Think that your child’s cute face should be displayed for all to see on Gerber jars or packages of Pampers diapers? Well, you’re probably not alone. Most parents think that their child is the most beautiful baby in the world; and my husband and I were no different. If you’re looking to get your child into modeling / acting, here’s some information on the process based on our experience.
There are three main children modeling agencies in Toronto including Minor details, Kamera Kids (part of Sutherland Models), and Carolyn’s Model & Talent Agency. To sign up with Minor Details (www.minordetails.ca), if your child is under the age of 3, you need to pay $50 each year and send any picture of your child that you want to be featured on their website (doesn’t need to be professional). For older kids, the annual registration fee is $100 and the agency takes their own pictures of your child at no charge. Minor Details will pretty much accept all children who are interested in signing up with them.
To sign-up with Kamera Kids (www.kamerakids.com), you need to pay and annual fee of $195 for newborns to 18 month olds (they don’t accept kids ages two to three). For kids three years and over, a professional photo shoot along with comp cards are required and there’s an annual fee of $350. Lastly, all children who are over the age of six have to attend a weekend workshop that costs $425. Kamera Kids is more selective about what babies and children they will work with so if this agency interests you but you don’t get accepted, don’t get discouraged. They want to mainatin a small number of kids who are the same age and look alike. On the same token, they frown upon parents who are not able to make all of the shoots while with Minor Details, they understand that you won’t always be able to go.
With Carolyn’s Model & Talent Agency (http://www.carolynskids.com/carolynskids/Home.html) when you sign up your baby / toddler, you need to pay a $300 registration fee that’s good for three years. For older kids, you will need to get professional pictures taken. If you use their photographer, the cost is approximately $600.
Agency commission
Of course, the agency that you choose needs to make a living as well (on top of the annual fee you pay them). On average, each agency will take anywhere between 15% to 20% of what your child makes per job.
Decision
Personally, we’re not in this for the money. We do this because it’s fun! Therefore, I picked Minor Details. Although we may not have received as many jobs (my son did receive around ten calls in his first year) or high-paying ones (most of his jobs were for catalogue shoots), we didn’t have to invest too much money and we didn’t feel pressured or guilty if we weren’t able to make it out to a job. If your child wants to do this more seriously, you may want to consider joining Kamera Kids.
About the Author: Maya Fitzpatrick
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Is there a part 2?
Thanks for that very informative post, very much appreciated. My baby boy was not chosen by Kamera Kids
.
Now I am not sure which one to go to between Carolyn’s kids and Minor details. Is there a reason in particular that made you choose Minor details? And yes, I agree with Julie, part 2 would be sweet
Thank you for your comments, we’re working on a followup story and Minor Details was chosen for their reputation for being professional and working well with young children. Stay tuned for a followup story soon.
to lucie, i would also recomend rockyz kids im 13 years old and i went there a couple years ago, you dont have to pay anything to enter and its a very good agency
Thanks
is there a part 2?
When is post 2 going to come?!
Don’t go with Carolyn’s. Your child will never get work. They just want your $$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
I have heard other people saying that too. I was wondering why would they need 2 months (from the 12 months contract) to complete a redistration process only.
If they want your child to be a model they should contact you and pay nothing!
Not sure if a Part 2 is still forthcoming but I thought I would let readers know that there may have been some changes to the information contained in part 1, namely that Minor Details, like Kamera Kids, will not necessarily accept your child (the article states that Minor Details will pretty much take any kid). I filled out the registration form for Minor Details and sent pics of my 10 month old after having been turned down by Kamera Kids and we were also turned down
I’m sorry to say that Part 2 isn’t coming. We’ve had some changes at Toronto Mom Now since this article was published, and we’re no longer in contact with the author. Our apologies for promising and not delivering.
However, I would like to thank everyone for sharing their experiences. This is really useful information.
Hello, saw your post re: Carolyn’s Kids, your information is incorrect, photos depending on the photographer are 299.00 not 600.00, No photo shoots are 600.00. Nice site!