Expert: Kitty Kavey - 8/8/2007

Question
QUESTION: What all is involved in child modeling/advertising? I am suppose to meet with an agent today for my 5 year old and he said packages start at $150. Would this be a port folio? I thought they were suppose to pay her, not us pay them? Is this how they all start out? Its all new to me. Also, she starts kindergarten in three weeks, is this a bad time to start a child in modeling? I don't want to take away from school when shes just starting. Thank you.

ANSWER: That doesn't sound like an agent, maybe a manager or marketing company.  You are correct, an agent is only supposed to earn money by taking a percentage off of the money the model/talent earns through them.  Children under the age of 12, particularly younger children and babies generally use snapshots rather than professional photos as their look changes every few months.  Fashion models use portfolios, commercial print models generally do not - but rather use modeling composite cards.  And again, certainly for agency consideration, children generally use only a couple of snapshots.  You can ask the agencies that you meet with if auditions and jobs were available outside of school hours or on weekends, it would be preferable for you.  Usually, agents can accommodate you, and if there is a really big job or audition, you can decide if you want your daughter to attend if it's during school hours.
There are a bunch of books written about child modeling, available in your local library, bookstore or online, some of which also contain an agency directory.  Since your daughter is so young, looking for an agency that specializes in children or has a good children's division would be a good idea.  
Good luck to you both,
~Kitty

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

QUESTION: So is a marketing company only suppose to make money after the child earns money through them also? Or does it depend on the company? The guy told me that the $150. on up would pay for him to send in snapshots that I provide, to a printing company to make brochures out of them. Does this sound like normal procedure for a company to ask for? Or should I still be concerned about asking for the up front money? Thank you.

Answer
A marketing company makes their money off of you purchasing marketing materials - photos, copies, composite cards, business cards, brochures, magazine ads, website placement, whatever they think will market the talent.  There are few laws that regulate that, and they can charge as much or as little as they like, and are not required to provide proof that any of their efforts have resulted in success for the talent.  In some states, like California, only an agent or attorney can legally negotiate a talent/model contract, so even a model/talent manager cannot legally do so in order to obtain work for their clients.
As to the brochures you mention; They are not required nor necessary for your child to obtain representation by a licensed, legitimate talent agency.  The majority of talent agencies who represent children will ask for a snapshot for consideration.  I personally have never heard of an agency either requesting a brochure from a model.  Why not just send in the snapshots you provide to agencies in your area?  It's probably less costly to make a few copies of your own photos, and mail them out with a cover letter, than the $150.  I'm sure model/talent marketing companies serve a purpose in some cases, but I feel that a lot of them are a waste of time and money.
Good luck to you,
~Kitty