Child Modeling: Young Faces Posing
Every parent thinks his or her child is the most beautiful creature walking the earth. If you feel the same, and are interested in turning your son's or daughter's stunning good looks into a career, then there are a few things you should know about the world of child modeling.
First off, realize that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The world of modeling goes through trends. Ten years ago blonde haired, blue eyed kids were seen as the epitome of beauty, which made them very sought out in the modeling world. Today's talent agencies and prospective clients are looking for kids that are more average looking Children with a more everyday, kid from your neighborhood look are getting more and more jobs every year. There are always exceptions to the rule, and a cute kid is still a cute kid, but that is not always enough either. He or she has to have a certain spark to succeed in this ultra competitive world.
The best place to begin your child's venture into the world of modeling is by having his or her pictures taken professionally. Ask the photographer to take pictures of your child's smiling face, and full body poses. Next, present this photos to any local talent or modeling agencies. Make sure to add the child's height, weight, shoe size, and date of birth to the back of a photo. Now it's time to schedule an interview. At this meeting, dress your child comfortably, and make sure he or she is fed and well rested. The agent may ask to speak to your child privately to get a feel for his or her comfort level with strangers, and to ascertain how spirited, funny, happy, serious, etc, your child is. A bright, happy personality is what these agents are looking for.
If one of the modeling agencies offers you a contract, read the fine print. Do not sign an exclusive contract, and make sure that it doesn't lasts for longer then two years. It is now the responsibility of your child's agent to secure work. These jobs can include anything from runway modeling and catalog work, to television appearances and magazine campaigns. Expect to accompany your child on several auditions,and prepare yourself for rejection. Whether or not your child is hired is based solely on a company's vision. They may want a child that has brown hair and green eyes, and your child might not meet that expectation.
A child model's compensation varies greatly, depending on the client and the campaign. Your child can expect to earn anywhere from $20/hour to $100/ hour, or more for each job. Many times the most well known companies pay the least amount of money, because working for them looks great on your child's resume. Obviously, television work is more lucrative. If your child lands a national TV ad campaign, he or she could be paid anywhere from $500 to $50,000, depending on the number of years the commercial airs. Before you quit your day job, realize that your child will make an average amount of money yearly, and he or she shouldn't be placed in the role of bread winner.
