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Original poster

Child Modelling Jan 2009

581 replies

brooke77 · 05/01/2009 11:05

Happy New Year !
I hope this thread will re-start what was always great modelling chat on this forum..
Here's hoping 2009 brings lots of castings and jobs for everyone !

OP posts:
pureeandpearls · 23/04/2009 18:34

Is there any chance that one of you is going to a Johnson and Johnson thing tomorrow? Agency have booked me in but not sent details of location......if you are going and feel like sharing, I'd be grateful!!

grumpalumpa · 24/04/2009 16:30

.......prob a bit late for you now puree but we are at J&J on monday - can you let me know how it goes!! Good luck xx

pureeandpearls · 25/04/2009 14:18

Went fine Grumpalumpa- they see them with nappied on for a brief chat then nappies off for a check ontheir 'skin tone' then you're done. They're seeing one every ten minutes and it's all over very quickly and painlessly. The only issue is the lack of space for pushchairs at the bottom of the stairs.

Good luck on Monday

alexandre · 27/04/2009 18:09

Was surprised to see what has been written about Childsplay here.

I use them to find children for my photoshoots and they seem excellent from a client's point of view.

They don't seem to have a very large pool to pick from when i need a specific size doe clothes so not sure whether the comments are accurate.

HellFireandDamnation · 27/04/2009 20:15

Alexandre - what company did you work for?

HellFireandDamnation · 27/04/2009 20:25

very unusual to come accross a client on this forum - we will really be picking your brains now!How do you choose one child over another? What agencies do you use? Which do you find good ones? How long have you been using agencies? That's for starters! They'll be more from others I'm sure!

pureeandpearls · 27/04/2009 21:43

Go HFD- I'm right behind you with the questions!!

alexandre · 28/04/2009 09:53

Hi to you all
I'm actually here as a parent as my daughter has asked me to sign her up with an agency so I was looking for some tips from you.

I happen to run a mail order company - I won't mention it here - and have used Childsaply myself. I thought they were brilliant!

What really impressed me is the trouble they took to find children who were right from a character point of view. My brief involved lots of changes of clothes for the catalogue and the children they found were so happy and patient and genuinely enjoyed what they were doing. I can't imagine that there can be many kids who would enjoy changing into one outfit after another and that needs a certain type of temperament.

I haven't considered them for DD as I use them.

In answer to your questions:
*I have only used Childsplay so far for these reasons:

  1. the lady there is lovely and seems to have a genuine interest in the children (their mums have said the same thing)
  2. it's one fixed fee, not with lots of fees added on for this and that such as using the picture for more than 1 year etc. so you know exactly what it is going to cost
  3. they are on the same side of London so more likely to have local children
  4. some of the agencies I have spoken to seem rather full of themselves and I didn't click with the person I was speaking to
  5. the photos are very professional - I wouldn't use an agency that only used holiday snapshots as you can't see the child properly.
* I choose the children according to the garments that I need to fit them into. This quite often limits the choices but the important thing for me is that they look nice, that I choose a different look each time for variety, that they are smiley and look natural and look their age. I wouldn't choose a child which was dressed inappropriately for her age. or one which looked too grown up or babyish.
HellFireandDamnation · 28/04/2009 13:14

Alexandre - on netmums there is a list of reputable agencies (as on the alba site) you'll find everything you list above in all the agncies that the mums on there use so should be helpful in making your choice. None use holiday snaps, London basecd agencies tend to only use children inside M25. Out of over 40 parents though I don't think anyone uses Childsplay and no-one has ever seen them at castings to the best of my knowledge 'cos when people go we often say who was there! Childsplay is one of the more expensive ones too. Avoid Models Direct. listed as scam on Alba site and several have had dealings with them. Hope that helps.
Oh mention your company - we can go look!

Tinkerbel6 · 28/04/2009 18:10

alexandre I don't think many people have actuallly seen them at castings or jobs but it doesn't mean they aren't a good agency. I am surprised you havn't signed you child up with them already, let us know how you get on when you do and post on here what kind of work they get so it helps others to make a decision on what agency to go with.

