What do you think of Children Modeling? - Or if you have tips from the business..

~~*Missi*~~ wrote: My husband recieved a email from a modeling site about a job and while I was researching it I noticed that you can add a online profile for clients to see....
So I said ahhh what the heck lets see about Sabrina. I added her just as a joke really not thinking anything of it. This was Thrusday of last week.
Since then Sabrina has 7 bookings for several catalogs (in NYC & Albany), several magazines, and some print work.. I don't mind the driving I don't mind any of that... The catalogs are $650 a piece, magazine is $1000, and the print work is $500.
I would put this money away for her for college or really whatever she wants to do with it down the line.
Now that we are all signed up and ready to go LOL I have second thoughts am I doing the right thing. Am i pushing her? Am i traumatizing her? etc...... ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH i know that if she ever said mommy this stinks or mommy i don't want to do this I would stop in a heart beat But I also think this is a really cool opportunity for her for the money the stories travel etc.....

P.s I was watching Tv and Extra came on after the noon news it shocks me they have another story cause Britney TRIPPED MY lord is she the only woman in the world that has tripped while holding there child.... what now she shouldn't walk with her kid....
THIS IS THE ONE THING I DON'T WANT TO HAPPEN TO ME OR SABRINA.... say sabrina becomes famous i would hate for people to HOUND her every second of everyday and no matter what she does its analyzed and belittled... she tripped omg shoot her now. I don't like her music but i don't know the person so I can say whether i like her or dislike her. But i do think its hard for any of us to be mothers with out the press I can't imagine how hard it is to know everytime you breath its being watched.... Like the last pics that surfaced of her the car seat thing... a video finally surfaced her hair isn't even blowing in the rollers.... Yes i think she needs to tighten the straps but flip it reverse can't knock her for something i did with my peds approval..... sabrina's head still flops like that.. arghhh moral if soemthing ever came of sabrina's bookings etc... and she was britney in 25 yrs I would hate to see my baby constantly put down for everything and anything she does says etc.... you knwo.....

luvbug00 replied: Mya had been modeling since infantcy but we never got fully into it. She did photos for a coupple small busniness arround here but nothing big. smoe basic tips are

1. if they ask for money they are not ligit.
2. if they ask you to leave your child in the room alone, RUN!
3. They want to catch children in the moment. the people we worked with timed it so that they would catch your child at the best time of day for that perfect smile. So if they are easly annoyed then it time to a seek new photographer
4. they don't expect a one year old to have an extencive portphoilio but one nice head shot is helpful for them.
5. even with children they can be harsh and if your going to get mad when somone points out your childs inperfections this is not the industry for you. ( "you" being general)

we took mya to modeling classes until last year and we are not sure of wiether to return or not..

~~*Missi*~~ replied: No we haven't paid any money up front and the booker (agent whatever) took photos I had on photobucket as sabrina's "shots"

Number 2 LOL I laughed at that one cause it seems so common sense but I bet its not so..."common sense"

We have 7 bookings/jobs all are in or around NYC, they have her coming in at around 9am they said it should for her be over by 1 at the latest which works perfect with her sleeping etc... She wakes up at 8am and goes to nap about 1-130. We have to drive 6-8hours but we figure we will go up the night before each of these...

With the criticism as long as they approach me and not do it where Sabrina would hear and down the line understand thats fine.... I would just hate for someone to say ohh she looks fat( which 36in and 24lb doubt it) but if they did i would rather it be where she couldn't hear and obsess. At 19m obviously she doesn't understand but at 3, 4 on would and i would hate for it to cause a disorder or poor selfesteem.... they at least cautious of that right?

luvbug00 replied: it depends, but most of them are child concederate that way. You will actually rarely hear fat comments but most of teh time it was small stuff. her eybrows are too bushy, one needed straighter hair ( and we solved that one with a straightening iron) , Some want gentle faces, Mya's is more dramatic . stuff like that.

ashtonsmama replied: OK--my brother actually just started his twins in modeling about a year and a 1/2 ago, and they love taking pictures, they have fun, and it does bring in some money for college, etc. like you said. I would say: go for it, see how it feels, and if Sabrina doesn't like it, she cries, doesn't seem to be having fun, etc. stop. But you know what--I really wouldn't be worrying that she'll turn out like Britney Spears or turn out with an eating disorder at 3 or 4, etc. She'll be fine. That's my opinion. Let us know how it goes. I'd love to do something similar with A in the future, but now that another baby is coming, I don't know if I could handle it! But I've been checking it out since I was PG with him, and after watching that DHC show on Expecting Models have been talking with them and emailing them some shots of me, so I may do some PG modeling if my belly doesn't blow up...we'll see. It's all a big IF.
KUP.

