Is your child born for the camera? Maybe you are interested in getting your son or daughter into the modeling world but aren’t sure how to get started. You are not alone and you have come to the right place to find out how to get them going.
My girls love the camera, and as such our tradition for their birthdays is special photoshoots. We set up a background at home for them, get them new clothes to wear for the session, and have a great time playing with poses and such.
They haven’t expressed a larger interest in actual modeling, but in case they ever do I have done some research for us all to get them started! Let’s dive in!
How to Get Them Started
There is this thing called casting calls. What’s that? Well, a chance for your child to become a model. You would get your son or daughter signed up and share a modeling portfolio for them to get noticed by agents.
Different agencies search for different looks, and for the best chance you should do your research on what the different agencies are looking for. In doing this, you would be able to help hone your child to the look that suits them best and give them their best shot at beginning their modeling career.
Actively reaching out to modeling agencies with your child’s portfolio will bring up your chances even more!
You should also have your child prepared before starting this venture. Critics are not always the nicest, however, helping your son or daughter have thick skin will be a bonus for helping them embrace their confidence.
They should be mindful of their manners and also be able to accept feedback whether it be negative or positive.
You too should keep in mind the idea of thick skin and be able to embrace the feedback given. As a parent, you don’t see your child as less than anything or compare them. But a modeling agency will compare them.
What is the Best Age to Get my Child to Start Modeling?
There is not a direct answer to this. Essentially, even newborns have been photographed for modeling. According to Backstage, the most important element for your child to get started is in fact their interest in modeling.
They also point out that the more experience they have in modeling, the better.
For high-end fashion modeling, the industry has looked to people between the ages of 16 to 21. This gives their brand a more youthful appearance. There are usual measurements that are expected to be met including height, weight, hip measurement, and so forth.
This does not automatically disqualify your child from a modeling career, but it does steer certain agencies and clients away. Not all of them though, in fact, some agencies expanded to include more heavyset people.
How Much Could my Child Get Paid to Model?
The rates typically vary by state and even age. According to ZipRecruiter, the average amount a model makes in a month is over 7 thousand dollars, which puts them at no less than 46 dollars an hour.
As I said this amount can vary based on plenty of factors. Even seeing as much as 24 thousand a month to as little as 1,750 dollars per month. The average amounts range between over 2 thousand to over 12 thousand dollars.
According to the same ZipRecruiter research, models based in California see quite a bit more than the average dollar amount.
The Cons of Child Modeling
Based on information provided by TMB, The Model Builders, there are certainly downsides to enlisting your child in their modeling venture. These include,
- The amount of time it takes to dedicate yourself and your child to their new career.
- You have to prioritize their modeling, even if it means canceling other plans at the last minute.
- They need to always look their best.
- There is a lot of pressure and tension to ensure they can land the jobs they want.
- The media. Ah yes, by modeling for a career, the media will always be looking at you, making privacy a bit lacking.
The Pros of Child Modeling
Like many other things, modeling does not only have cons to the career, but also the good things! TMB sheds light on the following positive things that could come out of your child doing modeling.
- Exposure to the world!
- Helping them learn to manage their money.
- Their savings account! This could potentially put away plenty of money for their bright future! For college or world travel or whatever else inspires your child in the future.
- They can learn to understand and even cope with rejection, and this is important for absolutely everyone.
- It can help build their confidence in themselves, and even help them to love themselves first so they don’t seek it in negative ways.
Final Thoughts
If your child wants to model, be their support system. Help them come to terms and accept the reality that this would put them in. Ensure that you and they are absolutely ready. To reach their dreams they need to embrace hard work because nothing comes to us easily if it is worth it.