HellFireandDamnation · 28/04/2009 20:51

Yep - I'm with Tinkerbel - I don't see why you don't sign her up with the agency if you think it is a good one. It would be really interesting and certainly helpful to others to see where they get castings.

bigmummal1 · 28/04/2009 21:34

Hi,

Is anyone going on the Mothercare shoot tomorrow? x

alexandre · 29/04/2009 09:40

I have a question - with my other hat on now.

I would love to have some models that lived locally that I could ring up and book directly at fairly short notice rather than going through an agency which can be very time consuming and frustrating.

I haven't managed to find anyone local that does child modelling. I've often thought about asking people randomly but worry that they would immediately think it was some scam.

Also, as you mums know, you've got to be quite dedicated to do this modelling thing as there's quite a lot of work for the mums to do too with getting letters for the licences etc. I don't think that someone you ask in the street would appreciate exactly what is involved.

Also there are no agencies near us so it is hard to find children that live locally.

Anyway, my question is this: do you think I couold find children by going up to their mums in the street if I thought they might be suitable (although they would have to be assessed for temperament etc?). I do have a well known shop for them to come to so it would appear safe and of course I wouldn't ask any money. What do you think? Is it a non starter or is it possible? I am female BTW.

Tinkerbel6 · 29/04/2009 12:40

good luck bigmumma hope it goes well for you.

alexandre I don't think it would work if you go up to a parent in the street as I think every parent would be very warey, you would be better off contacting a few different agencies for children and it doesn't matter if there isn't an agency near you as most parents will travel further out to a job with their child.

julie4travel · 29/04/2009 13:53

alexandra - i think mums would all be sceptical about being approached in the street.
if you have a website why not post on there models required and the ages etc then people can email you directly? what locations you are looking at etc.

yisha200 · 29/04/2009 14:16

Hiya, i'm with urbanangel.I wonder does anyone go to Man next Tue for BOOTS mini mode casting? This is my baby's first casting.Hope anyone knows a bit can help.Thank you!

Original poster
brooke77 · 29/04/2009 16:38

hi alexandre.. are you the company currently running a photo competition on your website? If so, why dont you consider using some of the children who have already sent in photos if they are local ? I wouldnt approach anyone on the street, but you are very likely to find willing local models if you advertise on your website !

Hi everyone else.. hope all going well !!

OP posts:
puffling · 30/04/2009 10:50

Alexandre. Where are you based? My lovely dd will happily model for you!

alexandre · 30/04/2009 12:35

Brooke77 - I was hoping to find someone that way but none of them are local - they are from as far away as Australia.

Puffling - south east. I need very specific sizes that's the problem. But please PM me if you are south east, you never know.

I have a short list now from Scallywags, Childsplay and Elizabeth Smith. Wouldn't it be funny if someone from here was on it!

With my other hat on, DD has been accepted by all the agencies we have applied for (4/4 that we have heard back from) and waiting to hear from the other 2. All the ones recommended on here except UA's whose books aren't open yet.

Which one should we go for - she is 10? I haven't got a clue.

bigmummal1 · 30/04/2009 12:36

Hi, Is anyone going to the Johnson & Johnson casting tomorrow?

Original poster
brooke77 · 30/04/2009 13:05

alexandre.. I believe you are in Kent?
Its not possible to pm you from this site, but there is another modelling thread on netmums and people can pm you from there. There are lots of mums with dds doing modelling who may well be very keen to take part in a shoot with you.

OP posts:
alexandre · 30/04/2009 14:12

Thanks Brooke77.

I had a quick look and couldn't find that thread but I know there is a link to it here somewhere so will get there a bit later.

Tinkerbel6 · 30/04/2009 14:16

alexandre here is the thread www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/lifestyle-8/join-club-95/45982-baby-child-modelling-club-441.html

pureeandpearls · 30/04/2009 18:45

We were at the J&J thing last week Bigmumma and we're a pencil!!!!

I'm n Kent if it's any good to you Alexandre

mygirlsmum · 30/04/2009 20:22

im in south east too and my dd age 6 116 cm tall would be happy to change clothes all day and be photographed lol