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Baby Modeling for Big Boxes Like Wal-Mart
by Shauna Smith Duty
Your child’s photos have won a few online contests, you’ve had professional comp cards made up, and you open your mailbox and find yourself staring at the kids in the Target ads. That could be your baby! But how do you transport your child from online photo contests to big box store ads?
Big City Agents
According to Dorothy Gevers, owner of www.cutiepiephotos.com, the big boxes use big city agents to find models. Wal-Mart, for instance, shoots in Detroit, and uses agents from Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana. Pampers shoots in Cincinatti, so if you’re interested in working with them, you’ll need a Cincinatti agent.
Gevers says, “Different stores use different agents. You’ll have to contact the agents to find this information, not the stores.” A Yahoo search for modeling agencies who work with big box stores brings up sites such as Pro Model Management, Inc., in Akron, Ohio. Pro Model has worked with Target, K-Mart, JC Penny, and a long list of other big name stores, magazines, and products. Affinity Model and Talent has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and New York, and they list Sears and Mervyn’s as clients.
Upping the Ante
“Some families are actually willing to travel during popular modeling/filming seasons to these areas, just to have a wide audition range,” says Gevers. Parents should understand that the competition is stout in the modeling business. Parents have to be prepared to make sacrifices if they want their child to be successful.
Another route to get noticed is through participation in national photo contests. Parents Magazine recently held a photo contest in which the winner will appear on “Live with Regis and Kelly”. At www.AmericanBaby.com, parents can enter a weekly baby photo contest with a chance to win $1,000. The winner of the photo contest at www.BabiesRUs.com will be featured on the cover of Baby Talk magazine. What better way to kick start a career than to win a national magazine photo contest? Accolades such as these would look great on a resume and make agents more likely to take notice.
Keep Up with Trends
Keep in mind, the reason the big boxes use models is to sell their wares, so parents of child models should stay abreast of fashion trends, including clothing and hairstyles. Your child will appeal to casting directors if they can pull off the trendy looks and styles the stores are marketing. Keep comp cards current and trendy, and your child will have a better chance of success.
Shauna Smith Duty is a freelance writer and homeschooling mother of two in Roanoke, Texas. Visit www.shaunasmithduty.com to read more of Shauna’s articles and find out about her latest projects.
Comments
CAV_Mod |
Mon, Apr 03, 2006 10:40am
Do any of you have experience or insight into modeling for other retailers? If so, please share your thoughts with others. |
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sarahj |
Sat, Jun 07, 2008 8:25pm
I wanted to find print modeling for my 6 year old son.Are their any located in in or around Indiana |
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leighasmommy |
Thu, Jun 05, 2008 7:31pm
are there any in Vegas? |
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brianna62806 |
Fri, Apr 11, 2008 10:20am
im trying to find some in the savannah ga area |
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kerryandpat |
Sun, Feb 03, 2008 10:07pm
Can anyone give advice on how we can get our 11 1/2 month old into modeling. He is always smiling and a happy baby |
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