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Original poster

My DS scouted on the street

21 replies

lanadelgrey · 21/08/2022 21:33

This is my first post on this board, I think. I don’t know if this is the right place?
Does anyone know anything about what happens. It is totally not anything I know about. He is 14 and nonplussed - but weirdly it happened several times when we were out and about in London over the weekend.
Obviously, I think he is lovely because he is my DS but I’ve never even thought he was ‘handsome’ or cute or whatever in a model sense.
All the people - women - who stopped him were nice and gave cards and talked to me as well so I don’t think it was dodgy. But not sure what to do now or what to ask if we do contact anyone who gave us cards.
He is not vain, not interested in fashion, he’s tall for his age and skinny so maybe that is what it is? But we chatted a bit because it was surprising and he thinks he is maybe interested as a way to earn money to travel when he is older but he’d die if his mates saw him in an advert or something.
Really don’t know whether to laugh it off or to do a bit more investigating.

OP posts:
ofwarren · 21/08/2022 21:35

If you say the name of the agencies, people on here will be able to tell you if they are legit.
Quite a few are just trying to sell you photos.

TwoBlondes · 21/08/2022 21:42

DD was signed at fourteen by a very well known agency. It was a disaster and I regret not making her wait till she was sixteen.

She was tied to a three year contract but they dropped her over weight issues. It was a huge distraction just when she was least able to cope with it.

Original poster
lanadelgrey · 21/08/2022 21:53

Not Kate Moss style ones, one was called Linden Staub, the other ones were people who from their instagrams seem more arty - ‘street casting’ whatever that is? I suppose he is a bit quirky looking and their pages seemed more like that.
I can see why or how you might persuade someone to pay to get photos done but girls more than boys? We were doing normal stuff - on our way to a museum, at a market so you wouldn’t pick on us to flatter, my user name is about my hair colour and the music - not the fashion! . Or is me being vaguely curious how the scam begins? I would not pay any money to pursue anything.

OP posts:
teaandtoastwithmarmite · 21/08/2022 21:55

A quick google of linden stain tells me it looks legit.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 21/08/2022 21:55

Staub sorry! Autocorrect strikes again!

Original poster
lanadelgrey · 21/08/2022 21:57

Thank you TwoBlondes, it’s just that I would worry about ie suddenly starting to be investing in something that you’d never previously cared about and then finding you are not what they wanted after all.

OP posts:
babbi · 21/08/2022 21:59

I’d advise to pursue it but with caution to what you sign ..
could be a fantastic opportunity for him …

Original poster
lanadelgrey · 21/08/2022 22:01

How do you tell if legit or not? What questions should you ask?

OP posts:
Newgirls · 21/08/2022 22:02

if you look on extra curricular pages here you will find the parents with acting kids who have agents etc which might be useful.

mine did it for a while and it was a lot of last minute London castings and mostly nos, but the filming bits were fun for them and well paid

but yes if it goes well he would be seen by mates so he needs to be ready for that!

LiftyLift · 21/08/2022 22:03

lindenstaub.com/model-parent-guidance

Delphigirl · 21/08/2022 22:03

If he is being regularly scouted then send him into a legit agency - Storm is excellent (Chelsea) and has a big mens section - and see what they say. They will give you a proper steer.

LiftyLift · 21/08/2022 22:03

LS looks legit.

Original poster
lanadelgrey · 22/08/2022 11:38

Thank you everyone. Have decided we’ll email them back and then see. And ask that if both he and any of them want to take it any further we can have a chat with a boy who’s already doing it and on their books find out what he says.

OP posts:
MillyWithaY · 22/08/2022 11:47

My DD was scouted years ago when she was 16 and we were in London for the weekend. It was basically a front for a photographic agency to make money selling parents studio pictures of their offspring. Not a complete waste of time and money as our daughter loved the experience of travelling to London, being made over, etc.,and we do have some lovely images of our daughter as a memento!

If he's interested in modelling then approach a reputable agency rather than trusting a chance meeting on the street.

Original poster
lanadelgrey · 22/08/2022 13:15

Ah the point is, he isn’t! They came up to him, the lanky, diffident 14-year-old who hates me suggesting that he might brush his hair before he goes out and who I nag to make eye contact when speaks to people and not mumble ie like every other 14-year-old boy. You really wouldn’t think this is a kid who might be flattered by such attention and you wouldn’t spot me as a parent who might be fashion conscious anymore - no make up and hair that I do brush but in five minutes is back to looking a bit of a state. So I’m guessing there is something about him that these three people could see. I joked that by Sunday he’d get approached again, and he did. We’ve emailed and if they don’t come back, it’s a funny story about a weekend in London. He can get a normal Saturday job when he’s older like I and his big sister did 😁

OP posts:
Deathraystare · 29/08/2022 16:53

You might find his friends think it very cool!

And it might make him brush his hair more or maybe they like that look!

JumpNWave · 29/08/2022 16:59

Research the agencies and if they start talking about paying to put together a portfolio, swerve.

Even if they are legit, attend any appointments with him.

I was scouted by two reputable agencies outside Oxford St Topshop in the 90s. I’m sure things have changed since then in the industry, but even though these agencies were top flight ones, it was a fairly brutal process for a teenager. I wouldn’t want my DD / DS going through it.

Original poster
lanadelgrey · 29/08/2022 18:48

Thanks, we met one last week and another one asked to send in a set of shots, which a friend did for us against her living room wall. We are being very laidback about it all. Feeling totally sexist but while I would worry if my DD was approached, but am less so because it's DS who isn't particularly interested in his looks at all.

OP posts:
MillyWithaY · 29/08/2022 22:05

You're very keen to emphasise you're not bothered and he's not interested, but for some reason you are pursuing this quite enthusiastically. Why is that?

GG1986 · 29/08/2022 22:22

If he wants to do it and wants to make some money then go for it. A reputable company will not ask you for money or to pay to make a portfolio for him. If he isn't bothered then forget it.

Passthecake30 · 29/08/2022 23:10

I remember being approached as a lanky skinny teen and it was a ruse for my parents to pay for professional photos. I’d do some digging first.

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