Modeling Agencies and Babies. What's Your Experience?

If they are legitimate, they will have SAG-AFTRA license. Google it and find out!
Also, if they want you, they will never ask for money. My brother was a model for many years. He never paid anything out of pocket.

If you want to waste your daughter's childhood standing in lines and getting rejected (because as it turns out there are lots of beautiful babies/kids in the world) then sure, give them a call.

If someone handed me a card like that, I'd toss it in the nearest trash can.

I have a friend who tried to get her kids into modeling. They're grown now, and she still regrets it because while the rest of us were outside with our kids doing fun things with them, she was sitting in hallways at casting calls eating out of a backpack and trying to keep her kids occupied for hours on end. So not worth it.

Only being realistic here, they want your money. Places like that hang out in places where people bring their children and compliment and hand out cards.

Unless you are good at resisting the hard sell, don't call them.

I'm sorry to say this, because it's so flattering when someone tells you that your child is beautiful... but no major modeling agency hands out cards in shopping malls. It's usually the shops that want you to pay for photos or talent scouts that send you to open casting jobs (where you wait in lines and get rejected a lot).

I have twin girls who were really adorable babies, and I, too, was stopped and asked to have them model. Several times, actually. Fortunately, I have family in "the business" (modeling/acting) and they were able to check out all of the agencies that approached me... and it turns out that all of them were quasi-scams. Unfortunately, this is probably the case for you too.

But - if you have the time and desire to try this out (remember: lots of sitting around, lots of rejection, not much financial gain), you lose nothing if you call this woman and ask what her agency could do for your daughter. Just know that if she asks you to spend ANY money, it's time to walk away. That means that you should not have to pay her for photos, or go somewhere else to have them taken. If this place is legit, THEY will pay for your daughter's pictures.

Reputable agencies (meaning, professional and legit) do not ask for ANY money. None. They pay for head shots and portfolios, and take commission from any jobs to recoup the investment. You NEVER pay for anything. You probably weren't the only person who was told they had a pretty baby today. Agencies need a lot of models, so they are constantly recruiting. Here's the thing, the REALLY good agencies, don't need to give out cards at malls. People come to THEM.

It's a lot of sitting and waiting. A LOT of not getting jobs. It's not actually very lucrative for many people. You have to be really flexible. The casting calls are at all kinds of different times and days. The casting calls can take hours and hours. There is a lot of boredom, tears, tantrums. It's long, tedious, and boring. There are lots of pretty babies out there. I'm sorry to say, there is usually one more behaved, more beautiful, and more fitting for the job. You won't be picked often. That's why agencies have a lot of models. The more models, the more jobs that gain commission. It's a very harsh business. Perhaps not this young (but maybe) you hear a lot of what is not ideal about your child. And, to reiterate...it's not fun for kids.

Legit agencies do NOT approach you. The people who approach you want your money. The people who approach you will offer to get your baby in classes and do a portfolio which is a scam.

You spend ZERO money if you are a model. Everything is paid for by the agency.

I have modeled most of my life and my daughter models occasionally as well. It is NOT an easy job.. it is WORK. We model independently and some companies in our area prefer not to work with agencies. That said, we do not work often, only when we get something we might be interested in and that fits our schedule.

If you are with an agency, you have to have a thick skin because as pretty as you or your child is, she/he will not be a fit for everyone and you will get a lot of negative responses. You get a lot more negatives than positives in this business. It can ruin your self esteem.

If you are interested in the lifestyle which is not easy, you submit a photo to a reputable agency and if they like you, they will pursue you.

Personally, I never did the auditions, etc with my daughter. Time is too precious to waste by spending it in long lines of stage moms wanting their baby to be the next big name.

If you actually get into it, be ready for a lot of rejection, waiting in long lines with whiny babies and children, stage moms and rushed all the time. IF your child makes any money, make sure you put that money into ac account for your child because your child will earn it not you.

I repeat.... spend ZERO money. If you are asked for as much as a penny, RUN don't walk away.

If it is something you are interested in, submit your daughter's photos to the large agencies..example Ford. Although while you will not pay for this, and you can just submit photos you take yourself, it is a big time commitment if they offer your child a contract. There is a small internet site fee actually per year, but that is it. You also need to live near a larger city as that is where most of the castings are done.

only do it if you can commit to being in la possibly every day for auditions. my daughter worked with colleen cler agency in la and really enjoyed them. i would look in to the bbb and such to see the agencies ratings.