Expert: Kitty Kavey - 5/14/2008

Question
My 13 year old daughter is very interested in this and has the dream big time, how do i help her get started and avoid scams she is my 5th child out of eight

Answer
Most likely you will need either an agency that specializes in children, or a commercial print modeling agency.  There are agency directories available in your local library, bookstore or online that can help locate the agencies closest to you.

One of the lists that I have found to be quite trustworthy, is the Screen Actors Guild list of agencies.  Many acting agents also have a commercial print division, and the SAG list is searchable by location in the US.  It's located on www.sag.org, under Member Services, Find an Agent.

Those agencies not only have to adhere to state laws and regulations, but also have to comply with the guild's rules as well, so they tend to be some of the most reputable.  You can use your favorite search engine to find the websites of agencies you are interested in.  

Most agencies nowadays have a website, and quite often the website will have information for new faces - agency criteria (what they look for: age, size, height, who they represent: children, adults, models, actors, etc.) and submission instructions.

You can also check with your state to see if they regulate talent agents, and if so, what the laws are there.  If they do regulate, you'll be able to check that an agency is licensed, and if there have been any complaints against them.  Occasionally the BBB is helpful too to check out a business.

There are a few books written on the subject of child modeling, or commercial print modeling, some of which also contain an agency list.  I'm not sure how they verify who gets on the list - but it would be agencies who specialize in a particular area (such as models/talent under age 18) so you might find that to be helpful too.

Good luck to you and your daughter,
~Kitty