| | | | Is Your Child Model Material? |
By Charlotte Gerber
So, you think your child should be a model. It seems like a great idea but there are many pitfalls in this line of work both for the parent and the child. Before you enter your child in a photo contest or answer a cattle call, read on.
If you constantly receive comments from strangers about how beautiful your child is you may be toying with the idea of entering them in a beauty contest or seeking a modeling agent. There are a few things you should consider before doing this. First, is your child comfortable around strangers? If your child is shy and grabs you when a stranger tries to engage them in conversation, they are not ready for this line of work. Wait until your child expresses a desire to be in this kind of activity before you jump into it head first.
Second, consider your child’s body type. A modeling agent once told me that he continually sees children that have no chance of being a model because of their genetics. When you take your child in to see an agent they are looking for two things; good looks and the right body type. Children that are taller and slightly thinner than other children their age have a better chance of getting modeling jobs than those that are cute and cherubic looking. Remember, the same rules apply for child models that apply to adult models. If both parents height is less than 5’ 8”, odds are the child will be short too and this means they aren’t model material.
It is also important that parents considering modeling know that there are many unscrupulous people masquerading as agents. Check up on their claims and find out who are their success stories in the modeling industry. Another ploy to raid your pocket book is requiring you to purchase photos or head shots for your child. These can run into the hundreds of dollars. A real agent won’t ask you to pay for these. Do expect, however, to pay for a placement photo in their catalog. This shouldn’t run more than a hundred dollars, no matter how successful the agency is.
Rejection is the hardest thing to take whether your child is in a beauty pageant or seeking a modeling agent. Don’t take it personally and make sure that you praise your child no matter what happens, win or lose. Your child’s self esteem depends on your feelings, not a stranger’s evaluation. If your child is model material, great! You’ll have a lot of fun together learning about the industry from the ground up. On the other hand, don’t let a stranger’s judgment cloud yours. Every child is beautiful in their own way and you shouldn’t need a modeling agent to tell you that.
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