mckayleesmom replied:
I think you should do what you feel comfortable doing with your child. I would like to point out that, that is an awfully long drive, with gas money and hotels...You won't be getting that much after you deduct the expense to get there. Unless the model shoots are all on the same day...its not really worth it in my opinion.

ilovemybaby replied: I have nothing against child modelling if it's tasteful. What I mean is... they're not wearing bikinis or skimpy clothing. I love looking through the baby clothes magazines. So cute! Sabrina is definitely the girl for those magazines She is beautiful!
I think as long as she isn't unhappy doing the shoots and you aren't pressuring her any more than you would be trying to get her to smile for a professional baby photo then there's nothing wrong with that!

And the most important thing is that you aren't going to be spending the money all on yourself. For example... my auntie has been accused of using her sons piano busking money to pay their bills etc. But all the money was going towards their own wants. They wanted to pay for their sister to go to the Royal Ballet school in London (she is there now) and they were saving that money for that.

I hope the shoots go well! (if you do them)

ions_momma replied: My nephew has done modeling since he was two. I dont really know very much about it though. All that I know is that you have to get the child a working permit before they can do anything. My sister put the money he made in a fund for his college. He really enjoys doing it, but he doesnt very often anymore because he is in school and his agent lives four hours away. They might be moving soon though, and he really wants to start doing it again. He really seems to enjoy it!

Good Luck if you decide to do it! Be sure to let us know so we can be on the lookout for Sabrina in Magazines!!

My3LilMonkeys replied: No tips here because that's not my thing nor do either of my children have the right personality for it - but good luck to you! If anything she does is national (or even regional, I'm only a few hours from NYC) let us know where we can see her!

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: I agree with Brianne...I would just make sure that the cost to get to the shoot (gas, your time, eating out, new clothes, etc) are much less than what you're actually making, so that it is somewhat of a profit. And I would just be strict about sticking to a schedule. If they push you to stay for a couple more hours, I would totally put my foot down. I would have everything in writing upfront.

~~*Missi*~~ replied:
I think I forgot to mention the reasons I do not mind the traveling and stuff is because its paid for in full. With the calls that Sabrina recieved knowing she is a child/baby they cover all travel cost beyond a hour of the home so that the child is most comfortable. So in other words for the ones in albany and NYC since they are both well over 4hours from the house we reside, our room and travel costs are paid for. I believe that we will be taking train or place but I told the agent that we wouldn't mind driving. They assured me that its all covered the room is booked in advanced for us and gas etc.. I just submit my reciepts and its reimbursed.

I think we are going to go inlight of it to see how she does and if she doesn't do well we will at least finish out the 7 that we have calls for and then do no more..... Since out of pocket cost for us is meals which we eat out all weekend usually anyways LOL

mckayleesmom replied:
Well....no offense, I hope that this is ligit...It kind of sounds like a scam to me. I wouldn't go unless I had proof that everything was paid for.

punkeemunkee'smom replied: I have to say that I would be EXTREMELY careful. I have never heard of all expenses being paid without something being up. Are you under any contract?(to the agency or client?) What is the agent's cut off the top? Is Sabrina the only child they are using or is this a 'cattle call' photo shoot? Do you know anyone else who has done this and had a good experience? I truly hope it is all on the up and up-maybe try to find out for sure before you go-better safe than sorry right? She is BEAUTIFUL so I don't doubt that she would be a perfect print baby but I would hate to see you and her be taken advantage of!

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I have a friend whose daughter is a child model/actress. She has done a million ads/catalogs, commercials and several movies. She's NEVER been paid that much for a single shoot. They just don't pay that much. Not even well known actresses get that much for a magazine cover.

What I'm saying is, it's a LONG, LENGTHY process to get in with a good agency. You have a million go sees before they ever sign you on with them. I'd be very leary of someone who looked at my child's picture and wanted to sign them without even seeing them in person. ALL respectful child agencies will want to see your child first. If for nothing else, to see if your child is receptive and has a great personality for it.

This isn't sounding good at all. I want you to be very safe when considering this.