Modelling for Babies

[Donna247]

does anyone know any models adacey for babys modeling?
or any websites for it?

hi perfumelady thanks for your reply x.
I just feel that i havent really heard from nc lately which is all part and parcel of the industry, but i have been watching this thread for a bit and noone ever seems to mention the agency. they have been established for years like es but theres just something about elisabeth smith, their reputation is great. Perhaps I have answered my own question!
I would just like to hear from other parents who have dealt with both agencies before I make a decision.
Ive worked as a freelancer for parenting magazines and they have used both agencies, but i think its really important to hear from mums and their experiences

I also get the feeling that BK aren't as picky as they make out. There is always a new face in my DD's category (Age 5) every couple of weeks. My DD has never had any luck and I seriously doubt whether many of these girls will either.

Hello everyone... I've not wrote for a while as my LO is still poorly. We are now having to pay lots of visits to doctors etc so its been a bit mad lately.
I see some people are sayin they are unhappy with BK I just wanna say when we first joined we were put forward for stuff straight away and only last week or so they called but as my LO is ill we couldnt accept.

I think for all agencies this time of year is really quite. I know BK do turn kids down as they turned down my friends baby and Im sure many others. I know the advice I was given was if most top agencies say yes then go for it as your LO obviously has a look they like.
We are due to meet urban angels in january so we may go and just see if they offer us something but I do think currently Im happy with BK so not even sure if we would accept their offer if we were given one.

If Im not on before christmas merry christmas to u all xxxx

Hi everyone,

New to this board, but been reading for a while.
I though I would add a few things about the various agencies, I hope its of use, please excuse the long post.

My son did modelling when he was a baby so he went to a few castings and did a couple of jobs. I wanted him to get back into it, for the obvious reasons, but being a bit more clued up I decided to do research into the different agencies. So speaking from personal experience, speaking to friends etc and what I have read, this is what I have to say.

A few points to consider, when reading this.
I contacted various leading companies that tend to use children for assignments frequently such as Mothercare, M&S, Pampers etc to see what agents they use. I have marked these with an *.
Although most agents do probably manage to send children to castings, the number of children they have on the books do have an effect on who they send and how often the send children, Some of the top agents, who charge over £100 are able to get work, but because the number of children on the book, the odds of your child getting work or frequent work is less, for obvious mathematical reasons. I reckon they have their favourites and that?s that. Look at how many children they have in the age range of your child.

*Elisabeth Smith well established - so you do see their kids at castings. Want over hundred pounds for representation per year, plus photos. But they have quite a few kids on their books, as there is a financial benefit for them to do so. No negative feedback from parents with children on their books. One parent told me his child was being sent on regular work, and included a few trips further a field. Over 500 Kids on website.
www.elisabethsmith.co.uk

Rascals
Want a ridiculous amount of money for registration & photos, over £200, which includes photography. Have lots of kids on books, but I have seen children at castings. One parent told me that she received no work with them and is now with another agent. Over 500 kids on website.
www.rascals.co.uk/2005/index.htm

*Urban angels. Newly established, but v.successful, few children on books and minimal cost for parent involved. I have spoken to the owner, she is v.nice and I personal believe her company ethos is brilliant, the children I have seen at castings, all get regular work and they keep the parents well informed. See website.
www.urbanangelsagency.com/gettingyourwings.asp#

**Bruce & Brown. top end of industry, get lots of work, and were mentioned along with Kids London by companies who use kids for advertising. Not sure what costs are involved, but no upfront costs, I think minimal costs. Limited number of kids on books, so I guess their kids gets regular work. Not sure, just a guess, but probably do more high end fashion/work.
www.bruceandbrown.com/Join.aspx

**Kids London. V. similar comments to Bruce & Brown. High end work, not sure of number of kids on books, but I would guess very few as no costs or v.minimal costs involved. Spoke to owner v.nice lady.
www.kidslondonltd.com/

*Truly Scrumptious. High costs over £200 including photography, costs are less if child is under 2, over £100 pounds. Not sure of number of kids, but my son has got work with them. Sent him to 4 castings, and got the job for 3 of those. So either my son is highly talented (that?s what I love to think) or their just good a picking the right child for the job.
www.trulyscrumptious.co.uk/

Alphabet Kids
I think newish, a few people I know have joined, seemed organised, website looks good. Owner is very nice lady, at the photoshot for the model book; she was really good with the kids. Don?t know about frequency of work, did send some of my friends young babies to 1-2 castings, recently.
www.alphabetkidz.co.uk/

Cheeky Kids
V.V.new, so very few kids, only £15 to join. Run by sisters, who are very nice, so I have been reliable told.
www.cheekykidz.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Itemid=20

*MOT
Good agency, don?t have loads of kids with similar look & age. Which means more work for those who are suitable. No or minimal costs involved. Over 400 kids on website.
www.motjunior.com/index.html

*Scallywags
High costs £170 plus, but includes photos and cd of photos for yourself to keep. Seen children at casting, my son was with them when he was 6 months old, he was sent on several castings, but didn?t get any of the jobs. They have lots of kids on books, so I presume internal competition is high. They have over 900 kids on website
www.scallywags.co.uk/site/faqs.asp?vip=z121y122QFE69

Models Direct
Lets not even go there.

