While much of the info listed below is going to be the same as the previous blog post I did about how to Choose the Right Modeling Agency for You, there are a few differences and additional things I want to point out to parents specifically, which is why I decided to do a post on this subject by itself instead of lumping it together with the other one.
And if I didn't include something on here that is on the other post, it's not because it doesn't apply--it's mostly because I didn't want this post to be longer than it already is, haha.
So let's jump into it!
MAKE SURE THE AGENCY REPRESENTS KIDS
Not all agencies are created equal so it's important to check the website to first determine whether an agency even works with kids.
For the ones that do, make your way to the part of the site that talks about how to submit your child for representation. Some agency sites have a "Submission" or "Join Us" page or may house this content on the Contact page, About Us section or mention guidelines/methods for submission on the FAQ page. Take some time to navigate the site overall and it should be relatively easy to locate this info.
Don't forget to take note of the age ranges represented. If your child is closer to the maximum age listed, still submit. It will be the agency's call whether or not that will make a difference. Never just assume your child doesn't meet the requirement and skip out.
MODELING AGENCY OR TALENT AGENCY?
The great thing about child models is that they're super marketable. Does your child want to act as well as model? Then you should be seeking the services of a Talent Agency and not a Modeling Agency.
Signing with a Talent Agency will kill two birds with one stone because these types of agencies represent both models and actors. That means one contract, one set of commission and one agency to work with instead of two.
Don't get sidetracked by the agency names, btw. Sometimes agencies don't use the word "Talent" in their names but do represent both actors and models. When doing online research for local agencies, check them all out and chances are you'll find that the ones that look like they only work with models may actually be talent agencies with other divisions.
Be thorough and leave no stone unturned when putting together a list of agencies to submit your child to.
LOOK AT THE ROSTER
Many agency websites that represent kids have photo galleries where you can view the current talent on the roster. It doesn't hurt to take a few moments to check out what ages and looks made the cut.
Do you see a lot of kids with a similar "look" as your child or not as many, if at all? These are things to take note of when you submit your child's photos and info and especially if you get invited to an interview with the agency.
Other agencies keep their child talent photos private and only allow them to be viewed by permission or request. This doesn't mean there's something fishy or that the agencies that make child models' photos public are suspicious. It's up to each agency which approach they'll choose.
LOCATION IS KEY
Similar to grown up models, parents of child models will want to consider starting local with agencies instead of jumping the gun and applying to places out-of-state or that are over 2 hours away by car.
Remember: attending castings, go-sees and auditions when being represented are not paid so should your child get signed, the day-to-day routine of getting them to and from will eventually take a toll on your wallet. Staying local keeps these expenses to a minimum.
Even if you believe in your child enough to hop on a plane and go to where the opportunities are, unless the opportunity is an actual paid booking they've received through their agency, any costs related to airfare, lodging and transportation will be your responsibility as well.
Starting off with a local agency will still get your child into the industry and as their career progresses, you can then opt to either move on to a larger agency or consider relocating to a new market if things really seem to be taking off and you feel it is in your child's best interest.
KEEP IT IN PERSPECTIVE WITH PHOTOS
One of the easiest ways to know if an agency is reputable or not is when it comes to their submissions for child models.
I say this because of the many hundreds of agency websites I've reviewed over the years, the ones dealing with kid models always drive home the fact that non professional digital snapshots are preferred for submission because not only does it give them an accurate representation of what your child currently looks like, kids grow up. Fast. And that means they only have a certain window of time where they'll match whatever photos are taken of them.
When you're submitting to agencies directly, stick with non professional digital snapshots unless an agency specifically requests professional images. Sometimes this happens when agencies prefer to only work with established and experienced models. However, I mainly see this with adult models and not so much with kids but that's not to say it doesn't happen. Just a small mental note to keep in mind.
Have you already taken the initiative and gotten professional images for your child to submit? Then by all means, use them. Agencies are more than happy to check them out but it also helps to have digital snapshots as well. For parents who have never gotten professional photos of their child done, stick to the digital snapshots for now and once a contract is on the table, it will be the agency's job to guide you through the process of setting up those professional test shoots.
Now when it comes to interviewing with the agency in person, that's a slightly different conversation when it comes to what kind of photos to use moving forward. Once your child is signed, they WILL need professional headshots and other images to create their portfolio. Which leads to the next important point...
