If your kids have great looks and personalities modeling and commercial work could be a good idea.
If you have a child that has a great look and personality who enjoys attention and likes being in front of the camera, getting her into modeling and commercials is a definite option. Modeling and commercials allow your child to capitalize on her assets and good behavior and lets her start saving for college at a very young age. While it might seem overly complicated to even begin such an endeavor, approaching the process strategically can allow you to make informed decisions, creating a solid foundation of work behind your child.
Instructions
1. Look up all the talent and modeling agencies near you that have children's divisions by visiting websites like "Talent Agency Match" or "Child Models Advice." If you live in or near major cities like New York, Chicago or Los Angeles you'll have many to choose from. If you live in other parts of the country, you'll most likely have less options.
2. Call each prospective agency, asking for the name of the person in the children's division and to confirm their mailing address. Check to see if they accept online submissions.
3. Take snapshots of your child. Take one shot of your child smiling, ideally from the neck or shoulders up. Take another full body from head to toe of your child. Mail or email each of your two shots to each agency near you with a brief letter explaining that you are seeking print and commercial representation for your child and include your contact information.
4. Schedule meetings with prospective agents that respond to your child's submissions. Ask how many children they represent, why they're interested in representing your child and recent jobs that the children under them have booked. You may have offers from various agents. In that case it's best to sign with the agency you simply like best on a gut level and/or which has the most clients out and booking.
5. Ask the prospective agent to recommend headshot photographers. Examine the recommended photographers portfolios and simply select the one you and your child like best.
6. Schedule a shoot with that particular photographer. Bring several outfits both formal and casual from your child's closet to the shoot, and let the photographer pick the ones he likes best for your child. Ideally, bring clothes that have colors that pop.
7. Email your agent the online proofsheet from the session and meet with the agent to select the best pictures for your child to print off for headshots and comp cards. Ask the photographer to recommend a headshot printing place.
8. Print off 100 headshots of you and your agent's favorite shot and the the shots for your comp cards. Give your agent 20 hard copies of the photo and upload a digital image to your agent's database.
9. Attend each casting call punctually with your child well-dressed in the appropriate outfit for the gig. Rehearse reading commercial copy with your child to get him used to reading and memorizing lines quickly.
10. Ask your agent for recommendations for commercial and on-camera classes. Audit the recommended classes and choose the one your child likes best. This will help prepare your child for commercial and print auditions.
