Expert: Kitty Kavey - 7/5/2007

Question
QUESTION: Kitty - a talent agency has asked us to sign on for the services of my 8-year old daughter.  They showed us comp card examples - one ordinary looking and one very professional looking.  Now, they suggest using their hand-picked photographer..and that they have arranged a discount from $1000+ down to $750.  Does this smell right to you?  Thanks, Rob

ANSWER: No!  That sounds very very bad to me.  If it's one of the agencies on the Screen Actors Guild list of agencies you can complain.  If it isn't, I wouldn't trust them.  Go here to check: www.SAG.org, under Resources, Agent Information, Find A SAG Franchised Agent.  
The list is searchable by location in the US, and those marked FS (full-service) are those who also represent commercial print models - although when looking for a good agency for your daughter, you will still need to contact the agents to see if they represent talent of your daughter's age.  Many have websites, and the phone numbers are on the SAG list.  I would also check the laws/licensing in your state to see what requirements there are for model/talent agencies.  Florida and California have laws that prevent a legitimate licensed talent agency from hiring their own photographers or requiring you to purchase services such as printing, classes, etc from them, so there are additional places you can file a complaint such as the BBB or the Sate Department of Business & Professional Regulation.
Good luck to you,
~Kitty

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

QUESTION: Thank you.  Let me clarify a little... the agency is only suggesting that we use their referral (photographer) because he will "capture exactly what they are looking for."  They say he is the head photographer for Family Fun (Disney) magazine and that Family Fun Mag is a likely target for my daughter to do some picture modeling.  If you still don't think this is legit, can you tell me what to expect from a reputable agency...do we have to have a comp card and what should it cost?  Thanks, Rob

Answer
Quite often, talent of your daughter's age can be submitted to prospective clients with only a headshot.  The younger children are, the faster their "look" changes so every six months you'd need to redo everything.  It's not standard, but generally those under age 12 do not need to have the same materials as adults.  You can contact the magazine you mention, and the head photographer to ask his opinion.  If he is willing to answer an e-mail or take a quick phone call, I'm sure you can get the details straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak.  He can also give you his opinion on the particular agency you are dealing with now, and possibly refer you to other agencies he works with as well.
Since agencies in some states are only supposed to have a list or board of advertisements from area photographers - the pricing on getting modeling and/or acting photography done can vary widely.  There is TFP, (time-for-prints) where a photographer is learning a new skill, testing new equipment or a new makeup artist, etc., and does not want to pay a model/talent to do so.  In exchange, the model or talent receives photographs from the session for free.  Students at photography schools also do that as well.  Then there are market rates depending on the level/skills of the photographer, and market rates.  Of course hiring a photographer in Tulsa will probably be less than hiring a top photographer in LA or NYC.  
You can call around the list of agencies in your area, and ask them what their requirements are for new (8-year-old) faces.  If you must have a comp card, again, look around your area for available options.  Many times you can use the list of photographers in an agency, and ask them if they have a list of recommended photographers even if they do not represent your daughter.
Good luck to you,
~Kitty