Ever since Aiden had his first audition, several people have asked me “How did you go about it?”. If you’re looking for how to find kids modeling agencies, or how to get your kids into modeling industry , then you’re in the right place.
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Finding A Reputable Model or Talent Agency To Represent Your Child
I am not an expert on this topic by any means. But I am glad to share the little knowledge that I have with anyone who is interested. This post will explain how to find kids modeling agencies and baby modeling agencies. As well as weed out the scam agencies from the real ones. Check out one of Aiden’s recent gigs, here.
Kids Modeling Agencies
Aiden is currently signed with Zuri Model and Talent, and they have officesin Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY. You can find a list of Los Angeles kids modeling agencies as well as baby modeling agencies below.
What Are The Best Model And Talent Agencies For Kids In Los Angeles?
I did a lot of research about agencies prior to submitting Aiden. I actually submitted him to several of them but I was told that they were full and were not interested inrepresenting him. In the beginning, we didn’t focus so much on open calls, but these are also an option.
The good thing is, needs always change, and you can always re-submit every 3 monthsto 6 months. Aiden has always been a natural for the camera from a very young age, so finding photos to submit was quite easy.
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After several people suggested it, I decided to submit him. I also thought to myself, why not, I have nothing to lose after all.
All the kids modeling and baby modeling agencies I emailed, including Zuri Model and Talent responded with an email that they didn’t have any need for children his age at that time.
Zuri Model And Talent Agency
I thought to myself, no biggie, and about 6 months later I tried again and was quite shocked when I received this email below from an amazing agency that does baby modeling and kids modeling – Zuri Model and Talent.
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Aiden has been to several auditions andold Navy was the first job he booked. At the time we lived about a 2.5 hour drive from Hollywood, and I made sure to commit to taking him each time he had an audition.
I didn’t expect anything from him or the audition, I just wanted him to enjoy whatever he was doing. I just wanted him to have fun with it!
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I have been to auditions and seen parents yell at their children for not doing well; children as young as 2-3 year old’s. I think this is absolutely terrible and I honestly feel so bad for those children.
A child should never feel pressured to do anything they don’t want to do. And a child should never be made to feel bad for not performing well. Encouragement is KEY. The minute Aiden tells me “Mom, I don’t want want to do this anymore,” is the minute we will stop.
As Aiden’s mother, I am just here to guide him through anything and everythinghe shows interest in. Including being a fashion model. Basically, I am following his lead as he navigates this modeling career. Just like I do with every other activity he participates in.
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How To Find A Good Modeling Agency For Your Child
And, How To Find Out If A Modeling Agency Is Legit
Below are few things you should know about finding a reputable agent to represent your child:
1. Anyone or any agency that asks you to pay any fees upfront is a SCAM!!
You should not pay for anything. Not for a membership, not even for photos or head shots. Any agency that represents your child will only get paid, when your child gets paid.
When you sign a contract with them, they will tell you how much of a percentage they will take forunion and non-union jobs. That percentage will only be taken when your child gets a job and gets paid. Never before!!
Please beware of those companies that set up at the mall and try to lure you in. They tell you that they can represent your child, get your hopes up and then at the end of the day, they ask for a hefty sign up fee. They are definitely FAKE!
2. There is no need to waste money an expensivephoto shoot
All of Aiden’s photos that I submitted were taken by myself or my husband. You can absolutely get by withoutprofessional photos. You just want to make sure that you take clear photos in natural lighting. Always preform some test shoots first.
Nomake up, no head bands or hats, making sure that your child’s face can be seen clearly. Also, make sure that the photos are very recent, and that your child looks as close to the head-shots or photos as possible.
You will need about 3 to 4 photos including head shots (with a smile and without a smile) and full body as well to submit to several kids modeling agencies and baby modeling agencies as well. You can see the photos I submitted in the video below.
3. Do your research !!!!
Prior to submitting do your research and make sure that the agency you are submitting to will be a good fit you and your child. I can’t stress this enough, Do Your Research!!! Find a modeling agency that represents the same values that you hold dear.
It is always a plus if the agency is SAG (Screen Actor Guild) franchised and/or amember of AFTRA (The American Federation of Television and Radio Artist). Consider this a background check for the agency for ensure the agency is legit.
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4. Submit your kid to as many agencies as you want
There is no limit on how many agencies you can submit your child to. I personally think it is better to submit to as many as you can. Thereby increasing your child’s chances of success. This includes top modelling agencies you might feel are out of reach, do it anyway.