BizzyKids
Well, I?m just not sure. The probably do get work for their kids, but I don?t think they are that selective. And after reading quite a few forums, as parents are the best sources of reliable information. I?m more dubious. There seems to be quite a few suspicious posts from mothers claiming to be signed up with them and getting work immediately. And some not so suspicious as they are clearly from the head booker Debi Clark. I did sign up to them been with them for a couple of months, but no work as yet, this is before doing more extensive research in the chat forums. Not sure if it was worth it, but I remain optimistic. Its not for me to say they don?t get work for their kids, but I am suspicious about their methods of recruiting. They have over 700 kids on website.
www.bizzykidz.com/

Here is a list of others, but I have no comment on.
www.plain-jane.co.uk/
www.elliottbrownagency.co.uk/
www.inspired-models.com/
www.jabberwockyagency.com/outside/home.html
www.kidsplusagency.co.uk/index.php
www.kidzltd.co.uk/index.html
www.sandrareynolds.co.uk/recruitmentchildren.asp
www.hobsons-international.com/trial/Kids/IndexKidsV3.asp
www.norriecarr.com/children/default.htm
www.allsortsagency.com/
www.bmamodels.com/
www.childsplaymodels.co.uk/Contact.html
www.expressions-uk.com/
216.26.162.88/mp/
www.millenniumkidz.co.uk/default.htm
www.powerchildmodels.co.uk/
www.tuesdayschildagency.co.uk/

Do be wary of paying high costs, be it registration, website representation, model book or photos, but at the same time, the ones I have commented on that have high costs of over £100 do get children work. It just depends on if your child is right for casting/job. This industry is a mind field, and I just wanted to pass on what I have managed to learn. Although my son has NOT done tones of work like some parents children I have met. The little experience has taught me some bits. The most important thing is that the children enjoy it.

Merry Xmas.

thanks 4 that - it was a good read, very informative.

hi ringaroses I think the comment about people saying they were put forward for work literally straight away being suspicious I think you were aiming at me.
Well I can tell you in no way am I suspicious.... I am just a normal parent with a kiddie who is with an agency. We were just very lucky at the start that within a week or so there was something come up suitable for my son. Surely thats the way the industry works jobs come up and if there suitable they are put forward?? We were just lucky, however we didnt get it.

I agree with most of the comments you have said but just didnt want to be called suspicious... ( i apologise if you weren't aiming it at me )
I have to say we were offered contracts with most of the agencies mentioned but we went with BK cos of how well I found the girls to talk to and how fantastic they were at answering any queries.
We have since however been contacted by urban angels and meeting them in january so we will just see how things go.

Your post was helpful and especially to any mummy considering modelling it is a good post to read.

Anyway another trip to doctors coming up so have to go. Again merry christmas everyone xxx

ahh tinkerbellechelle....we know you are not suspicious - hope the little man is getting better, especially in time for christmas xxx
I also am a 'normal mummy' and we have been lucky enough to get work through BK - one being a new sitcom on in January!! Will let you know when!!!

Hi,

could anyone give me the gist of what has been said here . there are tons of messages going on and it would take me ages to read through them all.

I was thinking of signing my dd up with an agency but don't know if it is worth it. As with most parents I think my dd is just sooo cute that any agency would love to have her.

My main concern is any dodgy photographer. Anyone had a bad experience ?.....or a good one?

Not at all tinkerbellchelle. I have read a majority of the comments on this board and it wasn't aimed at you all. Like you said you?re talking about looking at other agencies, and weren?t you with rascals previously and offered work as well. You baby has probably got the look everyone is after. Plus I prepared the message yesterday.
Like I said they probably do get work, and your testimony is reassuring to all those who have paid or our considering. We have to use each others experiences, so we can weed out the bad from the good agencies.
But I have noticed the head booker on a few other forums/question& answer websites. So she does view them, which is everyone right to. I hope everyone is being honest and to be frank I reckon that 99% are. I am just in two minds with Bizzykids at the moment, and not necessarily with the work aspect but with the recruiting aspect.

My intention is not to insult or attack anyone, just pass on some info and my personal views. Please accept my apology if I have offended anyone.
And I hope your LO gets better soon.

ringaroses,
I can back up what you have said about Kids London ....we have been with them for 2 months and have been lucky enough to have had 2 jobs - both of those were for big household names. They charge a nominal £25 fee for under 3s which is taken from the first job so no upfront fees - and i think I am right in saying that there is a couple of hundred of kids on the books - and about 5-6 my little ones age which i think is great as there is less in-house competition.
Anyway - your read was very informative and will be an excellent help for any first timers. Thank you for taking the time to post it.

