Teenagers Modelling

[Dontjudgeme101]

I have 2 teenagers, dd, 15 (16 in Nov) and ds, 13 who would like to try modelling. I think they have the looks, then l am biased, as they are my dc! Does anyone know of any good Modelling Agencies? I know it’s very competitive. I would be interested to hear your views good or bad.

It's 98% travelling, hanging around, competing, getting pointless headshots and other portfolia completed, spending money on all of the above and wasting time. Then it may be 2% work. I really wouldn't bother.

I can understand what you are saying. I would still like to enquire about it. Do you know of any good Modelling Agencies?

Can't help on the agencies front but if it is something they really want to get into please make sure that they are mentally prepared for the rejection and being told that that are not good enough or need to look a certain way by companies as they are brutal and don't take into account that especially young girls mental well-being.

Both Dd and Ds did this as children. Headshots were once per year and about £40 (Been a few years). They aren’t with pure modelling agencies any more so load their own headshots. They did more the acting and commercial work and got a nice little nest egg together.
I don’t know about teens but we found Dd especially who had the height for modelling (she does a bit now and again) didn’t get any commercial or acting work as she was taller than the “parents” and the model agencies I think needed them to be a little older.

models.com/agencies/

Mostly only in London, I think you can upload pictures on legit websites

@Dontjudgeme101

I can understand what you are saying. I would still like to enquire about it. Do you know of any good Modelling Agencies?

There is no such thing IMO.

OP why do you want your teenagers to try modelling?

Tbh I don’t think any casting has resulted in someone say they want someone a certain way or say anything to their faces. You just didn’t hear back 99% of the time.

My dc asked me if they could try modelling. I will enquire about it. Then l will decide whether to pursue it or not. I appreciate every bodies input.

I can only speak about the London model agencies. If you go to one of the more reputable ones they will give you a list of model agencies that are good to go to.
Dd wandered around London for the day and went to them all

Agree that when you are on jobs it is 90% of the time hanging around so if you have someone who gets bored easily or can’t entertain themselves or read a book, chat, it might not be a good fit.

It isn’t at all glamorous.

@Bythemillpond

Tbh I don’t think any casting has resulted in someone say they want someone a certain way or say anything to their faces. You just didn’t hear back 99% of the time.

Things may of changed In the last 20 years then but back then you got told what was wrong with you to your face mainly around weight and size (apparently constructive criticism). I'm just saying to the op just to make sure that her girls are prepared for rejection and not to take it to heart if they don't get a job.

OP there’s a reality show on at the moment called Street to Catwalk. It might give some insight?

There are various facebook parent model groups who have lists of agencies to apply for. Generally kids model agencies are v different to adult agencies in what look they need. So for children the kids should look age appropriate-no makeup,false eyelashes and young looking , send photos of them in white t shirt, Jean's and converse etc to reputable agencies. Do not pay for a portfolio as you don't need it and loads of parents get scammed by this. Adult modeling (aged over 16) is totally different and obviously height and size is the most important factor. It's a v hard thing to break into especially as a teen because they will be up against kids that have done it for years so unless your children have a very current/alternative look then they will have other kids on their books already who are very similar. Most kids agencies have now branched into acting as well so your kids may need to do this in order to apply to certain agencies. Your son will be in more demand than your daughter as there are fewer boys in the industry. Your daughter will be over licensing age next summer so she could potentially be busier afterwards. Have a look at joining various parent advice facebook groups and read through the posts . They will list reputable agencies both North and South.

Please could you tell me what channel the reality show is on?

All this information is priceless, thank you. I totally understand the angle about weight and size. It does come all the time, when modelling is discussed.Thats interesting about the Facebook parent modelling groups. I am nit on Facebook, but it looks like l might need to join it, just for this.

Agree with above. Your older dc will be looking at adult agencies - totally different kettle of fish. Best idea is to send some headshots and body length shots to main well known agencies. Although super competitive.

Younger dc will be into child modeling still. Very much centred around London (and Manchester for North). There are about six or seven main well established agencies: Bruce and brown, urban Angels, Bonnie and Betty (film, tv, theatre and modelling - the other agencies also do tv and film, but this is the agency I'd go to if that was a focus), grace and galore are some of the big ones. My children used to be with urban Angel's. My son was very popular and had a casting or pencil at least every two weeks with big names - however this only turned into two actual jobs. My daughter only had a few castings in a year, but got one big job which was well paid. We left after we moved out of London as it just didnt work with school, work and short notice for castings/jobs.
My children were always paid a small casting fee - which went on travel - but many jobs and agencies don't do this, so it can be costly.
However, for the short amount of time we did it, it was enjoyable. Best of luck!

Hill1991

I don’t think that people now make judgements on people to their face. I would hope we have moved on from that.
There are so many different looks and body types that just because you don’t fit into the vision for one casting you could be perfect for the next.
I have only heard about someone saying something once and that was from a particular college dance course instructor.

I think you have to strike a happy medium between being professional and turning up on time showered and hair washed and dried and in the right clothing/underwear etc but also taking it with a pinch of salt and having a good time and making friends.
After all it is surreal the type of things you get asked to do or go. (A waste recycling plant where even the cameraman was turning green and vomiting because of the smell is one particular highlight). As I said it isn’t glamorous and half the time you end up freezing cold or wet. It isn’t just cat walk or in some cosy studio.

@Dontjudgeme101 the show is here: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p081m59s/models-street-to-catwalk

I modelled as a teenager after being scouted. I liked parts of it at the time but there were definitely bad parts. It's best to see it as a job.

Please be careful with this, there are endless "agencies" that demand money up front. Any agency you sign with should be with the BMFA.

My kingdom for an edit button. I'm too dyslexic for these abbreviations lol.

bfma.fashion/starting-out-as-a-model/

My friend did a number of years ago. I went with him to Storm Models in London. There was a waiting room full of model wannabes. They took a Polaroid of him and made their decision within a minute or so. It was a no.

It’s really interesting hearing all your views and experiences. I think l will look into it and just see what happens. If they don’t get accepted, it’s not the end of the world. That’s what life is all about, trying new things and not having regrets.

DD (13) was with Bonnie and Betty for a few years. Complete ball ache schleping round London at a moments notice and only getting a tiny percentage of the jobs she attended castings for.
If you don't live close to London/Manchester it's time consuming and expensive. Plus you are expected to attend ALL castings or you get taken off the agency's books.

DD loved it and did get a few acting jobs but it definitely didn't make her millionaire In fact I lost out from the expense of travel/amusing myself whilst she was working.

Great experience but we called it a day when I went back to full time work. If she's serious about modelling/acting she can pick it up again when she's older.

Some good modelling agencies are:

Grace & Galor
Kids London
Bonnie & Betty
Ray & Robin
South Coast Kidz
Alphabet Kidz
Bruce & Brown
Scallywags

My aunt modelled as a 15 year old but her boyfriend then was her connection. It’s ruthless and she did well.

I know a few adult models. Hard work, one male model does very well but he is experienced. The women, some have bad skin but do eg catwalk. I know a few who have “eating disorders”.

Wouldn’t recommend it but good to be in London for jobs or near. Tell DC to get a good portfolio started and consider modelling for free.