You have absolutely nothing to loose. For some of the agencies, it is as simple an upload online; whereas others, you may have to print photos and mail it to them. Others may want a comp card. It all depends on the agency.
Also, most of the child model agencies will allow you to submit every 3 to 6 months.
So make sure you keep up if your child does not get accepted the firsttime.
5. Do not let otherpeople’smisconceptions influence your decision to submit your child
I’ve had people tell me I was going to raiseand entitled brat who won’t focus in school and won’t amount to anything because that’s all he’ll be thinking about. Of course they are wrong, and you can click here to read more about our homeschooling adventures and how well Aiden is doing at school.
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I’ve also had someone tell me that I am making my child work and that I am a bad parentfor doing that. If you watch this video onYouTube, you’ll see how much he enjoyed his first gig and none of it was considered work to him.
I have also had people tell me that they would rather their child enjoy their childhood than model and miss out on it. If you know Aiden, you know he is absolutely not missing out on his childhood. Just take a look at the Travel section of my blog to see all the amazing places we’ve traveled to.
So don’t feel bad about your kid being in the modeling industry! Do what’s best for them.
6. Be ready to commit
Some weeks your child may not get an audition at all, and some weeks your child may even have two auditions in one week. It is important that you understand the commitment and that you are ready to take it on. Kid modeling agencies don’t like it when you don’t make it to auditions. That’s how they make their money.
Agents will not want to keep your child ontheir roster if you can’t make it to auditions. I also know that some agencieshave a restriction on location, meaning they may only want to representchildren who are within a certain mile radius.
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Remember, they get paid only when your childbooks a job and gets paid as well. Also remember that sometimes you may spendonly 15 minutes at an audition, or as much as 4 hours.
We did a Pampers auditionand were there for over 3hrs, what seemed like eternity. Thegood thing is, there were other kids his age and Moms. So it was more like a play-date so we had a good time.
7. Be a realist
It doesn’t take one gig to become a millionaire or super star. So be very realistic, especially of pay expectations. You will be surprised that when kid modeling agencies book your kids jobs, it may not pay as much as you think.
You will be even more surprised at how much is taken out in taxes even if it’s a baby modeling. When Aiden received his check, my husband and I were like “Whattttttttttt.” Our dear Uncle Sam had his hit check before we even saw it, and had snatched as much as he could.
Again, we didn’t go into this for the money, so it did not matter much. Even though he did not understand the numbers, he was excited to deposit a check with his name on it at the bank. It is like getting paid for something you are already doing, taking photos. So it was only just an added bonus.
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8. If at first you don’tsucceed
Just like the song goes, “If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again, try again”. Your child may not have been accepted by any agency, and that’s okay. The first time I submitted Aiden and no agent was interested, it didn’t bother me one bit.
It wasn’t something I was focused on. It wasmore like, if it happens, “Yay,” and if it doesn’t “No bigdeal.” After all, it didn’t cost me anything, and I didn’t lose anything.My advice to you is, if you really want it, you can make it happen for yourchild.
Giving up is not an option. Or if you get an agent, but are not able to book any jobagain don’t give up. It took Aiden a few auditions before he was able to book Old Navy.
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9. Let your child havefun
Please do not ever pressure your child into doanything they don’t want to do. Do not live your dreams through your child. Theminute Aiden tells me he is done, is the day that we will be done.
I have been to auditions and have seen parents scold their children, be rough with themand give them a terrible look of disappointment for not booking a role.
I get it, you took your time to search for kids modeling agencies and took your time to submit your kids, but at the end of the day, your kids need to decide if they want to do it or not.
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That should never happen. You should be able to encourage your children, lift them up, build them, give them the confidence they need, and support their dreams as well.
I remember taking Aiden to an audition andhe was missing his cousin so much so that his answer to every question was “Ethan this and Ethan that.” Personally, I thought it was quite funny, and made some time for him to visit his cousin the next day.
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I hope you were able to learn a thing or two from my experiences. Especially if you have some young aspiring models in your family. Keep in mind that we started this process a long time ago, and also things always change and evolve. For example, social media is quickly becoming one of the top platforms for model scouting.
Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have below. Including questions about acting, which Aiden is also finding a passion for. Also please don’t forget to share this post if you found it useful to you.