Child Models

[Redguard]

Do any of you have children that model for local store flyers, magazines, or maybe even commercials?

For those of you who've thought about it, do you think it's a good idea? Bad idea?

 

[andiesmama]

I've had people (defined as a neighbor and friends of my parents) tell me I should get Andie into modeling, but I've resisted...

I don't like the whole baby/toddler modeling pagents, I hate seeing them dressed to the nines (dresses more expensive than any I own for myself, I'm sure!), wearing makeup...

But I wouldn't have a problem with sending in Andie's picture to a parenting magazine, you know they always have contests for "cover kids" or whatever. I keep meaning to, but I'm just lazy!

If she wants to get into pagents when she's older, that'll be her decision. She'll have our family's core values & faith behind her, so I'll trust in whatever she decides.

 

[Redguard]

We've had similar comments/offers.

But what really peaks my curiosity is when I look through the Walmart flyers.

Ever notice that all the models in those flyers are related to the employees?

My sister works at Walmart, so I'm almost tempted to ask her how to go about getting a pic submitted. It's not my wish for her to become a Hollywood star. But the money generated would go well towards saving for university!

 

[lucypevensie]

My kids don't do this, but I'm not necessarily opposed to it. I guess it would depend on the store. Kohl's or Target or whatever would be fine, but not Abercrombie. And it would have to be something they enjoy.

 

[andiesmama]

We've had similar comments/offers.

But what really peaks my curiosity is when I look through the Walmart flyers.

Ever notice that all the models in those flyers are related to the employees?

My sister works at Walmart, so I'm almost tempted to ask her how to go about getting a pic submitted. It's not my wish for her to become a Hollywood star. But the money generated would go well towards saving for university!

I never noticed that....you should go for it! I mean, all the perks would be worth it...and I hear you about saving money for their education!:o

 

[Leanna]

Be very very careful. One time we got a flyer about going to this open call for child/baby models, and so out of curiosity I went with David. They just looked him over and made him smile, the end, and we were out of there in 15 minutes. A couple days later I got something in the mail saying we made the cut and we should return on such and such a date for a Parent meeting..... I thought that was cool, so I looked up the company online and come to find that EVERYONE makes the cut with this company and at the Parent meeting they ask you for money for a child's portfolio. A child does not need a portfolio, its a SCAM.... I never went obviously.... but I felt SOOOO horrible for the parents that were going to fall for it that had I more time in my life I would have printed the info off of the internet and shown up at the Parent Meeting and distributed it...... its so terrible that people do stuff, and even more terrible that people fall for it.... be careful, thats all I have to say. It seems everyone has a cute kid. I know people have been fawning over David since birth some claiming he's the cutest baby they've ever seen.... lol.... he is of course, but thats because I am his mother...

 

[wanderingone]

Did it, hated it, would NEVER do it again and can't even imagine how anyone who has done it a few times continues. We did an open call for a new agency when my oldest was about a year old. A couple print ads, a commercial, several text books illustrations later and we quit.

The atmosphere was horrible, the kids and parents were just horribly behaved ALL the time, the agencies expected you to drop everything (school, work etc...) at the ring of the phone and magically appear sometimes with VERY short notice. They talk about your kids appearance in front of them, and not politely. The agency gives you ethically questionable advice... like put tape on the bottom of shoes you buy for a shoot so you can take them back to the store, and tuck tags in to clothing purchased so you can return it. (when you do an ad for something other than clothing you usually supply your own clothing, you need several outfits for the photographers and directors to pick from) They hated that my daughter was "mixed" telling me "Oh mixed babies don't get work because they need kids who look specific ethnicities." We got called constantly because they could (in the words of one photographer) "pass her off as______" fill in the blank with whatever tan skinned ethnicity you can think of.

I guess if it's fun for you and your kids go for it, I found the whole atmosphere deplorable, but it's not worse than children's beauty pageants.

