Pros and Cons of Child Modeling?

Question

So, we all have the most beautiful babies! But I really think I might. Pros and Cons of trying out modeling? I DO NOT want to raise the next Bonaduce here!

Also, if you think it's worth checking out, I live close to NYC. Any websites for good agencies in NYC would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Pros:

IF baby gets jobs, can get a little money for the college fund.

          Can be fun and interesting, if you can avoid getting caught up in the hype.

CONS: Easy to get caught up in the hype, with the result that baby/child loses his childhood.

If you want to give it a try, get professional photos taken and submit them to legitimate agencies.  If they are interested, they'll get back to you. (If an agency asks for money upfront [beyond some small sums for faxes, phone calls, etc.] they are NOT legitimate.  Bona fide agencies make money by taking commissions when they get jobs for their clients.

Answer 2

I was a model as a child and i hated it.

I would wait for your child t make their own mind up if they would want to participate in something like modeling.

Answer 3

I would wait until your chilren are old enough to decide for themselves. parents make desicions like this for their children all them time and some kids do really well in the busniess and some turn out like Kate Moss or Britney Spears. My neighbor's daughter was a child model and she hated it she's 17 now but when she was younger her parents (mainly mom) made her do it.

Answer 4

Mine's cuter :)

Answer 5

As long as you are sure that it's what the kids want... I'm not sure there are any cons.  If they are  babies they won't really know the difference will they?  They probably just get extra love and attention on a photo shoot and someday they have really great pictures to look at from when they were babies.  But once they are old enough to understand what's going on, make sure it's what they really really want.  Don't push them to go to anything, and be prepared to cancel any photo or commecial shoot if they act like the don't want to go.

Answer 6

I began modeling at five and still do a bit of modeling today, at sixteen, and while there are some awesome pros, there are too many cons for me to recommend it to anyone. Modeling is work.  It's not like being an accountant or working in a factory, but it nevertheless is work, and most children are not emotionally or physically ready to work. A child might be incredibly excited about a shoot, but then by the time she's gone through hair & makeup that could have fizzled. She might just want to take a nap, and is really not going to understand why she isn't being allowed to. Five year olds don't understand contractual obligations. You cannot just cancel a photo shoot because she's not feeling up to it. There are a lot of people working on each of those shoots, so parents sign contracts. It's not child's play. The only reason I got into is because I live in LA and on a weekly basis was being approached by an agent or scout, and after each one I would beg my parents to let me. To be honest, I wish now they'd just said no.

Pros:

*You MIGHT earn quite a bit and be able to establish a nice account.

* You are around adults all the time, and so you grow up faster. You learn to converse like an adult years before your peers, and you are more comfortable in their company.

* At times it is a lot of fun, and sometimes involves pretty sweet traveling.

Cons:

*At one point or another, in some form or another, every child model or actress is exploited. It could be a small scare like being promised a new toy in exchange for cooperation and then the toy is never given, or to the Lindsey Lohan level where the child is working to support the family. Most just do not realize they've been exploited until much later on. Have you noticed that former child stars often have problems as adults? Do you want to know where their wrath is usually directed? Their parents for pushing them into it. This isn't an opinion, it's a fact. In interviews with Kirstin Dunst she's talked about the resentment she feels towards her mom. She said that childhood is complicated & hard enough already without having fame pushed upon you, and she's incredibly resentful.

* The reason kids are so charming is because they are  natural. They act on instinct & intuition. Acting & modeling makes you far too self-aware to be natural.

* Acting and modeling is like professional role playing at a time when you are just trying to figure out your own part in life.

It's just bizarre for a nine year old to wonder if she's acting on her own emotions or that of her characters.

* You grow up too early. It's awesome in one sense, but....it's kind of sad in another.



If you do it, 1) it should be something your children decide they want to do. They should be bugging you to do it, not the other way around. 2) make sure the agency is reputable. There are so many agencies that totally exploit families who want their kids to be a star. A reputable agency will never make you pay anything. There are no fees, and they pay for the acting classes, not you. If you are asked for money, turn on your heel. 3) Never let it interfere with school. I only ever worked during the summer when I was little. 4) do not let it define their lives. School, ballet, soccer, Brownies, and all that should be equally important. 5) build up their esteem on their intelligence and their behavior, NOT their looks.

I wouldn't recommend that anyone get into this until they are at least 10. My little sisters are 6 & 8 and agents approach my parents about them, too, and this time my parents are sticking to their guns and saying no. I would never let them model or act.

Wilhelmina, Ford & Elite all have children's divisions and are reputable agencies.

Take care. : )

Btw, who is a Bonaduce?