Anyone ever put their babies up for modelling?

[stifler]

Before anyone comes out with any typical 'model jokes', I'm talking babies and young kids.

Mrs Stifler decided to send pics of our daughter, 14weeks old,to a couple of companies that are model agencies(without asking me, but that's a whole different discussion) two of them have got back saying they want to sign my daughter up.

Has anyone ever done this? And did they pay to be put in the portfolio? The company seem to be legit as far as I can make out, as in have spoken to people on the phone rather than just email, but they are asking for money to be put on their books. I've heard people say before 'never give money to agencies' but I've never dealt with anything like this.

Any advice welcome.

She is 14weeks old, dodgy comments are gonna make you look like a paedo! Please keep it clean.

[gazza_3]

Kinda young for all that isn't it.

This thread is worthless with out photos

[elster]

Friend of mine and his sister were both baby models.

They didn't exactly have a jetset lifestyle, but he does tell everyone he meets.

His sister is hot, so I guess they can usually tell who will turn into a looker. He is the failure of the rule.

[mybrainhurts]

Like this...?

[Balmoral Green]

mybrainhurts said:

Like this...?

Got any of the missus?

[MilnerR]

If your daughter really is the next "face of pampers" then the agency wouldn't be charging you to put her on the books, they'd be charging the companies wanting her image.


Did you know that the word gullible has been left out of the Oxford Dictionary, go and have a look.

Edited by MilnerR on Monday 26th January 20:16

[dave_s13]

If you pay actual money to have you/your kid/dog/cat registered with an agency then you're pretty much an idiot. Generally speaking.

[stifler]

MilnerR said:

If your daughter really is the next "face of pampers" then the agency wouldn't be charging you to put her on the books, they'd be charging the companies wanting her image.


Did you know that the word gullible has been left out of the Oxford Dictionary, go and have a look.

Edited by MilnerR on Monday 26th January 20:16

Hece asking other people if they have ever had any experience or recommendations.

[JonnyV8]

My younger brother did a bit when he was 5/6 for a large department store.
Got about £100 per hour for fk all.

[rude-boy]

If someone is charging you to do it forget it.

[cslgirl]

There are a few agencies which are cons - modelsdirect being one of them

Check out

http://www.babyworld.co.uk/information/newparents/...

Lots more info here - inc name and shame lists.

http://www.albamodel.info/


Most of the work will be in London and last minute (so I was told) so you need to be near London.

Edited by cslgirl on Monday 26th January 20:35

[stifler]

cslgirl said:

There are a few agencies which are cons - modelsdirect being one of them

Check out

http://www.babyworld.co.uk/information/newparents/...

Lots more info here

http://www.albamodel.info/

Many thanks. Models direct are one of the companies that I was talking about. Do you have experience of this yourself?

[cslgirl]

No but I looked into it with my daughter and the Alba website has a name and shame list and models direct is one of them. They wont leave you alone. I think Elisabeth Smith is a good one but they all do seem to charge a fee - even if nominal. Go with a recommendation if you can and google the agency to get reviews.

[mybrainhurts]

Balmoral Green said:

mybrainhurts said:

Like this...?

Got any of the missus?

Just this once, she does't like being seen...

[cslgirl]

This was one of the emails from a reputable company:

Dear XXX

Thank you for your email and photographs regarding modelling.

We feel from the photographs that XXXXXXXXX will be suitable for modelling and would like to offer you a contract with Elisabeth Smith.

Initially, for all models to be seen and booked by our clients, it is advisable that they appear on our web site . The cost for this is £175 excluding photography. Our model directory is published yearly in October and we would like to offer you the opportunity of going into the publication for an additional fee of £50. This would extend your child's contract to October 2009 and your child would appear in the model directory and on the website. Work cannot be guaranteed as the client makes the final choice. However, every models photograph will be circulated and therefore have the chance to be booked for photography, TV commercials, video and films.

The contract with Elisabeth Smith Ltd will be for one year from the date of registration or October 2009 if entry into the model directory is taken up. The cost will include any photographic up dates on the website.

All children with Elisabeth Smith are on a sole agency basis, with the exception of children over 5 years registered with Theatrical Agents.

The following documents are attached to this email:

Terms of Registration
Measurement Form
Model Rates

If you wish to register with Elisabeth Smith, please complete the measurement and agreement forms and return with the fee of £175 (web only) £225 (web and model directory) (made payable to Elisabeth Smith Ltd) Please confirm where and when the photographs are being taken. Children under 2 years need a headshot and over 2, a full length and headshot. When we have received all the documents and photographs your child will appear on our website. We are also often asked for families and it would be helpful if you could include a picture of the family for our files.

If you would like to discuss this further please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely



Elisabeth Smith

[rude-boy]

I know two people who have been asked to do a portfolio by well known agencies, both more than once and as they've grow up. They/their parents have always turned it down.

Seriously don't waste your time chasing a few £100, even if they were offering a free portfolio and it was an agency you didn't have to google, steer clear.

Edited by rude-boy on Monday 26th January 20:49

[Nolar Dog]

I just posted a big post on here and it's disappeared?

Anyway...

It's not usually the case that a reputable agency will charge for a portfolio however it is not unknown either.

Ignore those that say "If they charge, run away" because that's simply not true.

Who are the other agency? I see you mentioned Models Direct (as did I in the missing post) but who is the other?
How much are they asking for and what is included?
Could you have a port done by an photographer who's not emplyed by/freelances to them?
How many models do they have signed?
How many regular clients do they have?
Are they a child specific agency?
Would you/your children been tied into a "sole agency" contract, whereby you can't work for others?
How do they pay and how often?
Do they have any references?

Totally avoid at all costs modelsdirect as they simply do not exist in the sense of being an agency with clients. They are merely a studio that will overcharge for substandard images and never provide any work.

If you take a look at Model Mayhem you should be able to register a model profile there, upload a few good quality shots and a bit about the children.
At least that way for now people will get to see they exist and what they look like.

[dave_s13]

cslgirl said:

This was one of the emails from a reputable company:

begging letter

Fools and their money and all that.

Crazy.

[mr_spock]

My son did some modelling in a Graco catalogue. We certainly did NOT pay the agency any fees IIRC. I'll send this thread to my Wife who organised it and see if she can tell you more....

[stifler]

Nolar Dog said:

I just posted a big post on here and it's disappeared?

Anyway...

It's not usually the case that a reputable agency will charge for a portfolio however it is not unknown either.

Ignore those that say "If they charge, run away" because that's simply not true.

Who are the other agency? I see you mentioned Models Direct (as did I in the missing post) but who is the other?
How much are they asking for and what is included?
Could you have a port done by an photographer who's not emplyed by/freelances to them?
How many models do they have signed?
How many regular clients do they have?
Are they a child specific agency?
Would you/your children been tied into a "sole agency" contract, whereby you can't work for others?
How do they pay and how often?
Do they have any references?

Totally avoid at all costs modelsdirect as they simply do not exist in the sense of being an agency with clients. They are merely a studio that will overcharge for substandard images and never provide any work.

If you take a look at Model Mayhem you should be able to register a model profile there, upload a few good quality shots and a bit about the children.
At least that way for now people will get to see they exist and what they look like.

Thanks for the info. Tbh it was sprung on me on sat lunchtime when models direct rang up to speak to the mrs. I hadn't even known that she had sent my daughters pics in. I'm honestly not sure who the other agency are, its a discusion(sp) that we will be having when I get home from work (after the argument about the other thread) I'm not sure about the whole thing but it kinda is money for nothing if it works out.