Here at Model Advice we know that your child's future is your number one priority. Child modelling can be an exciting and enriching opportunity for your child but knowing the right steps to take can be a daunting task.

As your child will require a parent or guardian present at all times, this journey will be one that you embark on together. Your support and supervision is invaluable, and can often determine the success of your child. Model Advice has put together some useful tips and advice with you, the parent, in mind.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I ready for my child to be a model?
• Can I give my child's modelling enough attention?
• Does my child have an outgoing personality?
• Does my child take direction well?
• Is my child well-behaved around strangers

If you have answered YES to the above questions then you and your child are ready to take the first steps into junior/child modelling. This can be a daunting prospect, but Model Advice wants you to feel secure and supported throughout your journey. For more information contact us.

Follow these steps and avoid the pitfalls:

• Approach reputable agencies. With the UK's modelling industry unregulated, there are a growing number of cowboy companies preying on the naive and inexperienced.
• Send pictures of your child to a reputable agency. Professional pictures are not essential at this stage; however you will need professional pictures for the agency to promote your child.
• It is important to compare agencies carefully before signing any contracts. This will maximise your child's working potential, as having a good agent will make an enormous difference.
• Never assume that the largest agency is the best. Often smaller agencies provide you and your child with greater focus and attention.
• You should not pay an agency an upfront fee. They will earn their money as commission from your wage.
• Any person under the age of 16 or in full time education must be licensed to work in modelling or entertainment. Reputable agencies which represent children are aware of and adhere to Child Licensing Laws and will organise this for you.
• You should never pay for your child to feature on an agency's website. If they are genuinely trying to promote your child and get them work, putting them on the website should be customary procedure.
• Beware when applying to adverts in newspapers or magazines. These are not usually legitimate companies or jobs.
• Your child will be required to attend castings to audition for jobs. See the casting as an enjoyable experience and opportunity for you and your child, in order to alleviate pressure and stress.
• Once your child is modelling professionally it is recommended that your e-mail address and telephone number are used as contact details. Do not give out a direct contact number for your child.
• Always allow more than the allotted time. Modelling jobs tend to take longer than initially anticipated so it is a good idea to allow some time for extended sessions.
• Don't interfere in the shooting process unless you feel it is inappropriate. As a parent, you are required to be there for your child. However, unless asked by a member of staff, stay in the background at all times.

Here are the facts

• Modelling agencies take a commission for modelling jobs they arrange for your child. This is usually 10-20%, but should never be more than 25%.
• Most agencies estimate that a regularly working child model will earn anything from £500-£4000 per year depending on the size of job they secure.
• Child modelling agencies can receive around 500 applications per week and they usually reject 75% of these applications which means it is very competitive.
• As children grow and change so rapidly it is important that the pictures you are using to represent your child are current and accurate.

For this reason pictures should be updated in the following way:

• Babies between 0-3 months: monthly updates
• Babies between 3-18 months: every 3 months
• Children between 18months-5 yrs: every six months
• Children over the age of 5: at least annual updates