IS MODELING RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD?

Before submitting a photo, DO ...
• Know your child. Is he extroverted with strangers? Does he mind being told what to wear? Does he take direction well?

• Ask your child. Does she want to do it? If she is not old enough to understand, think about the following: Is she happy having her picture taken? Does she like trying on clothes? Does she like meeting and speaking to other kids and adults?

• Evaluate your lifestyle. You must be flexible. If both parents work full time, your family travels for months at a time, or if you are unable to pull your child from school for jobs & auditions, you might decide modeling is not the right path for your family. If you have multiple children, are you able to arrange or pay for child care for your other children when you need to bring your young talent to see a client?

• Have realistic expectations. Modeling is not always the glamorous life portrayed on TV. You will spend a lot of time in the car or in a waiting room. Very few kids skyrocket to superstardom. Normally, models start out in their local market doing print work for catalogs, online sites and some commercials. While bigger jobs such as TV shows and movie opportunities do come up, they are less frequent. Think of every go-see (meeting with a client) as a positive experience for your child.

• Be prepared for rejection. The fact is, your child may not be accepted by every agency in town and they certainly won't book every job they audition for. It's nothing personal. Stay positive and keep at it as long as your child is having fun.

• Be ready to drop everything. After you've signed with an agency, that's when the work begins. Jobs and castings happen at the last minute. You will normally get calls the night before you need to be somewhere. Updating photos, sizes and Entertainment Work Permits are your responsibility.

• Let your child speak for themselves. Whether meeting with an agent or a client, your child should answer questions directed to them. Encourage them by not answering for them.

• Trust your instincts. If you get a bad feeling about a "modeling school" or agency, listen to your gut. Do your research and ask questions.

• Remember: this is a job. Be prepared and on time to everything! On set, parents need to step back and let the crew direct the models. Parents should remain professional at all times. You never know who the person standing next to you might be. Remember, the objective of the shoot is not to add to your scrapbook, it's to produce an image that will attract buyers to a product.

• Relax and Enjoy! Yes, it will be stressful for you, but pursuing a modeling career for your child should be fun for them. The less you stress, the more enjoyable it is for everyone.

Written by Shannon Malloy, children's agent at JE Model

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