5 Best Baby Modeling Tips Parents and Experts Swear By
Ever wondered what it would be like if your child became a model?
Aside from the exposure and possibly generous compensation, modeling can offer your little one several benefits. This includes building up his or her self-esteem as well as providing experiences to get social and be exposed to a competitive world. Modeling is also an avenue to develop his or her professionalism, and a means to learn how to cope with rejection.
photo/ public domain pic from pixabay.com
However, modeling also comes with several quirks that can be quite challenging to deal with, especially if your child is still an infant. To help you guide your child through his or her early career, here are five of the best baby modeling tips that experts and parents with firsthand experience swear by:
Determine Your Baby’s Temperament with a Test Run
Before pushing for your little one’s modeling career, you must determine his or her temperament, first and foremost. This way, you can verify whether he or she has what it takes to become a model— that is, aside from being a bundle of cuteness.
To do this, you should try to conduct a photo shoot test run by asking a neighbor or a friend to hold and pose with your baby while you take pictures. Choose someone your child isn’t used to being around with to see how your little one reacts. Better yet, leave them for a couple of minutes to determine whether your child can relax around strangers without much help from you.
Do Your Homework
It is important to find the right child modeling agency to represent your child so make sure you do your research on all of the companies around e so that you can make an informed decision. Doing so will help you find the most reputable representation whilst making sure that your child is safe and in good hands.
To do this, you can try asking other child model parents for referrals or seek agency websites and social media pages for viable candidates. The latter will also give you an insight into the characteristics of child models that agencies are looking for.
Factor in Your Child’s Routine
Since you’re handling a very young superstar-to-be, chances are that you would also need to deal with quite a lot of adjustment in terms of his or her routine. This means you should gradually change her nap time to accommodate the scheduled photo shoots.
Also, don’t forget to put his or her favorite naptime stuffed animal in your baby bag for good measure. Your little one may also require lots of snack time in between shoots, so you should always have enough milk supplies to avoid a cranky and hungry little supermodel.
Be Wise in Choosing Portfolio Photos
Opting for expensive photoshoots isn’t a wise choice especially if your child is just starting out. However, you should also remember that the pictures you send modeling agencies will serve as your baby’s ticket to a budding modeling career, which means it should showcase his or her full face and body.
That said, you must always make wise decisions when picking photos for your baby’s modeling portfolio. Ask for honest and objective opinions from friends about the images you wish to include in your child’s modeling application. You should also choose pictures where your child’s natural beauty isn’t smeared by chocolate and pudding or hidden under bulky hats and sunglasses.
Be Patient and Prepare for a Long Wait
Patience is probably the most important virtue parents can learn after having a child, but baby modeling can take this a step further.
Considering that casting can take hours, you should make sure that your little one stays entertained, well-fed, and happy by bringing enough snacks and toys. Packing home comforts like your child’s favorite food or security blanket should do the trick. Of course, you can always have another person tag along to assist you in case things get out of hand.
What’s Next?
When starting your baby’s journey in the modeling industry, it is only expected that you will face many challenges along the way. Aside from choosing a reliable child modeling agency, you can do more to make his or her journey smooth-sailing by following sound advice like these top tips from people with firsthand experience in handling baby and child models.
AUTHOR BIO
Adam Jacobs is the Managing Director of Bubblegum Casting, the longest running agency specialising in babies, children and teen talent in Australia. Bubblegum Casting works with some of Australia’s biggest brands, media properties and agencies to secure talented children to work in Television, Film and Modelling roles.
