency will drop you until your LO is 4 or 5 because no one wants to deal with toddlers on set. If they require a toddler they get a young looking 4 year old. So if you are doing it because you think it would be fun to than go for it, but modelling is rarely profitable and often very disheartening. Sorry to be a Debbie downer but I have worked as a commercial model, photographer's assistant and even at a modelling agency so I just want you to have a realistic view of what it is.

Thank you for your honesty. This modeling agency takes anywhere from 10-20%. Is that the norm for agencies? Edit: And they charge a annual fee to be on their database- anywhere from 25-75$. 

LaxMOM44

Shantxtell said:

Don't most people compliment babies that way?

Yep. Except V, she really is stupid cute an apparently a 9 month old genius.

C just dumped her dinner on the floor and started eating the plastic bowl so.....

Oohgurl

No, Jack will be 16 before he is allowed to have a job. 

LaxMOM44

Well that is industry standard but they will likely try and rip you off and say 20%. This is because you seem too eager. They know they can get 20 because you really want to do this and you have no other offers. I used to handle these intial callbacks for an agency so I can tell you right now that because you seem like you haven't done much research nor are you looking into other agencies I would be offering you 20%, portfolio and. Printing paid by you and I'd charge you for space on the website.


If you are really interested, research the other child agencies in your state. Apply to them and meet with all of them. Also do some research on the reality of child modelling. Learn about child labour laws and how to keep your child safe in a very unsafe and potentially emotionally damaging industry. Finally when you go to the audition present yourself not as a pushy stage mom, or star struck "my daughter is adorable" mom but as an intelligent well informed mother who is prepared to walk away if the best interests of her family are not met. Also you should be prepared to walk away.

Sorry for the honesty and lack of tact. I'm working on it.

Schell2013

If it was a couple cute pictures I'm for it, but I have the toddlers and tiaras image in my head when I think of children modelling. The parents are crazy and thats all their life revolves around all the time. IMO that's not right. I think kids should be kids and modelling doesn't sound like much of a childhood.

jedimindtrick

raw1299 said:

People constantly come up to her, and say how beautiful/pretty she is. I think she is too, but i'm biased since i'm her mommy 

Would you have your LO model? 

Really??????? **eyeroll**
8-|

LaxMOM44

That's asking for a gif ^

jedimindtrick

LaxMOM44

LaxMOM44

LaxMOM44

Oohgurl

Shoegal36

Ha, we found out at LO's 6 month apt. last week that she's in the 97th percentile for height so I've been joking all week that she's my plus size supermodel.

FmrAFBrat

NJAZgirl said:

raw1299 said:

People constantly come up to her, and say how beautiful/pretty she is. I think she is too, but i'm biased since i'm her mommy 

Would you have your LO model? 

Really??????? **eyeroll**


8-|

No offense and I don't mean this in a bad way but I get people stopping me in the store when we're out telling me what pretty girls I have.

:-? Last time I checked there were no bows and girly clothes in my boys wardrobe.

jedimindtrick

People usually tell me "oh, he's so average looking!"

emmy236

I'm pretty sure that agent was at our mall flagging down every parent who took their "gorgeous" child to see Santa.

Kissimi21

I agree with everything Lax has said.  Modeling agencies are there to make money for the agency. Your baby will essentially be a product to them. You need to do your research before you talk to an agent. 

I also modeled for years and I swear for every 1 legit agent I talked to, there was 20 promising the moon if I just paid for a portfolio, web space, call cards, etc...  Just because an agency is well known does not mean you and your baby won't get screwed around.

Oohgurl

LaxMOM44 said:

No my LO needs to go on a diet to properly pull off heroin chic. Congrats on your pretty baby!

watuzzigal

jedimindtrick

watuzzigal

@LaxMOM44

LaxMOM44

I love it I love it I love it!!!!!!

watuzzigal

jedimindtrick

God I love when a thread results in a gif war.

c-elizabethf

botanicalbliss

LaxMOM44

watuzzigal

jedimindtrick

LaxMOM44 said:

Ahh! How did we go so long without a Zoolander gif?

bhjones1980

NJAZgirl said:

Ahh! How did we go so long without a Zoolander gif?

YEP!  that just made the thread for me...

My DH has fallen under the spell of people telling us MJ is adorable, he keeps asking me to research baby modeling....

Um no!  unless they need a baby to play the "Michelin Baby"

raw1299

We decided to not do it- we'll wait until she can decide for herself. 

Sorry to burst everyone's bubble...

watuzzigal

LaxMOM44

raw1299 said:

We decided to not do it- we'll wait until she can decide for herself. 

Sorry to burst everyone's bubble...

Oh thank god I can finally go back to sleep. I was up all night worrying about yet another one of your business ideas.

LaxMOM44