Child model in modeling: meaning, example and tips

How it works

The children's market is separate: clients look for natural, cheerful, sociable children, not a "model" look. Jobs are short because children tire fast, and in many countries the law limits their working hours.

All responsibility lies with the parents. They sign the contracts and releases, take the child to castings and shoots, and make sure the work is short, safe and enjoyable for the child.

The use of a child's pictures must be described especially precisely. No reliable agency charges a fee to sign a child or for a compulsory photo shoot.

In practice

A six-year-old girl is invited to a children's clothing catalogue shoot. Her mother stays with her throughout, and the job lasts two hours with a break. When the girl gets tired, the photographer stops and shoots the remaining frames another day. The contract states clearly that the pictures are used only in the catalogue and on the website.

What to watch for

The work should be fun for the child: if it is not, stop.
Simple recent pictures are enough to apply; children change fast.
A fee to sign is a sign of a scam.

Related terms

Money and rightsChaperoneA chaperone is an adult, usually a parent, who stays with a minor model at castings, shoots and on trips.Money and rightsModel releaseA model release is a document signed by the model that allows the photographer or client to use pictures of them in the stated way.Agencies and representationModeling scamsA fake agency makes its money not from a model's jobs but from the model: it charges to sign, for compulsory photo shoots or courses, and finds no work.Types of work and modelsCommercial modelA commercial model advertises products and services to a broad audience: in adverts, catalogues, packaging and on social media.Agencies and representationRepresentation agreementA representation agreement is the contract between a model and an agency: how long the agency will represent the model, both sides' duties, the commission and how payment works.

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

01From what age can a child model?

Babies are photographed for baby products from a few months old. What matters is that work is short and safe.

02Who gets a child model's earnings?

The money belongs to the child and is managed by the parents. Some countries require part of it to be set aside in the child's account.

Child model