Expert: Kitty Kavey - 11/11/2008

Question
QUESTION: I sent photos off to 3 modelling agencies she was accepted but they ask for an upfront admin fee i know that you don't have to pay to start modelling so i was just wondering if you could give me any advice on getting her into the REAL world of modelling instead of having to pay out money to get no where.......

ANSWER: It depends on where you are.  For the US, you can use the Screen Actors Guild Agency list (www.sag.org, under Member Services, Find An Agent, and then choose the franchised list of agencies in the area closest to you.)  

Many of the agencies listed on the SAG website will say they are full service, and may also have websites that will tell you if they have a modeling agency division as well.  Use your favorite search engine to locate any available websites, as they usually also have agency criteria as well as instructions for new faces.

Alternatively, you can also use one of the child modeling books if your daughter is 12 or under, as many of those contain an agency list of agencies known to have a child modeling division.

There are also other modeling agency directories available in your local library or bookstore, online and on newsstands in NYC and LA.  Personally, I prefer the SAG agency list.  Not only do those agencies need to comply with state/local rules and regulations, but they also need to follow guild rules as well, so they tend to be some of the better agencies.

If you are in the US, and your state does not regulate modeling or talent agencies, it will be a little more difficult to figure out who you can trust, and who is just out to take your money.  It can be a challenge if there are no laws that govern your area.  If possible, perhaps you and your daughter would be able to travel to a better market, such as Los Angeles, Florida/Miami, New York City, or even Texas/Dallas or Chicago.

If your daughter is older, she may also need to use a modeling composite card, which you will be expected to pay for.  Younger kids, and certainly babies/toddlers usually work just from a snapshot, and don't need a comp card.

So even with a legit agency, and depending on your daughter's age, you may have to supply the agency with that, although you should never have to pay any sort of administration fee.

Good luck to you both,
~Kitty

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks,I live in Birmingham UK my daughter is 5 yrs old which option do you recommend i found most of the 1's i have gone for through google search engine Can i ask should you pay an upfront fee to start modelling?Modelsdirect have accepted her but want £128 for 3 yrs....

Answer
If you know of any other models of your daughter's age, ask the parents for a referral to their agent.  You can also check with one of the consumer organizations such as http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk to see if there are complaints against a particular company.

I have read stories about Modelsdirect.com, none of them good.  Here's a website that may provide you with a more targeted list of agencies in your area, and info about modeling in the UK: http://www.albamodel.info/

They have lists of agencies, including agencies that represent children: http://www.albamodel.info/alist.php#kids

You can use Google to find the websites for agencies on that list, and then see which you may want to submit your daughter's information to.

I looked up the first on the list: http://www.bizzykidz.com/
Some of the info there states: "Unlike most other children's modelling agencies, we do NOT recommend that your child has a portfolio and do not charge yearly fees."  

However, they do charge what looks like the following fees:
Bizzykidz earn 20% commission on a child’s earnings that are secured through the agency.

We do charge a fee if a parent wishes to be interviewed prior to acceptance. The agency need to allocate a member of its staff to this duty and we therefore cannot do this free of charge, especially as we decline many applicants and on a daily basis. We therefore do offer this service, if requested, with a charge of £25 being applicable. At your appointment you will be shown evidence of work, be able to view our offices, meet the staff members and we will take a photograph in support of your application. Your child will then be assessed by our Intakes Dept, who will write to you within 7 days from your appointment with a result.

There is no fee charged for any child to appear in our Look Book, it is however, a professional book, so can only include professionally taken photographs of the children.

Bizzykidz are not a photographic company, but due to popular demand, we have made arrangements with a local studio who arrange sittings for those registered with the agency at half their normal rate. This is not compulsory, however, you have one of four options available to you
1) Supply your own professional photographs to the agency (please note there is an £18 production fee if using your own photographs from another studio, as our production department will need to edit them to make them suitable and the same as the other photo's in the book)
2) Attend the next available sitting with our recommended studio (for which you will be sent an invitation to just after joining)
3) Choose to not go in the Look Book at all and only be viewed in our on-line directory.

Our staff always attend the shoot, where we meet the children/parents and carry out our detailed assessments. The fee (currently £65) is payable to the studio on the day and Bizzykidz staff always attend to answer any queries and to meet the children.

An agency not charging upfront fees is relevant to adult agencies and not to child agencies. A child agency needs to promote a child and advertise their models to its clients. Most, like Bizzykidz, will have an on-line directory, whilst all agencies need to create header sheets on demand for their clients and also provide model cards for their children. Bizzykidz would not charge for these services if they were done in-house, however, they are not, so we merely charge the parent the fee which we ourselves are charged. That fee is currently £120 for set up, then there will be no further payment to the agency up until the child reaches 17 years of age.
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So it looks like there are fees to be considered, but choose only after you have reviewed the agencies on that list, checked the consumer reporting places to see if there are complaints, and perhaps met with the agency, or been able to talk to other parents for a reference.

Good luck to you both,
~Kitty