14 year old scouted by modelling agency

[mrsgirond]

My child was scouted over the weekend in London. They’ve followed up today with an email and have invited us in to their office at the beginning of school holidays to chat and take some Polaroids. I’m interested in hearing from anyone whose son or daughter has been scouted in this way and where it has led to. I want to manage expectations and be realistic without putting the dampers on it!

My DD was "scouted" . AKA. 200 pounds for photos with agency from which nothing transpired. Don't pay anything up front. If she really is "model" material they will do it for free/payment once she gets a contract.

Sorry to hear this. This is a legitimate agency, I called them this morning.

Which agency is it, if you don't mind us asking?

It would need to be one of the top agencies to be worth taking seriously. If it isn't, and you genuinely think your daughter could make it (and wants to) why not get an appointment with one of the top ones. How tall is she? Did the mention fashion or commercial?

Oh, sorry I could not after reading about models private lives let them do this unless you as a parent would be at every shoot. There are some nasty folk out there.

I’d rather not say here which agent it is but they have some very well known faces on their books and are in central London. She’s 5 ft 7 and still growing! Long legs and arms!

They didn’t mention fashion or commercial but their website seems to be mainly fashion I think.

I agree with the person who,said that if they ask,for money for,portfolios etc,,then they are not genuine.

I have a family member who works at MOT Models, cannot help you with any other agencies.

My son was invited into a reputable agency in Glasgow. He is nearly 14 and over 6ft. They took his face and full height photos, asked for no money at all and said he'd be put on their books but it wouldn't be till he was nearer 16 that he'd get called for any jobs. My son was quite happy with that. Good luck xxx

I've known quite a few teenagers be scouted by reputable agencies in London. They must scout hundreds and hundreds of people, I think. 9/10 times what happens is a photo shoot and interview, then "thank you for coming, you are not quite what we are looking for"

For one teen I know though, it has turned in to some quite lucrative occasional work, which he takes advantage of when home from university.

Be careful though ( not you, I know you have checked the agency out) I'm just saying for anybody else reading. There are a lot of con merchants out there too, who use this sort of scheme to try and get money out of you, or worse.

My ds1 was scouted by AMCK at wirelsss festival, he has had a fair amount of work from them including an Adidas campaign

If they ask you for a single penny, it's not genuine and you need to get out.

Also 'Polaroids'? Is that their word or yours?

Personally I'd be putting the breaks on this until she's 16 at least. Too much growing up to do at this age to be worrying about modelling. It's a horrific, short term role that could really mess her up.

A friend of mine got scouted around age 17 for Storm models.. she was stunning and really looked like a model you would see in magazines. They did loads of photo shoots with her which were incredible, she never got booked for a proper job. Keep expectations very, very low as very unlikely to find success in that industry.

Should have added, they completely ruined her self-esteem in the process. Told her to lose weight (she looked very very underweight already!) and were very critical of her looks. Just something to be aware of and keep an eye on.

Thanks all, I think she’s more flattered than anything, she’s always been very conscious of being the tallest girl in her year, gets called lanky etc etc. She’s actually very into sports and although slim has a very healthy athletic body. We’re playing it all down at the moment and keeping expectations low. I agree she’s very young but apparently having now spoken to the scout they build a professional relationship with the model and family quite early. It’s all new to me so thanks for sharing your experiences.