Is your beautiful baby photogenic with a gorgeous smile, bright eyes and lovely skin?

Do they have a happy, sociable personality and love meeting new people?

Then your baby may have what it takes to become a model!

If friends, family and even strangers comment on how beautiful, happy and smiley your baby is, it might be time to start thinking about getting your infant involved in modelling.

But where to start? Here’s our top advice on how to help your baby have a successful modelling career.

Follow our top tips on how to begin your child’s modelling career:

How to Get into Baby Modelling
How Much do Baby Modelling Jobs Pay
Find a Modelling Agency
Stay Away From Scam Agencies
Do You Live Close to the City
Apply to the Agency
Meet the Agency in Person
Signing the Contract
Get Professional Photographs Taken
Does Your Child React Well to the Camera
Clients Expectations
Build a Portfolio
Get Used to Rejection
Parents Have a Big Role to Play
Modelling is Enjoyable for Mum and Dad Too

How to Get into Baby Modelling

Getting your baby noticed is not dissimilar to any other form of modelling. It’s all about doing your research, taking some high-quality photos and applying to agencies.

A classic pathway into modelling usually looks something like this:

• Find a baby modelling agency that is suitable for you and your infant.
• Get a set of professional photographs taken.
• Apply to agencies that appeal to you.
• Meet with the modelling agencies that are interested.
• Pick the one that you connect with and trust the most.
• Attend castings (i.e. interviews) set up by the agency.
• Start working on photoshoots.

How Much Do Baby Modelling Jobs Pay?

Baby models could make anything from £150 to £2000 per photoshoot depending on the brand or designer who hires your child to feature in their campaign. The rate in the industry for baby models starts from £20 per hour depending on where you live. Shoots may only last a couple of hours, but they could last longer depending on the circumstances.

Jobs in London are likely to pay more than northern cities in England or Scotland.

You may get a lot of jobs in the first year, but do be prepared to have months where work is scarce.

Finding a Modelling Agency

It is very important to find child modelling agencies that you trust. Look for agencies that specialise in working with children, but don’t write off agencies with child and baby subcategories.

A good agency will:

• Have good connections with brands
• Have great reviews
• Have a contract that is simple to read and understand
• Be upfront

Take a look online and make a list of those that appeal to you.

Applying to Agencies

Next comes the important part. Your first impression is vital, which is why you should spend a decent amount of time applying to your chosen agencies.

Most agencies will require you to fill out an application form. Be honest on the form and don’t exaggerate or falsify information – they are likely to find out and will be far less willing to work with you.

Applications will require photos of your baby. These photos are essential as the agency will decide whether or not they want to meet in-person according to whether or not they see modelling potential in your baby.

Good photos should have the following:

• Take professional photos with a high-quality camera and, if you’re not able, hire a photography studio to do it for you
• Photos should be varied; close-up face shots as well as full-body shots
• Try to keep backgrounds minimal so they don’t take attention away from the subject
• Try to get photos showing a variety of facial expressions – happy, relaxed, sleeping etc.

Once your photos have been taken, you will need to save them onto a hard drive or memory stick. You can edit photos to a certain extent, but don’t make changes that are too far away from the reality.

It’s a good idea to get these photos printed off professionally so you can create a portfolio that you can later bring to castings.

Stay Away from Scam Agencies

Unfortunately, there are scam agencies out there and it’s important to ensure you avoid them.

Investigate who the agency have worked with and how trustworthy they are in the industry to avoid being conned.

Stay away from those who ask for large upfront fees – a legitimate agency will never ask for a membership payment. If you receive social media messages from Instagram or Facebook accounts claiming to be an agency, call them to verify. Get the number off their official website – don’t use one they have sent you.

Do You Live Close to a City?

Your location is important for statistical reasons. If you’re not close to a major city, you have to be prepared to spend time travelling to and from castings and photoshoots. This will require planning and potentially time off work. Ensure you can commit to it, as agencies are reluctant to work with people who are flaky or who regularly can’t make jobs.

Remember that it’s not just you who will be travelling. Your baby will have to make the journey too. A baby who gets easily car sick or who can not cope with long journeys will struggle.

Some modelling jobs may only get 24 hours notice. Clients and child modelling agencies will not care about your logistics. Be honest with yourself and with your agency if you are in an area that is not conducive to working in the modelling industry.

Meeting the Agency in Person

If you are successful, an agency may take a few weeks to get in touch with you. They are very busy and have a lot of applications to go through. If you are unsuccessful, it is rare that you would hear back at all from an agency. Don’t give up; keep a record of all the agencies that you have applied to along with the dates, and apply again a few months later. Don’t be disheartened if you are rejected. Rejection is an unfortunate yet realistic aspect of the modelling business that you must get used to.

If they like your look, the agency will ask for you to make an appointment to come in and see them face to face. This interview is known as a casting.

