In a nutshell, it involves children (typically aged between 2-12) who are booked for photoshoots or video shoots promoting products or services. This could be for catalogues (physical and/or digital), commercials (TV or film), or promotional (live) work. With Models Direct, our jobs are so varied – take a look at our jobs board – there’s true diversity in the projects that are presented to us by our clients who call for our star child models.

Bonus info: what are clients looking for?

From our thirty years of experience helping to book our young models with clients, we’ve often seen brands and companies (micro to giant) look out for youngsters who enjoy being in front of the camera lens and are comfortable trying out new things and following directions. 

• Do I need professional photographs to be a model?
• From Blossoms to Big Smiles – Spring Photography Tips for Child Models
• How do I find modelling work?
• Our Guide to Modelling with Models Direct
• The Ultimate Models Direct Guide to Getting Your Child Into Modelling

So, how do you get the ball rolling with Models Direct? 

We understand that we all want to keep our costs down so when we request you to take pics of your little one, we recommend that you do it yourself since using a professional photographer can be expensive. Quite frankly, you can do it just as well. Just remember to make sure the lighting is natural, the background is clear and your mini-me can be seen clearly (no fuzzy pics, filters and emojis, please).
Submit their application as soon as you’re happy with everything, and leave the rest with us!

What to expect on set

It varies from assignment to assignment but when child models are booked, they can generally expect a schedule from the client which will be shared with them (but it can sometimes not go to plan so being flexible with alterations helps!). 

Naturally, they can expect lights, cameras and action, alongside potentially other models being invited to the same campaign. There will be lots of hubbub and directions being called out to listen and follow. It’ll be a busy day/set of days but hopefully plenty of fun!

Capturing the charm, vitality, and authenticity that children can bring to a campaign is what pushes us to commit to our word: that child models can do it and enjoy a part-time career in modelling. If this sounds interesting, let us know!  

Important factors to consider

As a parent or guardian looking set to have your child become a child model, you’ll need to first become familiar with the industry. This means finding a reputable agency that can represent your child, actively put them forward for work, negotiate a respectable amount for the work, have a solid safeguarding policy and procedures in place and ongoing communication for advice and continual support. Models Direct can already offer this for your child.

Take a look at some of our recent junior models’ modelling assignments here:

Client: Say It With Diamonds

Models: Zuri (3), accompanied by mum and gran – Deborah and Sandra.

Brief: Mother’s Day assignment

Date of experience: 6th February 2024

Client: Bluewater (with Inkling)

Model: Madison

Brief: Christmas campaign

Client: Jet2holidays

Model: Holly

Brief: New children’s meals campaign

Here are the corresponding firsthand parental accounts straight from the source:

“Our second time shooting with this client and it was honestly just a dream. They not only accommodated us for the Mother’s Day shoot (ages 3, 38 and 70) but they made it the most enjoyable and memorable family experience for 3 generations of the women in our family.

Models Direct were as conscientious and professional as ever ensuring we were not only fully briefed and debriefed but our every need on the day was exceeded.

Zuri (aged 3) has the absolute, best time on the shoots and it was great to see the same photographer she has worked with before and has an excellent rapport with.”

“Madison has had an amazing time doing the photoshoot today at Bluewater’s Shopping Centre having photos done with Santa by the Thanksgiving tree. All the children looked amazing in their Christmas jumpers supplied by the clients. Would like to thank Models Direct for all the communication and for making this a fun experience for Madison, looking forward to next week.”

“Holly had a really great day doing the Jet2 new children’s meals campaign, it was a good first experience for her. The shoot was very informal, and all involved were extremely friendly and made us feel very comfortable. I hope Holly is able to have more experiences like this as she really enjoyed working with the other children and Tom the photographer was very friendly and put her at ease. Thanks for the opportunity and hope there will be many more in the future.”

Thanks to everyone involved!

Budget-friendly tips to consider

We’ve rounded up some of the essential advice for you to review in bite-sized chunks because we know parents are busy people!

Talk to your child (depending on their age and understanding) about modelling. What it means, examples of work which they can see here, and skills such as punctuality, communication and teamwork.

Help your child feel comfortable in front of the camera. Practise in familiar environments and dry run poses and expressions.

