when i first joined mumsnet there was a huge bun fight about child modelling. did not read thread, however dd who is 13 and her friend seem to have applied, but need my permission...

[waikikamookau]

they texted her back and she needs to give my permission. obviously I am extremely dubious about this but she is pretty head strong. I am worried what will happen.

Why not give it? Have you checked the agency out?

will do

There was an item on Rip-off Britain this morning (BBC1) about child modelling and the amount of rip-off agencies out there. Make sure you check it out thoroughly and don't pay anything up front.

It will be a con. You need to check the AMA for a list of reputable agencies!

associationofmodelagents.org

My link will give you all the facts.

I was a model for many years. Both child and adult.

What part are you worried about? I've modelled my whole life...tell me what precisely concerns you and I can give you a very accurate account of what should be happening and any warning signs to look out for.

If she's got "it" then this could be the start of a very lucrative career for her.

thanks
she currently has to charge her mobile before I can see the text - I thought there would be loads of rip of agencies.

worried that they will rip us off financially, that any pics wont be appropriate. she told them she was 14, she is very nearly.

What is the agent? do you know that yet?

They will rip you off if they charge for 'test' pictures.

I don't think you will have any problems if you visit the agency yourself.

Genuine agencies won't let her do anything without your consent.

anyway, my link is the best place to check reputability!

It's a con,

If it was a reputable agency, they would be calling you in for a meeting.

I bet the next ask will be for money for photos, if they ask it's a con.

In all honesty I think any modelling agency that just tells a 13yo she needs to get permission from her parents by text is not likely to be very legitimate.

I assume she's sent her photo by text to them? I'd be having serious words with my 13yo if she did that. How did she/her friend get the number?

And...another red flag is that both your DD and her friend 'applied'

kids of your DD's age are normally 'scouted' anyway.

The teen market is tiny.

Ohhhh...sorry I did not read properly. If she's texted to apply somewhere then you can pretty much forget it. They'll want money for a portfolio and she'll never see a job.

Without sounding like an utter nob, there are two types of models... 1) genuine, attractive models, who tend to get either recommended, or spotted.... or 2) girls who just badly want to be models, and sadly don't meet the grade. Harsh but true. Having never seen her, I have no idea which camp she falls into. Hopefully the first :)

Take her to the Clothes Show. It's full of scouts. If she's actually worth her salt, she'll get spotted by a reputable agency. If no one approaches her, it is very unlikely she'll ever make any money so not worth trying to pursue.

Depending upon how legitimate the agency is I would give her my permission. My concerns would be similar to yours, mainly around how much the portfolio pictures are, what type of pictures are we talking about,who are the agency's clients and would she need an adult present. If successful it would be an excellent way for her to earn money whilst at college/uni or even as a fulltime career if that is what she wants to do.

The fact that this query is your DD 'and her friend' should tell you all you need to know. Yes, the Kate Mosses of the world were spotted whilst out in public, but this genuinely occurrences are rare, and they certainly don't come in twos.

Plenty of experience in the modelling world - whilst not maybe a complete scam, this company will charge you for portfolio shots and you might get one or two catalogue shoots, but nothing more. I'd put money on it.

mum but what op has described is not how the industry works!

I second a visit to the clothes show. Or look at my link and send them a picture.

They will tell her straight! :)

Send one of the agencies I mean.

On the news this morning, or maybe radio

I'm not v good in the mornings, but it was a con, that I know

Personally, I'm not crazy about a 13 year old modeling.

they rang, on behalf of pure space, which seem to be a photographic studio

they applied online btw. i am sure they just want to make money out of her/us.
they left a voice mail message saying how striking her features were, sounded very enthusiastic, but

Leave well alone op

Do as I suggested up thread. I was in the industry for years.