Hi all, when i visited KL, there were model books on the table, present and previous years to view. In my letter it mentioned that if my child was not chosen to be in the model book a refund would be given. All kids have a page each and there were roughly 125 girls .. maybe the same amount for boys and teenagers. No pics of babies/toddlers.

please can spome one give me the website for bubblegum

Ho Sh11. I did post that I paid £40 to Bizzykidz but I made a mistake and later posted that it was actually £80 as this was back in September 2004 when you didn't have to pay VAT. Am currently looking at other agencies as have only had one casting and no jobs in a year. MOT have just replied saying they already have enough children on their books in that age group (2 1/2).

ringaringroses - thanks for you long post, wish that i had this info. before i made my decision to join BK.

okay - i think enough has been said about BK - my daughter has been with them for 18 months and has had loads of work she is in category 4-5 age and we think they are a brilliant agency we are also with MOT that are great to. Now for all the mums that havent received work for there children - get over it - BK will only put your child forward at the clients request. its not the end of the world if your child does not get work and moving from agency to agency will not prove to be succesful either fr you... and thats what alot of mums seem to be doing. I find it very worrying when mums are getting very anxious about their kids not getting work. I paid to go with BK and didnt pay a thing to go with MOT and I have had the same amount of work from both.
Just for the record all firms/companies that want children in their advertising or tv commercial will look far and wide to get what they want that means they go to every agency until they find that special child - which one day could be one of yours - so lets not get to upset if our gorgeous children dont get work at a drop of a hat.

gosh it has got really heated on here! i suppose we will all have different experiences of the industry such is life. sorry to be a pain but are any of you signed to norrie carr? i would just like to know what experience parents have had of them sorry to be a pain but i think everyone has got sidetracked with the whole bizzykidz thing, hope someone can help me! cy x

Yes i agree it is getting heated but hey some of us are with BK and been succesful - and i am sticking up and fighting for the side of BK as there have been alot of negative comments about this agency..... and they all revolve round your children not getting work - that is what this industry is like as per my previous posting your child will only get work if their face fits the clients requests to the agent - it is not the agents fault...

I wasn't trying to offend you TATA, I am interested in finding out about parents views on the different agencies, esp as my child is with Norrie and I'm relatively new to this side of the industry. HAving worked in editorial, where I found the experience of kids modelling different. Elisabeth Smith are interested in my boy and I'm considering going with them as I live in the Harrow vicinity where they are based, obv I may have to travel if boy gets casting.I actually think this thread would be basis of an excellent feature! I know there have been several written in parenting mags but I might actually put this to my mags!

anyone know any good agencies in Newcastle/North East.

wasn't planning on going to London agencies if I could help it.

Then again don't know if it is worth the agro.

I am beginning to feel guilty- I wasn't trying to heat up the conversation, their are pros and cons to all the agents..be it cost, no. of kids on books, the difficulty getting onto the books, frequency of work, reliability, reputation. It would be irresponsible not to air what I have seen to be true. But I haven't doubted that Bizzykids get work. everyone should be free to post both positive and negative experiences, as well replies to those comments without feeling the discussion is getting heated or being targeted at anyone, we must all respect each others opinions.

I agree with you Tata, not everyone will get work and thats a reality you must face, you have to learn to deal with this as well as the fact that they may have castings but not get the job..its upto the client to choose the child but its also upto the agent to put children forward, so its important to remain professional(i,e timekeeping, keeping upto date with measurements and photos and a generally a good relationship, which can only be established over time).Remember its not in interest of the agent not to get work for as many children as they can. They earn commission on each job, more work, more commission. It should be obvious that for example Scallywags who charge considerable more, on a yearly basis, will not get regular work for each of its 900 plus kids, but I know they do get work. At the end of the day the child may have the right look, but it might not be the right look for the client. Bizzykids have considerable less kids then Scallywags and only charge a one of fee for continuous representation, with optional professional photos, so long as you keep them upto date with licence requirements.

In regards to putting children forward, I believe this goes to all agents, if their information for your child example height or photos are out of date, i.e. the last time you updated them was 2 months ago and your baby is 6 months old (where height and looks are changing regularly, they wont put your child forward if the client is requesting a certain look or height, because they need to act quickly and professional and meet the needs of the client. So make sure your remain in regular contact, even if they are not contacting you for work. My main purpose was to provide a little information regarding all the different agents, be it positive or negative. One persons experience may not be what another experiences and that is important to remember that.

In talking about the positive side of the industry. The obvious benefits are great such as the money and the coverage be it photos, billboards, TV etc. But it also great meeting new people, travelling to different locations, seeing the creative side of advertising in the making. In general its very exciting.

Re: Bubblegum: I don't think they have a website, their contact details have changed several times. Please see this link for current contact details.
www.kftv.com/company.asp?ck=34483&pn=1520

Hi Jo74,

Not sure about agents in your area, but look at my earlier post today (v.long one), the list is quite comprehensive. If you do find an agent in your location, you have to be prepared to travel to London, as a majoirty of castings are in London. It can be existing and both me and my son enjoy it very much, even though the work is not consistant. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

hi i am going to e-mail some shots to couple agencies to see how i get on. technical question - do i just e-mail them or do i have to change format. thanks (new to computer world) [

I would advise people to look at www.albamodelinformation.com before doing anything else with regards to modelling. It gives lots of information (there is now a child modelling section) and an overall view of the industry.

kylesmybaby - i just sent my photos in jpg format.