Expert: Kitty Kavey - 7/14/2010

Question
Hello Kitty,

Can you please assist me in finding reputable modeling agents to represent my 10 month old son. He is very manageable, definitely marketable and totally has "the look". We live in South Carolina. So, how can my baby get into print modeling and commercials safely and legitimately? Do you have any prestigious contacts? Thank you.


-proud Mom

Answer
If you're close enough to a larger market to commute, perhaps Nashville or Atlanta areas, then you will have both agents and work opportunities to choose from.  South Carolina doesn't have much of a market for either modeling or acting for any age talent.

If you can make arrangements to have access to a larger market, then I suggest using the Screen Actor's Guild list of franchised agents:
http://www.sag.org/content/find-agent
to locate agencies closest to your current state.  You'll want to look for an agency that lists as being 'full service' and 'all ages' - although you can use your favorite search engine to check for websites of any agency - as full service usually means they represent models as well as actors, and all ages means they represent children as well as adults.

You will still need to contact or review the website of any agencies that fit that criteria as your son may be under the minimum age even for agencies who do rep children.  Usually an agency's website details what type of models and/or talent they represent, and provides instructions for new faces/talent.

If you think this will grow into a career for your son, you can consider moving to one of the markets that can support more full-time work, such as New York City or Los Angeles.  There's also a good children's agency in Miami: World of Kids Inc. www.worldofkidsagency.com, but of course if you can't easily make auditions/go-sees and jobs, or it costs you more to get your son to Miami than the job pays, that won't work for you just now.  But certainly a move is something to consider for the future, should you decide that would fit your family's goals.

The agencies on the Screen Actor's Guild list are reputable, and follow state/local laws as well as guild rules (for their acting division).  Modeling divisions in those agencies are some of the best for commercial print modeling.  I hope you live close enough to one of the areas that has work for your son, and that you find just the right agency for him.

Good luck to you both,
~Kitty