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Original poster

Would you let your child model?

38 replies

Cravingchocolatemousse · 20/05/2022 11:50

Dd is almost 4, I was asked if she’d want to model for kids clothing company shoot (reputable company, some friends with them etc)
I keep going between thinking it’s a day of fun playing on the beach, bit of extra money for her…to thinking it’s not quite right, who will see the pictures, she can’t quite understand what she’s consenting to?
Any thoughts?

OP posts:
ladygindiva · 20/05/2022 11:52

Sounds fine. My eldest dc was a baby model for those baby magazines. If you're constantly present and overseeing the situation and making sure she's safe and happy I can't see a problem. My dd loves the fact she was in magazines as a baby.

ToDust · 20/05/2022 11:54

No, one of mine was approached numerous times (though a boy)

A whole mix of reasons, including adult friends who’d modelled as children and seemed to have an unhealthy attitude.

One of my son’s friends still models, at the moment he’s dealing with a really bad fringe cut into his Afro hair by a white stylist and is annoyed. It seems silly, he’s not really keen on it either. He’s a beautiful child and well balanced, but it’s clearly an irritation.

My girls I’d be even more wary, though they’ve never been approached so it’s not an issue.

PurBal · 20/05/2022 11:54

We wouldn’t but we also don’t have any photos of DS on social media. We made the decision that he can’t consent to us sharing his image. The same would apply to modelling even if it is for financial gain.

worraliberty · 20/05/2022 11:58

My thoughts are how is it any different to the millions of kids whose parents insist on putting their photos on social media, under the guise of Aunt Doris and Uncle Bob wanting to see them in Timbuktu?

Rubyupbeat · 20/05/2022 12:04

Mine modelled from babies, we were approached when living in the U.S. and carried on in the UK. The youngest in a couple of tv Pampers adverts and both in lots of mothercare, oshkosh and Benetton campaigns. Plus the usual catalogue modelling. They both enjoyed themselves, but got fed up with it at around 7 ish as they were more into their sports and clubs. I never pushed them .
As for their consent, well if they had ever kicked off, I would have immediately taken them out of the situation.

orwellwasright · 20/05/2022 12:38

No, he looks like a potato.

CoalCraft · 20/05/2022 12:40

I don't see the harm as a one off - she'd be too young to read too much into it I think. I wouldn't make a habit of it, though.

ArnoldBee · 20/05/2022 12:45

Depends on your outlook.on life. I've never done the Bonniest baby competitions either. After watching Leaving Neverland I came away from it thinking the greatest gift I have given my children is a really boring normal childhood.

cornflakedreams · 20/05/2022 12:53

No.

MochaHoldTheMilkAndCoffee · 20/05/2022 12:53

orwellwasright · 20/05/2022 12:38

No, he looks like a potato.

😂😂😂

Beees · 20/05/2022 12:57

No but then your child isn't my child so obviously what I do may not be what you chose to do. My DS also doesn't have his photo online though so it would be easy for me to say no to modelling.

I have to say however the attitude of the 3 children I have taught over the years who modelled would have been enough to put me off my child doing it regardless. They were very look orientated even at 3/4 years old and one refused to listen in lessons as he didn't need to learn because his modelling would make him lots of money.

I'm sure there are many children without that attitude but it was very noticeable that all 3 of them were very entitled and thought themselves better than their peers even as small children.

MiddleParking · 20/05/2022 12:57

Mean as it sounds I always assume child models have lunatic parents, and I wouldn’t want people to think that about us Blush

Rory1234 · 20/05/2022 13:02

I got approached a few times about my eldest when he was a baby/toddler.

Had it been a specific company (Next, Mothercare, whoever) I probably would have done it to get him started with some savings but I was approached by agencies and the thought of taking my baby/toddler to castings gave me the ick.

MiseryWIthAStent · 20/05/2022 13:04

My Dd was in a few TTS magazines and books.

Steamoutmyears · 20/05/2022 13:06

Provided it's not a big deal to you and they're an extrovert, I really don't see this as a big deal. It's usually games at this stage and it's a bit of cash against the day they're a hard up student.

If it becomes a past time and you begin to feel their identity rests on it, or if they become self conscious, I'd simply not do it again.

thecartofhelena · 20/05/2022 13:07

My son was approached to model and asked to appear in a TV show, we did the TV show , but he was only 2 and really didnt enjoy all the standing around and different clothes required, so I turned down all the modelling as I didnt feel that it was in his best interests

InChocolateWeTrust · 20/05/2022 13:10

Nope but I don't really put much on social media either.

Also I don't think either of mine have the sort of looks that get noticed, and tbh I wouldnt want them to ever think it mattered what they look like.

Lavenderlast · 20/05/2022 13:16

Nope. And definitely not in beachwear. I want my child to have as much control as possible over her digital footprint, and once you’ve signed the model release, the images can be resold many times for all sorts of things without your further consent. Many adult models have struggled to get their rights back because the photo is beingnusednin a way they don’t want. Eg this model didn’t appreciate posters hsing her image and saying she was HIV positive petapixel.com/2013/09/22/model-sues-getty-seeing-hiv-positive-advertisement/

Plus I’m trying to teach my child that how you behave and how you feel is far more important than how you look, and having to hang around bored all day with adults obsessed with appearances and putting make up on toddlers seems to me to contradict my messaging.

angieloumc · 20/05/2022 13:21

orwellwasright · 20/05/2022 12:38

No, he looks like a potato.

A very beautiful one though I'm sure 😆

Gizacluethen · 20/05/2022 13:23

No it gives the the ick. Beauty pageants, models it just makes me feel a bit uncomfortable the idea of valuing a child's attractiveness.

FabulousKilljoys · 20/05/2022 13:25

Mine modelled as toddlers, and then again aged around 7/8. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience as it was just a fun thing to do with no pressure, and they got to visit some cool places for the shoot. They also did a couple of catwalk shows locally, once again a fun thing to do and they loved it.

Reallyreallyborednow · 20/05/2022 13:33

No. My dd was scouted aged about 2.

however looking into it it would have needed me to give up work to drag her round to auditions, long days on shoots etc. not for me, or her.

CautiousOptimist · 20/05/2022 13:45

My sons are represented by an agent and have both done adverts although never modelling, it just hasn't worked out that way.
We've spent a few years doing self tapes, castings etc. and had some luck. The industry is nuts to be honest (well I think so), and the process can be a real pain - short notice, missing after school clubs for a 5 minute chat 90 minutes away in London etc. I find the whole thing fascinating which is why we've done it for a while.
The filming itself is brilliant fun, I'm sure your shoot would be too, so if you think your daughter would enjoy it give it a go.

ChagSameachDoreen · 20/05/2022 13:47

Not in a million years.

Marvellousmadness · 20/05/2022 13:47

A boy. Yes
A girl no...
Its not a good environment for young girls.

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