Child modelling is a very popular profession and many parents want to know how to get their child into it. It can be a fun and lucrative hobby as well as a confidence builder in children. Read on to discover how to help your child become a child model.
What is a Child Model?
A child model is a young person who models for different brands including clothing, toys, holidays and more. Just like a regular model, a child model will usually have an agency (in the UK this agency will usually be based in a main city like London or Manchester).
Brands like Disney, John Lewis, Sainsburys, Asda, and Next are always on the lookout for new catalogue models. Premium brands also use children to model their childwear.
Child models must attend different casting calls and interviews in order to gain work.
They must also have a portfolio to show potential employees their potential and experience in modelling.
How Much Do Child Models Earn?
The amount of money that a child model earns differs depending on who they are working for, their experience, their fame and how in-demand they are. A single job can pay anything from a couple of hundred pounds way up to thousands for larger campaigns with big brands.
Experienced child models can earn up to 6-figures for TV commercials, and around £1200 a day for editorial work.
What are the Requirements for a Child Model?
Child models do not have to be a specific height or size. Their measurements will determine what age group they are modelling for.
Children are also not required to have perfect teeth; on the contrary, kids are generally favoured when they have any sort of quirk that is considered cute.
Child models must have bright eyes, nice smiles and be confident around strangers. While not imperative, it’s a good idea to keep your child well-protected during playtime to avoid bruises and cuts to the skin which may be visible in photos.
Child Modelling Restrictions
Children under the age of 18 will need an adult present at all interviews and jobs. This is a legal requirement.
Modelling can also require a lot of travelling. Parents of child models must be ready to transport their child to any interviews and jobs. These may take place across the country and may even occur abroad.
Children may have to take time off school in order to do modelling. You will need an excellent relationship with the child’s school to allow this. The child must also be ok with doing lots of homework and school work outside of school hours to catch up with whatever they miss.
A professional photo shoot can be an exciting but often intimidating experience even for adults. Your child must be comfortable in this sort of situation to succeed in modelling.
Can My Child Model With No Experience?
Everyone has to start somewhere! Child models do not have to have any experience, though any experience they do have may help them land jobs.
You child will need a portfolio, however. A modelling portfolio is a folder of photos that a model takes with them to interviews and jobs. It can contain up to 20 photos and these should include close-up face shots as well as full-length body images. The portfolio should attempt to show the model’s modelling abilities in the best way possible. It is a good idea to include shots with the model smiling and laughing as well as more serious poses.
Who Are the Highest-Paid Child Models?
– Ekaterina Samsonov. Now 17, Ekat was a huge model at only 11 years old and earned over $50,000 in one year as a child model.
– Lily Chee is said to have earned up to $22k in one year at age 11. She has worked with Nike, Levi’s, Kohls, Uniqlo and Ralph Lauren.
– Hudson Kroenig. Hudson is now 12, but at 6 years old he had walked for Chanel and worked for Fendi and Dolce & Gabbana. He is the son of Chanel model Brad Kroenig.
– Julian O’Neill is now 13 bu at the age of 7 years old he was earning around $12,500 a year. He has worked for Hanna Andersson, Roberto Cavalli Kids, Vogue Bambini and Toys R Us.
How Do I Find My Child a Modelling Agency?
It is highly rare for a model to be scouted, so parents who are looking to involve their children in modelling should focus on applying to relevant child modelling agencies.
Parents should do plenty of research into the best modelling agencies around. All this research can be done online. You can apply to as many agencies as you want, as many time as you want, but don’t send the same agency multiple applications too close together as they will find this annoying.
You need a great modelling portfolio to help your child stand out from the competition. A modelling portfolio contains up to 20 photos showing off your child’s modelling experience.
If you don’t have any experience yet, it’s a good idea to book a professional photoshoot. Not only will this give you the chance to get excellent photos for your child’s professional portfolio, but it will also allow you to decide whether or not your child is right for a career in modelling.
A legitimate agency is free to join. There will be no upfront fees or other later expenses.
How Do I Know if a Career in Modelling is Right for my Child?
Find out your child’s suitability to the modelling industry by deciding whether they will enjoy it. A child who enjoys modelling will enjoy attending photo shoots. Those who hate it will obviously have a rubbish time and this will show in the images. There is no point trying to force your child into modelling if they don’t want to do it. While the parent is the child’s manager, it is ultimately up to the child to decide whether or not they want to pursue this hobby/career.
Other points to consider:
– Is your child confident? This personality trait is a must for a career in modelling. They must be comfortable around strangers as they will regularly be working with lots of people they don’t know.
– Does your child become easily overwhelmed? A photo shoot can be an intimidating place and children must adapt quickly to these new surroundings.
– Does your child listen to instructions? It’s important that a model can follow directions well.
– Do they play well with others? Your child may be expected to work with other children on some shoots so they need to be able to get on with other kids.
– How does your child perform in front of the camera? Do they strike a pose and smile, or shy away? A child must enjoy having their photo taken.
– Does your child have patience? There can often be a lot of waiting around at photo shoots. They may also be required to sit still while the creative team (makeup artists and hair stylists) work on your child.
– Would your child be proud to see themself on billboards, or mortified? A young model should feel proud and happy of their work – not scared or embarrassed.
How to Keep Your Child Safe Online
If a parent is approached via social media by someone claiming to work for a modelling agency, research should be done to verify the authenticity of the person. Unfortunately there are many scams around and it’s vital you protect your child. If your child is approached online and engaged in conversation, it is not likely to be legitimate as most agencies do not approach children.
Occasionally a brand may request a child to pass on their details to their parent but this is rare and research should still be done by the parent to ensure the offer is real. This will most likely be on Instagram. Use extreme caution if a message comes through on SnapChat and it is very unlikely to be real. Always report any concerning messages and make sure your child understands how to stay safe if they are online.
Never email or call a number that is given to you via a message. Always find the real website and contact them using the verified information posted there to confirm whether or not they have approached your child.
Remember that most social media platforms have an age limit, so your child should not have their own account on these sites if they are not old enough. Many parents manage an account related to their child. While this can be a good way to gain followers and attract the attention of brands, always remember that the internet is never 100% safe and the safety of your child should always come before anything else.
Thank you for the useful info! I wouldnt have discovered this by myself!
My daughter would be like to be model
I would really appreciate if u can help me to apply for my son to become a model
Hello I would appreciate it if you could please help my child be a model she is very pretty and confident around strangers