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Original poster

child modelling

54 replies

MABS · 04/08/2002 20:26

Asking on behalf of a friend - anyone got any experience of this ? can anyone recommend any agencies ? She's not a pushy mother - honest and her kids are gorgeous..... Thanks

OP posts:
ks · 04/08/2002 20:33

This reply has been deleted

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lilibet · 04/08/2002 20:48

I was approached by a model agency when my dd was 1 (14 years ago). She was enrolled with Tuesdays Child which was in Manchester, not sure if it still exists. The main problem was the lack of notice that I was given to attend auditions and jobs. I would be rung at work one day and asked could I have her at a photo studio 50 miles away the next. She did work for the early learning centre, mclarens and a few photo sessions for Mother and Child. I had to stop as I was unable to keep taking time off work to get her to places. The money then was £22 per hour which included travelling time. If I didn't work I would have no hesitation in doing it again, it really wasn't a pushy mother thing, which I was worried about and would help to either build up a nest egg or pay for family treats. I was told at the time that agencies don't just want the lovely looking children but ones with character in their faces, hence cheeky looking boys are alwys popular! Tell your friend to go for it and good luck.

Willow2 · 04/08/2002 22:06

MABS - where is your friend based? Bruce & Brown in London are good.

lou33 · 05/08/2002 11:26

I'll second Willow2 on that.

Monnie · 05/08/2002 19:34

Is there a website for this agency? I've triend to ocate it but not having much joy.

Like MABS, I know someone who is interested but does not know where to look.

Willow2 · 05/08/2002 21:42

Will get phone number for you and post.

Original poster
MABS · 06/08/2002 14:13

Thanks for all this everyone - really appreciate it .

OP posts:
Tillysmummy · 06/08/2002 14:15

Funny I was just thinking about this. Im not a pushy mum either but seeing as everyone always talks about and a friend suggested I send in some photos I thought I'd see what the result was and she has been offered by two, Little Acorns and Models Direct. Now I have cold feet and don't think it would be fair to drag her around etc, etc. Does anyone have any thoughts on this.

Joe1 · 06/08/2002 14:57

Have just been flicking through some of my old Mother and Baby mags etc and found the following:
Allsorts 020 8491 7000
Bruce & Browns 020 89685585
Elisabeth Smith 020 8863 2331
Junior at MOT 01442 863918
Scallywags 020 8518 1133
Truly Scrumptious 020 7608 3806
Some might have web sites.

Plus a book to read:
Your Child as a Model by Elisabeth Smith £5.95
Same number as above to order.

Hope these help.

Keep thinking of doing it myself but have never done anything about it.

bundle · 06/08/2002 14:59

tillysmummy, depends how you feel about spending a chunk of your spare time with her doing this...I have a friend who does this with her ds and she says he enjoys it, but nothing would convince me that she'd get more pleasure out of going to castings (and potentially not getting any work, after waiting for hours) than something like swimming, running around a playground or going to the zoo. just a personal opinion, though, I don't think child modelling is tantamount to child abuse!

Tillysmummy · 06/08/2002 15:08

Your probably right Bundle that has been my instinct, think I may leave it.

bundle · 06/08/2002 15:11

..it's really one of those gut instinct things, but the pics of my friend's ds in the latest Rowan knitting catalogue are v cute!

zebra · 06/08/2002 15:31

I had a pro photographer tell me to get DS into modelling.

But honestly, I couldn't face it. What if he was offered a job advertising products I disaprove of? Nestle come to mind. Being treated like a piece of meat. Worrying about every blemish or bruise. Hours being bored at casting cattle markets. Competition must be fierece; there are thousands of beautiful children out there.

Tillysmummy · 06/08/2002 15:34

That is true Zebra. It's flattering that they're interested but I just think that it would be stressful for her although she loves the camera it's different taking a couple of snapshots and being under the spotlight for ages.

