Joel got accepted by Elisabeth Smith

[bumpy_j]

Yaay Joel, quite chuffed after a few comments off people to try and get him into baby modelling that we got an acceptance. But the agency charge is £185 something to do with putting them forward for TV and stuff. I can't decide if it's worth it because it would be fantastic to save some money for him for the future but if he didn't get any work that's a lot of money to throw away... also unsure whether it would be stressful for the baby

 

[amygwen]

Isn't it usually a scam when modeling agencies ask for money up front? Nothing that I know personally, but I've read about it on here. A lot of women have said never to give money up front, but I really have no clue. I personally wouldn't do baby modeling, I don't like it

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

I thought the reputable agencies just took a cut of their earnings, not charge a fee upfront?

 

[Mooshie]

Me too, I thought agencies that took money up front were a scam?

Someone posted here just last week about it.

 

[nicole_]

its a charge to represent them. its usually a scam when they ask for many for a photoshoot i thought?
aidy got accepted for another modelling agency and they asked the same thing and im not sure if its worth it either as theyre not guaranteed work :/
well done though hun, joels gorgeouss

 

[Sarah&Ady]

Well done Joel! Btw... Elisabeth Smith Agency is 100% ok Good luck with the future little man xxxx

 

[Cabbage]

Steer clear of any agencies that charge upfront fees. Legitimate agencies will never ask for a fee, they take a cut from any gigs your baby gets and that's how they make their money.

 

[Sarah&Ady]

quite a few agencies (good ones) ask for money... it's quite normal reallly. I would be more concerned about an agency asking me to send in lots of pictures.... Elisabeth Smith have baby models in Baby Gap, Mothercare and Debenhams adverts & many others.

 

[Rockell8788]

Elisabeth smith is a great Agency. It's normal for baby modelling agencies to charge a up front fee this should usually include professional picture and and portfolio.

 

[Cabbage]

If the fee is for the purposes of covering professional photographs, then I guess that's ok, but they should make this clear and you should get a copy of these photos too should you wish to join another agency. It's a rather steep fee for professional shots - I imagine they keep a few pounds for themselves too!! You should ask them to take the fee out of the first job they get for your baby...

You say this agency has models in Baby Gap / Mothercare etc, then they should not be charging a fee for joining the agency as it's very bad practice to do so... I know there are a lot of them out there, but it doesn't make it right!

This following link pertains mostly to Actors, but it is the same with Models/Dancers etc.

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-...-of-charging-illegal-upfront-fees-475784.html

PS. Joel is dead cute!

 

[bumpy_j]

thanks for the advice everyone! i have heard great things about Elisabeth Smith as they are quite selective (the woman that emailed me said that they don't accept 90% of the applications they recieve). My landlady used them 20 years ago but of course I will be very careful weighing out the pros and cons as it's A LOT of money to part with - although every child agency i've come across has asked for a fee due to admin fees and licensing that kids agencies come with. I haven't come to a decision yet but will mull it over the next few days. I would hate to pay £200 for Joel to not recieve any work.