Getting Your Child into the Modelling Business

You think your kid is cute. So cute, in fact, that you think that she would make a great model. The only problem is that you don't know how to start.

The first step is that you need a portfolio. The ideal portfolio is a number of different shots of the child in different outfit in different poses; the ideal number depends on the agency, but the idea is to show that the child is comfortable in front of the camera. You are generally advised to have the child in formal clothes, play clothes, casual clothes, and a swimsuit. You'll want a number of different shots to choose from, with a mix of color and black and white, but try to have at least four to five shots per outfit; even if you decide to go with only one shot per outfit, at least you will have the others if you need them.

Each one of those outfits has a different reason for being in the portfolio. Formal clothes are generally ignored, as everyone looks good in formal, but it's necessary to see how the child looks in them. Play clothes show the child at play, and using energy; these are half of the shots that sell. The other half are the casual shots, as they show how expressive the child can be. The swimsuit shots are the icing on the cake, as they show how comfortable the child is in minimal clothing, a definite plus in a business with virtually no privacy.

You will also need a headshot, the standard 8x10 glossy. Whereas with the other shots you can get a little artistic, this shot you can not. You need a full-on shot of the child smiling; not three-quarters shot, not a serious shot, but a straight-on smiling shot against a boring gray background. A good portrait photographer will understand what you need and you will the shot within a few tries; a bad one will just create stress. You can get different looks, but anything more than the basic look should go in the portfolio.

Classes are debatable, and you should wait until you have talked to an agent. Some agencies look for a natural ability, especially in younger kids; anyone can be taught but few have the talent. In older children, their resume will also be taken into account, especially if they have done any acting or prior modeling.

Once you have all of this, you can find an agency. Do not make the mistake of going to an acting agency; their emphasis is acting jobs, and they are looking for specific looks instead of just good-looking ones. A modeling agency can give you a better appraisal of the child's looks and what kind of modeling that they can get into. They may want to re-do some or all of the pictures, but that's a discussion you need to have with them. Once the child is signed, it's just matter of waiting for that first call; and you're in!