Child modelling - give me the downlow

[CatRen27]

Ok please don't flame me! I've got an appointment set up with a talent agency next week to "discuss opportunities" for my 3yo dd.

I'm only 50/50 sure this is something for us to really consider, so wanted some experienced mums and dads (and grown up child models?) to give me some tips, ideas and how to make sure my dd is safe and happy (and a right fit personality wise). And to inform our decision to go ahead with it.

The agency is well known, has a long list of high street clients, clothes brands and lifestyle stuff so definitely legitimate.

I'm not looking to get her into this for the longer term, but its something quite a lot of people (friends, acquaintances and strangers) have suggested i look into as they say my dd is quite striking. I know all children are the cutest according to their parents so definitely wouldn't do it on my own opinions alone! God this sounds so crazy.

We would put any money she earned into the savings account we have for her, to help cover things like uni etc so wouldn't intend on keeping it for ourselves.

So what are the alarm bells, should we expect to pay anything up front, what are the conditions like for the children, pitfalls etc? Our dd is a little shy with strangers to begin with, just like most kids, but is very cheery, talkative and conscientious/compliant once she's comfortable.

It might lead to nothing after the chat but I'd like to go in with eyes wide open and a strong set of questions. Tell me what you know!

Thanks in advance.

I promise there were paragraphs in that post when i typed it, stupid phone!

I've just seen some of the other older threads on this on here but would still really value your inputs

Both mine did it. The main thing you need to accept is that no matter how gorgeous you or others think your child is, alot of the time they just aren't the look that the clients are looking for. You can be put forward for plenty of things but not hear anything further which can be frustrating but I know so many who blame the agency when their kids don't get much work but it's really not their fault.

DS was on the books for a year and from what I remember, he didn't get put forward for one single thing. He wasn't the most confident child though, but I did get some beautiful photos to keep which was fine with me!

DD did it for a couple of years, got put through for alot of castings and actually got the jobs a few times, but nothing overly regular. She has no fear though, and is very comfortable with strangers and attention on her from the get go, which does make a big difference as there are always going to be lots and lots of children at castings.

Be prepared for almost all castings to be sent to you very last minute, and for them to be all over too! Our agency would send a message to give the date, location and type of job a few days prior and ask if you were available and happy for them to put them forwards. It would then be last minute we would hear back as to whether they had got a casting or not.

I also personally found you end up paying out more than you get back in terms of travelling to castings, as they don't all offer travel expenses. Tv work is much better paid than photo shoots, but even less likely to get.

Thing with it is everyone has totally different experiences with it, so you could get such a varied response from this! That was our experience though! Dd absolutely loved doing it and we've got some great pics of her in ads to keep forever. I found it more of a bind than anything hence why we stopped, but would still consider it for dc3 who's on the way - even if all we got out of it was some nice pics from the agency! Good luck!