Expert: Kitty Kavey - 7/8/2008

Question
I am trying to get my daughter into commercial modeling. How do I go about that? How do I get an agent? Are you supposed to pay an agent up front? We are in Houston. She is 5.

Answer
Generally, an aspiring commercial print model might need to get a modeling composite card made to submit to agents for their consideration.

However, at that age, it is likely that your daughter will not need to get professional photos taken, usually models/talent under around age 12 can use snapshots to submit to agents, and even once they are represented for the agency to submit to clients.

There are modeling agency directories available in your local library, bookstore or online, and books written about child modeling that also may contain an agency list - although in the latter case it would be just of agents who have a children's division.

You would look for agents in your area, and make sure they represent models of your daughter's age.  Many agencies nowadays have a website that details submission instructions for new faces.  

Any legitimate agency will not ask money for classes, printing, photography services, website marketing, mailing services, or any other "conflict-of-interest" business.  An agency earns money by taking a percentage (usually 10-20%) off of the money a model or talent earns through them.

If they are making their money in another way, there is little motivation for them to actually find modeling or acting work for their models/talent, for which they may only earn $10 out of every hundred dollars paid to the talent.

Try the agents listed below too - one of them might be right for your daughter.  They are from the Screen Actors Guild list of franchised agencies, so not only have to comply with state/local laws and regulations, but also guild rules as well.

In Texas, agencies need to be licensed with the state, and should not be charging upfront fees, but rather taking a percentage off of the work they find for talent/models as mentioned above.  You can report any agencies you find to the state, and file a complaint against them if they are not in compliance with the law.

Good luck to you and your daughter,
~Kitty
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Neal Hamil Agency
 7887 SAN FELIPE, SUITE 227, HOUSTON, TX 77063
 713-789-1335
 Type: Models/Actors (Including age 5)
http://www.nealhamilmodels.com

Page.713
 1535 W. LOOP SOUTH, #110, HOUSTON, TX 77027
 713-807-8222
 Type: Models, Actors (Including age 5)
http://www.page713.com

Pastorini Bosby Talent Agency
 3013 FOUNTAIN VIEW DRIVE, SUITE 240, HOUSTON, TX 77057
 713-266-4488
 Type: May only represent actors at age 5 - you'll have to check for models of that age.
http://www.pbtalent.com/default.asp