Is Your Child in Modeling?

My daughter did modeling when she was a baby. Everyone stopped us, even when we were in a different state, saying she HAD to model. My niece had done it so I referred to them for advice. My daughter modeled for Unique Models and Talent out of Grand Rapids. She did lots of photo shoots for Meijer. The only bad thing was that Meijer's photography studio of choice (for over 25 years) was based out of Benton Harbor. She only ever modeled for Meijer ads, which got daunting driving to Benton Harbor, so we quit doing it.
You can send in your own photos until the age of 2, after that, they ask that you get head shots done. We got paid a base amount....whether or not she was in the Meijer ad. If she was put into the ad, she got additional money. So we always got paid for our travel/gas. They will call you when your daughter meets the requirements of what a particular company is looking for and you can choose to take it or not take it, based on your schedule and where you have to travel to. But from what I experienced and have been told, you WILL travel, not everything is in your town.
My suggestion would be to call Unique in GR and see if they have any recommendations for a place in Lansing or near you.

We enjoyed doing it for my daughter...we have some cool ads that we have laminated and have some fun stories to tell in the future. Enjoy it, have fun! Good luck!

My son did model for a product once ... for a take a long teather
http://www.takealongtether.com/howto.html
He is the baby model. It was fun for the day, but it's not easy. I would say find a talent agent and go from there if you want to do it professionally.

First of all, if someone asks you for $$ you RUN, don't walk away. Don't get involved in all the classes to make her better either... anyone wanting $$ for anything is scamming you.

I've been in modeling most of my life and my 16 yr old dabbles in it. It has ups and downs. If your child does not like it GET OUT. If your child does well... put the $$ in an account for your child... your child is WORKING for that $$.

It is WORK and it is not a piece of cake. You do have some expenses like wear and tear and gas for going to auditions. I've never paid my own plane ticket for a job but some people do.

Be prepared for a lot of rejection. Your child will not fit what every agent is looking for. When you are called to an audition, you go... you drop what you are doing and you go... meaning it might be nap time, dinner time and a time when your toddler is not in such a great mood. There is a lot of sitting and waiting, stage moms from he$$.

I enjoy it and I always have.. I was brought up in the South and participated in many pageants leading up to the Miss America series. No, I was not in Miss America, I went into the state level and stopped when I graduated from college. I was however, a Miss America judge for local pageants which made the "winner" move on to the next step in the process.

My daughter has interest one day and not the next, depending on what she has going on. She did a week long job in LA and swore she would never model again and now she is dabbling in it again. Who knows.

Most agencies, especially in the Dallas area, accept snapshots (not professional pics) and if they are interested, they contact you.

Just remember, if your child does not love it then STOP.

Don't pay anything. Research the modeling agencies in your local area. Call them to ask what their requirements are. Normally they will want you to send them a picture or two (pics you take yourself should be fine) of your daughter along with all her vital statistics: birthdate, clothing size, shoe size, phone number. That should be all that you need to do. If they suggest anything that costs you money, say "no thanks" and call the next place. If she is what their clients are looking for, they will call you.