Just a quick post to ask a question to as many people as I can.
I’ll post more later, but I’m curious to anyone with any knowledge on the subject.
If anyone knows anything about modeling, child modeling, agencies, etc., please let me know. I’m sure we will be judged for even considering such a thing, but I’ll explain more in another post.
Is it common to pay for headshots? Will a legitimate agency require this?
Has anyone heard of an agency called InterFACE Talent?
If anyone has any knowledge please email me (hollykr1976 at yahoo dot com)
Ky said,
July 21, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Hey Holly…I have a friend whose child has been modeling since she was an infant (now she is 3). I also looked at it for my own children but decided against it for my own reasons. Yes, it’s common to pay for your own headshots. No I haven’t heard of InterFACE talent. I do know that it is pretty time consuming – she will spend the majority of a day waiting for simple catalog shoots – but her daughter has adapted well to it. My kids wouldn’t tolerate it – they don’t smile on command, the smile when the damn well want to – LOL. Can’t wait to hear the rest of the story!
audra said,
July 21, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Some do require that you pay for headshots and they usually are legit. You can kind of tell walking in whether it is a legit place or not. If it seems over priced, it usually is and you should walk away.
My old boss was a photographer and he took his daughter to many casting calls, etc. and as soon as he would bring out his own headshots of her, you could see the disappointed look in their eye- they really only wanted to sell him headshots.
But on the other hand, he did find many great places too!
Stacey said,
July 21, 2008 at 9:47 pm
We had Riley with an agent but I think it was a waste of time. They sent her to one photo shoot in the beginning and it was little pay. They also don’t take them from 18 months – 3 years at many places because they are too hard to work with at that age. I mean, have you tried posing your baby these days? yeah, I totally get it.
Riley was with an agency that didn’t require headshots because at this age they change so much. They just required monthly updates on the picture and all of her measurements. It was a pain in the butt and we gave up on it.
Angele said,
July 21, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Never EVER pay for headshots especially when Andrew is this young. When you are represented by an agency you should not be asked to pay for headshots or anything. They should only make 10% commission on work that’s done.
You will be hard press to find an agency to work with a kid from 18months – 3years of age. Clients don’t want to work with that age group, it’s too hard. So if the agency seems super eager, question that.
I’ve got 33 years being in the business and working in the business of “show business” and trust me when I say it’s cut throat. Be careful and make sure your kid comes first because all the rest is not worth it.
One word of advice is to research the company before you embark on anything.
Angele said,
July 21, 2008 at 11:44 pm
I meant to write 23 years… not 33 cause i’m only 31. : )
Angele said,
July 21, 2008 at 11:58 pm
I need to clarify that when you are older and looking to be represented in the modeling industry they will ask for portfolio’s but NEVER have I seen a legit agency ask you to pay for headshots when you have not worked for them. The agency should have to pay for the headshots in order for them to get you work where they make their commission.
If a “legit” agency askes you to pay for headshots and you happen to get work from that then it’s pure luck.
Look at it this way. When you applied for a job and started to work for them did they ask you to buy your own computer, desk and phone for you to work?? No, cause they will pay you to work for them. They give you a cut of whatever work you do and they keep the rest to cover their cost of representation.
Rosie said,
July 22, 2008 at 1:19 am
Both of my older boys were in modeling and we did pay for headshots for both of them.. however, they were both in a lot of things. J was in a McDonalds commerical and Kevin was in several episodes of a childrens show! However.. at the agency we used, kids under 2 or 3 did not have to pay for headshots.
The kids were all for it for about 2 years and then got tired of it and that was the end of it.
Carrie said,
July 22, 2008 at 5:17 am
I knew it was a matter of time. that boy is so ridiculously cute!!! I’d buy any product he was promoting!