Atlanta Baby Modeling Agency Q&A

Get insider information from top agents on how to help your baby, child or preteen break into the child modeling and child acting industry.

Atlanta's Young Faces Copyright © 2005 

How much will I need to invest in my child model’s career?

As with any new activity, there are certain fees involved. In modeling these fees are tangible such as photography and model cards. Good photography and promotional items are the key to obtaining bookings since the model card is the first view a client has of a model . Baby models only use snapshots because their look changes so quickly.

Do you accept every applicant?

Legitimate agencies accept ONLY child models with true potential for a particular market. Child models are selected according to personality, animation, availability, size and look. Of course, NO GUARANTEES go along with the modeling industry. Parents are better off to consider it "an activity" until the child actually begins to earn money. We accept about 20 % of the talent we interview.

Can I print my own Model Cards?

All agencies have a design format that makes the agency recognizable to their clients and that are competitive in the marketplace. Therefore model cards are trademarked and printed through the agency. 

Do you accept all of the children in the same family?

We frequently decline brothers or sisters because they may not have the same qualifications needed to be successful in the industry. As we work with a family, we sometimes will take another look at a sibling though.

Can my child be listed with another agency in the Atlanta area?

No. Clients tend to recognize child models and their agency affiliation and do not want to have to choose one agency over the other when booking a model. This is known as an "Exclusive Model". The better agencies require all of their models to have this arrangement. However, you may be listed with another agency in Georgia, outside the immediate Atlanta area or another state. 

Must I be available when my child is offered a booking?

Yes. Otherwise, you and the agents will be wasting each other's time. We do have child models that come hundreds of miles for booking frequently. They have a tremendous amount of family support. Of course we understand that parents cannot accept every modeling assignment, but declining more than a few is unacceptable.

Are there modeling assignments on weekends since I work full time?

Rarely, but we do have some. Recently, American Girl Magazine shot a catalog in Charleston, S.C. on a weekend. They will pay for hotels, meal, and travel as well as the model rate of pay. Also, Tommy Hilfiger recently had a weekend booking at Amelia Island which involved several of our child models. It is too rare to count this as normal though. Most bookings are 9-5 on weekdays, even in the school year. Be prepared for your child to miss school occasionally. If you have a Nanny or parent available, your child will have a better chance at getting bookings.

Do you get many bookings for infants?

Infants work sporadically because they change daily. We interview most infants so that we have a ready supply when the time comes to "book" a baby. We have "seasons" for infant bookings. Unfortunately, we cannot predict when that "season" will be. Normally it will be prior to holidays such as Christmas, Easter and March, which is typically Baby Sale month. Advertising agencies print catalogs several months ahead of these seasons. Kids II products is a client and likes a fresh supply of infants throughout the year. A baby only needs to be good natured to get constant work.

How much will my child make modeling?

That depends on an infinite number of factors such as; temperament, availability, age, size, looks, general personality and promotional materials (photos, snapshots, etc.) Remember, most clients will use only a photograph to determine who actually gets a "booking". Therefore your photos, whether professional or not MUST be recent and good quality. Some child models make a few hundred dollars a year while others make many thousands. We can not predict any number of bookings.

What is the percentage taken by your agency from my child's earnings?

We normally deduct 20% from all gross monies booked by the agency. Occasionally we deduct varying amounts according to the arrangement and fees paid by the client or advertiser. All models are quoted a rate and a fee at the time of the booking. After a model joins an agency, they become familiar with different rates for different jobs.

My child is missing front teeth. Can she/he still model?

It is best to begin a modeling career WITH teeth. Then when this natural process occurs, clients already know that your child is a good model and may continue to book them. If the child has no experience it is more difficult but not impossible to get a client interested.

How much notice will I receive prior to my child's modeling assignment?

Sometimes a week and sometimes only a day or so. Therefore we keep several models of similar looks and age in every division so that a client’s needs can always be met. Infants occasionally are booked only an hour or two ahead.

Atlanta's Young Faces Copyright © 2005