Former model Katie Froud set up Alba Model Information to combat unscrupulous element that prevails in most walks of life and she gives her advice on the pitfalls to avoid if you are thinking of putting your child into the modelling industry.
 Of course every proud parent thinks his or her child is beautiful; but if you think your baby or child has that extra certain something it takes to become a model, then take a careful note of the things required for baby and child modelling. Whether you are looking at this area for your baby, toddler or even your teenager, you as the parent and guardian will want to know more about this fun and interesting industry before you consider entering your child onto the modelling scene.
The Clients
Many corporations and industries utilise the baby & child model in situations such as: -
Product Advertising - Advertising a baby or child toy or product such as a learning toy, playtime toys Products such as nappies or bathing products, you will find many examples within products such as Parenting Magazines and upon the Television during commercial breaks, plus child models are used on the boxes or labels of many products and toys.
Editorial Advertising – On the front cover of Parenting Magazines you will see a baby model either alone or with an adult model. This is catch the attention of the potential purchaser and also editorial pictures are often used within Magazines or newspapers in the run of print for a feature for a particular article. Other examples are places such as the cover of a book about baby care and within the book showing particular aspects of child care. Another example would be healthcare leaflets for young mothers. Baby & child models undertake all of these types of work.
Commercial & TV – Advertising a product, toy or even asking for help with a particular charity such as the NSPCC. You will notice more around Christmas, Easter and end of school holidays advertising all types of things of interest either to children or their parents such as toys, baby products and clothes.
The child
Children are one of natures most beautiful gifts, however, when it comes to modelling no matter how much of a beauty, or how full of character, EVERY child model must be well behaved and have good manners.
All baby & child models must have good skin (freckles are acceptable and cute), bright eyes, good teeth, nails and hands. Glasses give a fun and quirky character look so if your child looks different instead of beautiful, he or she may still have potential
If you have a baby or toddler, which will become either a shrinking violet, and withdraws from strangers whilst you are with your child or perhaps becomes sulky, disruptive and throws a tantrum or burst into tears when spoken to by strangers then it is best to forget the idea of modelling unless your child becomes better disciplined or more confident as they grow older and develop. Many children do become more confident and cooperative with time. Better still get them involved in a stage school as they will learn to interact with other children and adults plus learn to be directed and to listen.
The Parent
Although it is many parents dream to see their child in a magazine or upon an advertisement poster, it is also hard work for the parent. YOU, must be a good timekeeper, reliable and prompt. You will need your own transport, your own telephone and be able to be flexible with your time. You will have to have a pleasant personality and remember that no one likes a pushy or bolshy parent.
The ability to cope with rejection is also essential in the parent, never take it personally or become upset if your child does not get the assignment. You should never be rude or difficult with either the client or the casting directors, as you never know, your child may be put forward by the agency for another company using the same casting director and if they recall you being rude, then your child will probably not be called.
Another thing to consider is the amount of waiting around that you the parent will do whilst either waiting to be seen for a casting, or at an actual assignment. Likewise when arriving for a photo or TV commercial shoot there may be a lot of setting up within the studio required before the shoot can get underway. So you will have to go prepared to wait and make sure you have all you need with you to keep baby or toddler happy, such as food, change of nappy and or a favourite toy or book that your child likes to read.
Be sensible about your own working or social commitments, many parents with busy work or lifestyles find that a healthy grandparent can actually have a lot of fun acting as chaperone to the model grandchild whilst the parents deal with work or family commitments of other children.
If you decide to take the chaperoning on the you will have to be prepared with regard to your family commitments by ensuring that any other children in the family are looked after as you cannot cart along the whole family to an assignment, at the assignment your attention has to be fully on the child booked in order to keep the model happy and ready to co-operate. If other children are at school you should ensure that someone is able to collect them in case any delay prevents you from being there.
The money
In fact in most cases child modelling does not provide huge amounts of money as an income, it should be in reality be treated as a fun hobby. However all good agencies will help you deal with the finances should your child’s annual income go over the Tax allowance.
Agencies will pay the models only once the client has paid so you will need to know what the invoicing time will be from your agency (say 30 days)- the legal time limit to pay models is 10 working days from the date of client payment UNLESS you have agreed in a signed contract that the agency can to hold onto the fee for longer. So make sure you read your contract carefully and understand all of the clauses before signing.