If they are pleased with your baby’s behaviour and character, they will then ask for you to sign a contract.

Never trust anyone who doesn’t want to meet in person or who expects you to sign a contract over the phone.

Signing the Contract

Don’t feel pressured to sign it then and there. Make sure you read it thoroughly and are happy with all the aspects before signing. Ask for clarification if there are aspects of the contract that are confusing to you.

If you are unsure, it might be worth getting someone else to look over the legal document for you. You must understand and be happy with 100% of the contract before signing.

Getting Your First Job

So you’ve managed to get your baby signed to an agency – congratulations! Now comes the interviews and photoshoots.

Your agency will contact you when jobs that suit your baby come in. You will be expected to interview for these, too – don’t expect to land work just because an agency has accepted you.

Castings for jobs are similar to castings for agencies, with a few key differences. Firstly, you will not be the only person at a job casting. You will be competing against other hopefuls, so be ready to do what you can to stand out from the crowd.

You may have to wait for long periods of time before your time slot, so be sure to bring water and snacks as well as something fun for your baby to do (or something comfortable for them to nap in).

PRO TIP – bring an extra pair of clothes for your baby in case the first pair gets dirty – first impressions matter!

You should hear back quite quickly about whether or not you have the job. If you do, you can relax – the hard part is officially over!

What to Do At Your First Photoshoot

Different jobs will require different things. Some jobs will send you a do’s and don’ts list beforehand. This list may ask you to bring certain clothing or props, so it’s crucial you pay attention to this.

Make sure you plan well in advance. You will be given the time and day so you can ensure you are free to attend it.

Map your travel route early so you know where you’re going. Give yourself plenty of time so you’re not late.

You may want to book a hotel room if the destination is far away. Consult your contract or talk with your agency as this may be an expense they cover for you.

Try and get plenty of rest the night before the shoot (baby included). Shoots can be tiring and you will want lots of energy to make a good impression.

Does Your Child React Well to the Camera?

A way to help your baby stand out at castings is by giving them plenty of practice beforehand. Setting up a photoshoot to capture photos of your baby is great modelling and personal experience. Child models adapt well to new situations, so ensuring they are familiar and comfortable with a studio setup is a great way to take some pressure off.

Professional studios are buzzing with people and are filled with lighting and camera equipment; they can be overwhelming for beginners. Giving your little one a chance to get used to all of this is a good idea for future work.

This is also the perfect time to find out if your baby has what it takes for child modelling. Some babies don’t like the atmosphere or attention on a photoshoot, and this means they are not suitable for a life in modelling. It’s a good idea to find this out before heading off to a casting or official job.

Temper Tantrums

Easily irritable and sulky infants will not bode well with the photographers and organisers of a shoot. If your child is clingy and does not react well to new people, it may be wise to steer clear of the modelling industry. The photographer or company will prefer to work with playful, happy and cheeky babies who are sociable from a young age and play independently.

It’s expected that all babies cry at some point, but full-blown tantrums that last for hours will not work in this industry. All baby models will need to be able to react to prompts (like their favourite toy or a funny face) to make them smile and laugh; ensure you know what these are and bring them with you to shoots.

Don’t get frustrated or mad at your baby if they are unable to perform on the day. Babies are babies – no one expects them to be able to “turn it on” 100% of the time. For the best chance of success, ensure your baby is well-rested and not hungry before a shoot.

Client Expectations

Clients will have some patience with children, but a baby who cries throughout the whole shoot and needs to be held constantly will likely not be rehired.

Be honest with yourself; if your baby is not suitable for the industry, don’t try to force it. A forced baby will only be even more unhappy.

Get Used to Rejection

It’s natural to feel upset when your child is scrutinised. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what you’re signing up for if you want a career in the modelling industry.

Do not be overly defensive and burn your bridges at an audition, as your baby may be well-suited for another role. It is important to not take it personally as nearly all models have to attend a lot of auditions until they find modelling work – babies included.

Parents Have a Big Role to Play

Do remember that, as a parent, you will have a huge part to play in the success of your baby’s career as a model.

Infants are entirely dependable on their parents to ensure that they are safe and ready for the day ahead. You will have to be present at all castings and jobs. It will take a great amount of time and money to ensure success.

Modelling is Enjoyable for Mum and Dad Too

There are many enjoyable aspects of baby modelling and, by seeking great advice, you will be able to make informed decisions.

Modelling for a respectable, highly sought-after brand such as Next, Mothercare or Mamas & Papas will gain worldwide exposure for your baby. Many mums adore the designs at Next and the label will therefore constantly be on the lookout for infants who can promote their clothing.

The most successful baby models are those who are naturally good in social settings. Show-offs will thrive in the industry, and good-natured babies will also do well. Patience and resilience on the parent’s part are key to success.

Interested in getting started? Why not get in contact with us – we’ll provide you with industry information to help you get signed to an agency and help your baby land their first modelling job!