Willow2 · 06/08/2002 15:44

To be honest, it's up to you to decide if you want your child to do a job or not. My ds has done a few bits and pieces - and he really did enjoy himself. The last two jobs have been with the same team who spoilt him rotten - particularly as one was on location in Seasalter, so he had his photo taken for an hour and we then spent the rest of the day by the sea, which we wouldn't have done otherwise. Plus they paid £250 which has been added to his own savings account. I agree though that castings are a nightmare - I won't take him on them unless he has a) been specifically asked for and it's not an open casting (no point wasting his time with these, there could be hundreds of kids there) and b)it is not too far away (eg: same side of London) and c)we have absolutely nothing else planned for the day (I'm not going to cancel meeting up with his friends just in case) and most importantly d) I think he would enjoy the shoot itself. So far the agency have been absolutely fine about this - they appreciate that our world does not revolve around their clients' needs.Funnily enough, all the jobs he's done he didn't have to do a casting for anyway.

To be honest, I cannot see the point of castings for young kids. I used to oversee a lot of shoots and book models of all ages. Casting children was a waste of time. Who's to say that a two year old who is charm personified at a casting might not have a bad day on the shoot - and vice versa?

As for being treated like meat - at castings possibly; but on the shoots we've been to and I've overseen the kids have been treated like royalty. You have to keep them all happy if you want the pictures to be any good. They aren't professionals who can turn on the smile at a drop of a hat - so it's up to the crew to make the whole experience as much fun as possible.

Tillysmummy · 06/08/2002 15:52

Willow2 that's very interesting and certainly another view on it. My Dh thinks that we should try one or two jobs and see how she is and I think that he has a point. I was certainly going to decline any jobs I didn't want to do that were too far etc and if as you say I don't do castings then that may cut the hassle down.

Willow2 · 06/08/2002 19:04

Tillysmummy - where are you based? Even in London jobs are very sporadic. It should be looked at as a bit of fun rather than a way of earning loads of dosh. (Have to say, one mother I met was talking about how her child's hair had started falling out with stress. When I replied "how terrible" she responded "yes, it was awful, she was so very lucrative at the time"!) So why not go with your DH's suggestion? You know your child better than anyone and if she isn't enjoying herself you'll know (and so will the person behind the camera!). Obviously, it helps if your child is relatively outgoing - but, unless your child is incredibly shy, I personally don't think it's a bad thing for he or she to meet new people in varying circumstances.

Tillysmummy · 07/08/2002 09:27

Willow2, I don't see it as a way of making money out of her, we are planning on putting it away like we do with her child benefit for her when she's older. I think she would like it because she's very outgoing and such a poser, she loves the camera. That's what made us think she may like it. Im just going to try and see. If it's stressful I will not do it anymore but if she enjoys is I may do the odd job.
We are based in North London, Radlett.

Willow2 · 07/08/2002 11:52

Tillysmummy - hope you don't think I was suggesting that you were looking at it as a money making exercise! Was just trying to get point across that work levels vary dramatically - eg: nothing for months and then a number of things. Sounds like she will enjoy herself - good luck. Also, have you been asked for a lot of money to join the agencies you mentioned? If so mail me back as you shouldn't have to splash out cash with a good agent.

Tillysmummy · 07/08/2002 11:53

hi Willow2, no I didn't think you were suggesting that at all and I agree with everything you've said, It's been very useful talking to you.
I am going to see an agency called Little Acorns on Saturday they only charge £20 that I know of and am about to join an agency called Models Direct who want £119 for 3 years do you think this is a rip off ?

emilys · 07/08/2002 12:58

Little Acorns - you'll pay £20 for the privilege of listening to them talk about themselves for 1hr and then pay a further £200 to join. I CAN NOT BELIEVE i fell for it (I even work in the film & tv industry myself and still fell for it ) haveb't heard a thing from them since! I want to complain to someone somewhere so that other people don't fsll for it but am too embarrassed at my own stupidity! they must be making a small fortune on everyone's £200s

Tillysmummy · 07/08/2002 12:59

Emilys thanks for that info i'll cancel straight away I can't believe it !

emilys · 07/08/2002 13:17

i feel bad now - but i shouldn't ....... should I?!

In fact it has motivated me to write a letter to them asking for an explanation.

Original poster
MABS · 07/08/2002 13:36

Emilys - did you go to any agency you felt was genuine ? or did you ditch the whole idea after the Little Acorns experience ...

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emilys · 07/08/2002 13:59

i didn't bother after that - it pretty much put me off. i thought they were all out to get 'us suckers'!! I'm sure there are some good ones somewhere...