The Agencies Act which is monitored by the DTI Agencies Inspectorate states clearly that once the client has paid the modelling fee to the agency, then that agency must put funds into a client account ( like Solicitors ).Commission is deducted before payment to the workers note that fees earned by your child must be paid into a bank/savings account the name of the child. Chaperone and travel expenses / fees are paid in the name of the parent.
The Law
If your child becomes successful and obtains a booked assignment then your agency should obtain permission for your child to work by way of a licence. This is obtained from your local authority for the child to work as a model, as thankfully, in the U.K child labour is illegal and there are rules governing child modelling. Child licensing applies from the age of zero months to the legal school leaving age.
The licensing officers ensure that the work your baby or child is to carry out is within a safe environment, baby changing is provided and that the baby or child is not working long and unreasonable hours or detrimental to your child’s health.
If you are unsure then please do contact the NNCEE – The National Network for Child Employment & Entertainment. Web site is www.buckscc.gov.uk/nncee
How to find an agency and apply
See the A list of Alba approved agencies upon our web site albamodel.info this can be printed for free. Alba recommended agencies trade to an excellent standard and are vetted by us. Please note that Alba does not charge a fee to the agencies to appear upon the A List for recommendation
Snapshot pictures are all you need to send to an agency. Along with contact details name, sex and age of child.
Note parents should ensure children are clothed, Agents do not want or need to see bare private parts and pictures can get lost in post
If you are being asked for a consultation deposit you may prefer to try another agency the choice is yours, but we recommend that you check that the agency asking you for any fees are in fact Alba recommended since we will only recommend those agencies which have a good reputation for finding their models work and that trade to an excellent standard and have not had any complaints to the DTI Inspectorate upheld.
How does and agent find work?
Agents often have tools such as a web site to show models (restricted access for security purposes) along with a model directory (this is often online for ease of change of pictures as your child grows). Agents usually have a good client base but they also ensure they are available to send model details to prospective clients. Many of the genuine agencies deliberately limit the number of models that they keep on their books to try to ensure each child has a chance or opportunity.
How does and agent get paid?
Remember that genuine Agencies will need to recoup their marketing costs (cost of sending faxes, phone calls, sending out directories to clients, invoicing & applying for licences) and the agency also earns their money by charging a percentage of the fee your child. The agency commission fee is usually 20 - 25% is taken out from money paid by the client to the agency for the work completed. Therefore, the higher the fee the agency can obtain for your child, the more commission they will receive from fees, so commission is incentive to find your child work.
Although you will eventually have to consider paying a fee for representation within the Agency Model web site, you should never part with any money at your initial interview with an Agency. Always take time to go away and have a think about what has been said to you and to read any paperwork such as a contract.
Take a reality Check. In the past we have heard of parents stating that they will not permit their child to model in term times, and only in the evenings or weekends… this is not how the modelling industry works it is 9 to 5pm weekday industry so that is when your child will be expected to work. So the parent of the child is being unrealistic if not unreasonable, as the industry does not revolve around the child.
Model portfolio
Once you have been successful and joined a good Agency, they may suggest various Photographers that will take test shots for a small outlay plus the cost of prints, so you either pay the photographer directly or sometimes the agency will take the cost from fees earned.
When your child first starts modelling you will only have a few pictures to put in their book, do not worry you will find that with time you will build up a variety of different pictures, some of them from assignments your child has completed as time goes on. Most agencies now have a web site and these are used and produced by the Agency to promote all of the models on their books in one go simply by placing one or two good pictures of each model. Most agents have a secure site to ensure restricted access. Under new legislation if the agency is a web site orientated agency and then they can only pass on a reasonable charge for your child to be represented upon the web site.
Because you and your child will be expected to attend castings and auditions, there will be monetary outlay to get to these things, as you are best to assume you will not be paid to travel or attend these things costs can arise for no income until your child does obtain an assignment. For this reason some agencies will only take models which live within a one to one and a half hour travel distance, and also for the obvious reason that a tired child will not react well, and often the agency will only have 24 hours notice of a casting, so you must be able to get your act together and get your child there in a fresh and happy state of mind.
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