Expert: Kitty Kavey - 1/15/2009

Question
I would like to see if I can have a chance for my 2 year old daughter to try modeling or acting, she has a wonderful personality and everyone says she should be on TV.  i live in NY and am not aware of any agencies or how to start this process.  Any advice would be helpful.  Thank you

Answer
If by NY you mean that you are in or close to NYC, then you are in luck.  There are many agencies in the city.

You have several options for modeling and talent agency directories.  There is the Ross Reports, published monthly and available on newsstands, bookstores and online. (http://www.rossreports.com)

There are also other print directories of both talent and modeling agencies available in your local library, bookstore or online.  Since your daughter is so young, you may want to pick up one of the books written about child modeling and/or acting - as some of them also contain a model or talent agency directory, but in this case it would be to agencies that either specialize in children, or have a children's division.

Again because of your daughter's age, she may be able to begin without professional materials, instead using only a couple of snapshots both to submit to agencies for their consideration, as well as once she is represented she may also be able to use snapshots.

Each agency's policy may be different, so I suggest making a list of the agencies you are interested in, what their criteria is/what they'll need to see from your daughter, and then submitting to the agencies you think may be the best fit for her.

Good luck to you both,
~Kitty