DON'T PAY UPFRONT FEES & NO HARD SALES TACTICS
If a contract isn't being offered to you first, there is no reason why an agency should be asking you to pay upfront fees for services like training, portfolio creation, comp card printing, etc. Additionally, it is not appropriate for an agency to pressure you to sign a contract right then and there without allowing you to take it home to look over for a few days.
Anytime an agency makes it seem like they'll snatch the opportunity away if you don't get on board on the spot, take it as a red flag and politely decline. If they're asking for personal financial information like a credit card, definitely get up, walk away and don't look back.
SUGGESTED PHOTOGRAPHERS VS. USING YOUR OWN
Your child has just gotten signed to an agency and you couldn't be happier. Now it's time to create those marketing materials that will allow the agency to do their job: headshots, comp/zed cards, portfolio, etc.
Many agencies will offer a list of recommended photographers to work with. This is common practice because they've undoubtedly worked with a fair share of photographers and want to know they can trust the quality of the images they receive.
However, the agency should not force you to use their photographers. The ideal situation would be to get this list with the understanding that the use of their recommended photographers is optional and that you are free to select anyone you want, as long as the quality of the work is up to their standards.
If you've got a photographer you want your child to work with that isn't on the agency's list, don't be surprised if the agency wants you to provide a link to that person's portfolio. Again, they want to make sure the quality is what they want so it's only fair that you show them your choice is a good one. If they agree, then you're golden. Should they not agree and tell you to find someone else, don't get discouraged, especially if you've got other options of your own to consider.
At the end of the day, it should be your choice whether or not you go with your own photographer or select one of theirs--not a decision you feel pressured into making if you don't want to or can't afford. A legitimate agency will work with you, not against you.
DON'T IGNORE YOUR GUT
When attending open calls and interviews pay attention to the atmosphere in the agency offices. Are the phones ringing, do the bookers appear to be busy and interacting with clients and models? How are the staff treating you? Do they seem genuinely engaged with you in conversation or are they a bit snooty and act like you're in the way?
Don't ignore your gut. But that doesn't mean you should over analyze and scrutinize every little thing. Make mental notes of how you are treated, if there are any awkward moments or if you felt completely at home the entire time. Think about the conversation you had with the agency staff and how they handled any questions or concerns you raised.
Remember: the modeling agency you end up signing with will be people you'll be interacting with for the duration of your contract so you want to make sure you're picking an agency that you look forward to working with. Even if an agency is the biggest and the best, if you feel uncomfortable or get a bad feeling that something's not right, it's likely a sign that it's not a good fit.
Most importantly: how did they interact with your child? Make sure to ask your son/daughter afterwards how they felt about the experience and take their feelings into consideration when making a decision who to move forward with for representation.
LOOK AT THE CONTRACT
Getting a contract offer is the goal but don't sign on the dotted line if you don't know what you're getting yourself into. Legitimate agencies allow you to take the contract home to review and will give a deadline for when to provide them with a signed copy if you're on board.
If your goal is to sign with more than one agency, don't sign an exclusive contract and vice-versa. Find out how long the contract is going to last. Not sure if you want to commit long-term to an agency? Then you'll likely be more comfortable signing a 1-2 year contract and not a 3-5 year one.
Understand how to get out of the contract if you want to terminate the working relationship early for whatever reason. Knowing where the "Exit Clause" is in the paperwork and what steps you need to follow to exercise that right will be important to identify before signing.
How much commission is the agency charging? 10-15%? 20-25%? These are things you need to know.
ASK QUESTIONS
Don't be afraid to ask questions and get clarification on anything you don't understand. It is the agency's job to educate and inform you about their contracts and methods of operation.
Make a list of questions ahead of time so you don't forget anything during the open call or interview you really want to ask. It's also a good idea to do your homework and check whether or not the agency's website has an FAQ page. Oftentimes that alone will answer most questions you probably already had in mind.
Find out how many models they have in your division and roughly how often they send models out on castings and go-sees. Ask what the agency's process is for setting up test shoots for building your portfolio and creating headshots and comp cards. Learn about any slow seasons during the year you should expect or if there are any ages or "looks" for child models that tend to be more popular than others.
These are all run-of-the-mill questions agencies are accustomed to addressing so there should be no reason why they should give you a hard time, get defensive or otherwise not provide you with answers. The way an agency interacts with you in the beginning is a great way to get an idea of what moving forward with them would look like once you accept the contract offer.
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