Britain’s next tot model

They may be at the opposite ends of the celebrity A-Z list, but Danielle Lloyd and Jennifer Lopez have one thing in common. They both are keen for their children to become models.

Child modelling, like adult modelling, can be competitive, and parents should be prepared both emotionally and financially. They should also prepare their children for the possibility of rejection when auditioning.

JLo has recently starred alongside her two-year-old twins, Max and Emme in their modelling debut for Gucci childrenswear. Talk about going straight to the top.Meanwhile model Danielle Lloyd has been plugging her three-month-old baby Archie on Twitter having recently entered him into a bonny baby competition to become the baby face of high street retailer, Next.

She tweeted: ‘PLEASE vote 4 my little Archie 4 the Next baby model competition’ followed by ‘Everyone is entitled to enter. I might be a celebrity but my child isn't’ in response to some parents who feel the model’s celebrity status may scupper their own babies’ chances.

Retailers, toys, baby products and food manufacturers spend a lot in advertising their products and services with the help of child models. There’s a lot of money to be made from cute kids and those who are willing and able can have a lot of fun in the process. In the long run the money could be saved towards funding university or put in a trust fund. However, if you’re considering putting your child forward for modelling it’s important to make sure you approach reputable agencies. The Association of Model Agents is a good place to start. Their tips are as follows:

• Never answer an advert in a newspaper for child models and never go to a hotel for interviews or photography.

• Once you have found an agency, check them out with companies which are likely to use child models (eg. Toys ‘R Us, Boots, Tesco and baby magazines) to see if the agency is known and used by these clients.

• Most importantly, children should feel that they are enjoying the work.

Above all, the last point is the most important. If your child isn’t confident enough to enter the model industry in the first place, the experience could scar them psychologically so it’s important to make sure that they’re up to it. Child modelling, like adult modelling, can be competitive, and parents should be prepared both emotionally and financially. They should also prepare their children for the possibility of rejection when auditioning.

As the AMA points out: ‘At an audition, a client may ask to see 20 babies but only one will be chosen for the shoot. Once at work, all child models then need reliable and calm chaperones - and the models must be well behaved and take directions well.’

The AMA also recommends parents only use agencies on their approved list. In Manchester, Boss Model Management is a member of the AMA. The agency makes a point of recruiting child models every September rather than all year round as each child has to be licensed through the council and the requirements and procedures for child recruitment are very strict. Children are only allowed to work 20 days per year and the school has to agree to any time off.

Lauren Mellor, booker at Boss Model Management, said: “The key is that both parents and the school are flexible and the kids are easy going. We need children to be able to perform for the camera. It can work well for some parents and kids. We have one parent who has all 11 of her children on our books. Typically, children can earn £90 for a half a day or £150 for a full day.”

The next opening for child model recruitment at Boss is September 2011, however the agency do still consider submissions all year round.

Lauren added: “The criteria for child models is cuteness, character and personality. All we ask for is a full length photo of the child wearing plain white and denim.”

Photographs and contact details should be sent to info@realpeople4u.com