TOP TIPS ON BABY MODELLING
Every parent obviously think their child is beautiful. Child modelling has grown rapidly over the years and is now a very popular hobby for many children. But how does a parent ensure they are making the right decision when deciding whether to get their child involved in the industry?
1) Research research research!!! Nowadays, there are a lot of child model agencies around. A quick search engine search will bring back thousands of websites! It isn’t necessarily the top agencies that will appear in Google’s first page, as generally these companies have paid to be there, so may not necessarily be the best! Look at as many websites as you can, ensuring the agency clearly displays their client list so you can see what jobs they have worked on in the last 6 months or so.
2) DO NOT pay assessment fees. It is against BERR regulations for an Agency to charge an assessment fee to simply meet your child if they are interested in them. Most agencies will ask to meet your child before taking them on, unless of course they are a baby in which case it probably wouldn’t be of any benefit to the agency.
3) DO NOT pay out lots of money for expensive photographic portfolios. A child does not need a portfolio in the first instance. Most Agencies will in fact prefer you to apply with snapshots, so they can see your child as they are naturally. If your child is accepted by the agency, they will often request you attend a sitting with a recommended photographer, but costs should be kept to a minimum.
4) DO NOT attend seminars or open call auditions for agencies at local hotels or similar places. This is a sure fire sign of a scam.
5) DO NOT pay extortionate yearly fees. Nearly all child agencies will charge a yearly fee for their website, but this should be no more than around £100. Find out what you are getting for your money and why the agency charges what they do.
An agency’s job is to display a good variety of children on their books for their clients to choose from. This isn’t as simple as it sounds. A child model can often be stereotyped as needing to have a specific look, however casting directors and advertising agencies need to fit a wide variety of briefs, so a child who may not first appear to be the perfect ‘model’ may often be a very popular choice for many bookings. A child model is not just a pretty face posing in front of the camera, they may take part in TV commercials, feature films, music videos, voiceovers or fashion shows. Work covered by an agency varies widely.
Top tips brought to you from;
Bonnie Breen – Managing Director of Bonnie and Betty Ltd, model and casting agency for babies, kids, teens, adults and families. She has worked in the industry for many years as Head Booker & General Manager of several other agencies, as well as being involved in the industry along with her siblings from a young age. Bonnie and Betty are a boutique agency, for further information please visit www.bonnieandbetty.com.