 

[CarrieAg93]

I have a friend who has done some local stuff with her son. She takes a very laid back approach to it. If he doesn't want to go to an audition she doesn't make him and he doesn't miss school, church, etc. to do it. She doesn't expect to rich off it. She just puts whatever he makes into a college fund for him. I think, like anything, people can take it to the extreme and it's easy to get scammed.

 

[Redguard]

They hated that my daughter was "mixed" telling me "Oh mixed babies don't get work because they need kids who look specific ethnicities."

Which mixture does your child have? (if you don't mind sharing)

 

[country woman]

I have a friend of mine whose step daughter is a model/ actress

 

[Linnis]

I did Sears flyers when I was younger. My dad made sure it was clear I would wear as little make-up as possible and I'd look like what a little girl should look like.

It was fun, when it stopped being fun I quit and took swimming lessions instead.

 

[wanderingone]

Which mixture does your child have? (if you don't mind sharing)

Human and Human

1st daughter's (born when I was 17) dad is from Jamaica- my husband (and dad of daughter #2) is "black" American I'm a New York WASP

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

Like everyone else here, and probably every other parent on the planet , we've repeatedly had comments about how our daughter is the cutest that they've ever seen and that she could be a model. We never pursued it cos we figured she'd have to go up against the locals so she'd never win. Where we live is 98% Hispanic so the white kid would just never win LOL I still might would consider modeling if it was for a magazine where they're just going to take pictures of Katheryn wearing clothes or playing with toys so where the emphasis isn't really on beauty. I don't think I would consider beauty pageants as I feel that they are more centered on the beauty aspect of things and I can't stand to see little girls with make up on and clothes that no child has business wearing and since I would never let my daughter get dressed up like that she'd never stand a chance of winning. Anyway, I really don't need a judge to tell me my daughter is the most beautiful - I already know that .

Sorry, can't resist sharing a couple pics of my little "beauty" .

 

[Redguard]

Human and Human

1st daughter's (born when I was 17) dad is from Jamaica- my husband (and dad of daughter #2) is "black" American I'm a New York WASP

You're an insect? Cool... but don't sting me.

 

[Leanna]

John 316, I love the composition of that second photo.... very nice lighting and angle and I love the corn stalks involved. Do you live in Illinois??

 

[Redguard]

John 316, I love the composition of that second photo.... very nice lighting and angle and I love the corn stalks involved. Do you live in Illinois??

Awww... look at you using all that nifty photography lingo.

I can do it too!.. I just don't wanna.

 

[we2bless2bstress]

I think it's just like sports, band, boyscouts, girlscouts etc.. It must be done in moderation. As a parent you take into consideration what is healthy versus unhealthy for your child. If an environment appears to be unsafe or not conducive to your childs wellbeing, remove them from it. The same negatives that you find in the modeling/acting industry can be found all over this world. For the most part we know our children and can better assess how they could benefit or be hindered by the modeling/acting experience. I think it's an awesome opportunity on one hand, and on the other it can be detrimental. It's all in what you allow that child make out of it.

Thanks for listening,
we2bless2bstress

 

[wanderingone]

You're an insect? Cool... but don't sting me.

(w)hite (a)nglo (s)axon (p)rotestant for those not familiar with the acronym

 

[we2bless2bstress]

HI,
I am thinking of relocating, and Canada was one of my choices. Does anyone have any information about Canada and how I could make the transition. What kind of churches do they have out there? Do any of the churches meet and greet newcomers coming form other countries? Write back if anyone has any info.

THANX

 

[~Mrs. A2J~]

John 316, I love the composition of that second photo.... very nice lighting and angle and I love the corn stalks involved. Do you live in Illinois??

Thanks for the compliment! I really like that photo too We live in deep south Texas and those are actually grain stalks. I think with my daughter in the foreground the stalks may look bigger than they actually are so it kinda makes them look like corn stalks instead .