Tween Model

The Tween Model Business

The modeling business, no matter what your age, is a difficult business. It is especially competitive for children as there aren’t as many jobs for them as there are for teenagers. Even if a child has the face of an angel, they may never get a modeling job unless they have the right representation and great looking photos.

Photos and Comp Cards

The first things any tween model needs are good photos. The difference between good photos and great photos is determined by the experience of the photographer. A good photo will show a clear picture of an individual without any props, preferably taken against a plain background. A great photo of a model is taken with special attention paid to showing off their best attributes. A beginner model can get by with good photos, taken by any photographer’s studio at the mall or local plaza. The cost for these photos may be as little as $50, including additional copies of favorite photos.

A professional photographer that specializes in photographing tween models for their portfolio and comp cards will cost more money. Once a model has an agent and has worked a few jobs, using a professional photographer may ensure even more modeling jobs. Photographers that specialize in model photos will usually sell comp cards as part of their photography package. Agents send out comp cards to prospective clients; they include several photographs of a model in different poses. Expect to spend several hundred dollars for a professional model photographer to photograph your child.

Finding an Agent

For some, finding an agent can be a difficult process, particularly if you live in a rural area. Most modeling agencies are located in major cities. It is common for agents to have models on their rosters that travel for their work, usually within a hundred mile radius. If you want your child to succeed in modeling, travel will be a major part of the job.

Look in your local phone books for modeling agents or talent agents. If none are listed, visit Yellow Pages.com. Be aware that modeling schools are rarely modeling agencies. Modeling schools teach tween models poise, how to apply makeup, how to prepare for interviews with potential clients, and the basics of the modeling business.

Real Agency or Scam?

Parents want their children to succeed and most scam artists take advantage of this. Identifying a scam agency can be difficult, but one sure-fire way to catch some of these is to visit the Better Business Bureau’s website. Unfortunately, true scam modeling agencies frequently change their names to avoid being caught, but using the Better Business Bureau can help you weed out some of the bad agencies.

A scam modeling agency will usually try a few of the following tactics:

• Asking you to sign a contract and pay a retainer fee
• Offer to sign a tween model if they agree to have a particular photographer do their photos
• Guarantee modeling jobs
• Avoid providing referrals
• Require you to take modeling classes that they offer, for a fee

A professional modeling agency will do the following:

• Place your child’s photo in the agency’s portfolio to show prospective clients either in an online format or in a printed catalog
• Send your child’s photos and comp cards to prospective clients
• Never guarantee your child a job in order to get you to sign with them
• Never charge a fee because they’ll be paid when your child gets paid

Open Calls

An open call is a time when a modeling agency will see prospective tween models in person. This is one way to find out right away whether an agency wants to represent a child or not. You can find out if a local modeling agency has an open call by calling them directly. If you attend one of these calls, be sure that your child has a recent haircut, is dressed in clean clothing, not wearing any makeup and is in a mood to meet an agent. Children that are upset or do not want to meet an agent will only waste everyone’s time. Treat open calls as a job interview and be ready to put your best foot forward