Create a versatile portfolio of season-themed props and natural settings (you can be the photographer! No need for a pro.)

Compile a wardrobe of sale or pre-loved apparel that follows the latest fashion trends and use these in your child’s shoots.

Speak to your agency’s team about balancing life commitments such as education and extracurricular activities. We offer free advice!

We hope this gives you an insight into the world of child modelling. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact our modelling expert team who are available to help.

We’ve been at the forefront of all types of commercial modelling for decades, promoting baby models at one end of the scale, to mature models at the other end (not forgetting pets in the middle!). Though we value every single aspect of our talented models, juniors are particularly important for many reasons.

Taking our business hat off for a minute, models in the 2-12 year old bracket can develop wonderful social skills when working in our industry. It’s never too early to learn, so parents may consider junior modelling as a fundamental “top up” to their education. Let’s look at a few benefits juniors receive from modelling:

1. Interaction with adults other than at social events or at school. Tell me more

2. A child’s confidence can skyrocket by starting a creative venture, seeing it through from start to end.

3. Professional, paid work in a safe and secure environment.

4. Breaks in a routine reduces monotony and increases creativity.

5. Enjoyment! The same applies to adults: if you’re not taking pleasure from modelling, there’s little chance the assignment will be a success. Also, as modelling is purely optional, models are not pressured into agreeing to jobs they feel aren’t suitable for them. A child’s age dictates that their decision is made by parents / guardians. Children are often asked to dress up for their modelling roles, too, so this reason alone could make a child’s experience more fun!

The criteria for junior modelling is as uncomplicated as it is explicable. We ask for applications to be submitted by adults on behalf of 2-12 year olds, complete with a couple of clear photos. The desire to succeed and enjoy modelling work is more valuable than experience! Set the wheels in motion now.

As an agency with bags of experience, we know all too well that junior modelling is that little bit different to adult modelling. With this in mind, our expectations “on the day” are relatively limited. Our clients and industry professionals are always keen to oversee the entire operation, so all we ask is that juniors are happy, obliging and safe. And, of course, parents and guardians can be on set to watch, be proud, and maybe to learn a thing or two! Find out more about junior modelling

Parents – why not make a resolution on behalf of your child? If you think they’ll enjoy modelling and you’re confident they have the right skills, the New Year could be the perfect time to see if we have the right assignments for them!

Models Direct look into the wonderful world of children and the talents and skills they can gain.

Since we are a top UK modelling agency seeking talent all over the country, we really like to focus on those who are aged between 2 and 12. This modelling division is so vast with a large age range from such a captivating market. It brings an added flair of character to companies advertising ventures, making adverts memorable and relatable. (Think of the wonderful ads for Mercedes Benz – besides the actual product, children have been the driving force for the creation of classic marketing just as one example).

And if you’re wondering, child models do earn money for their skills and time. Money can be a topic which parents and guardians can explain and discuss to help aid their children’s understanding about the world of work, where it is stored, how it should be taken care of and then used wisely.

How much a child model can make is dependent on a few factors as it varies from assignment to assignment.

Who the client is, plays an influential role when budgeting the project. Big brands will be prepared to spend a higher price whilst smaller brands will budget according to their means.

Location – If a child model’s assignment entails travelling far regionally or even internationally then they will see their earnings rise. Added to the bonuses of being a model, travel expenses will be paid straight up or reimbursed. Luckily our child models have had the chance to visit new areas with their family and friends and do some sightseeing in between shoots and filming.

Duration: The length of a project fluctuates from one project to the next. Sometimes things don’t always go according to plan either which can add on extra time when tying up loose ends. Schedules could be modified on the go or in advance if the client wishes to adapt their brief. However, models will be compensated for their time thus impacting their income for the job.

So, back to the main question in this blog – just how much does a child model make? 

Well, based on all the factors mentioned they can earn anywhere between £100 to several thousand. Having a reputable modelling agency guiding their journey as opposed to going solo and doing all the hard work themselves (or rather their family or friends) is the best position to be in.

An agency can negotiate the fees for the child model and agree with their parents or guardians before work commences. This then gives them a clear picture of what the star of the show will be taking home. It can be challenging and daunting if this process isn’t done with the backing of a modelling agency so looking for a solid, long-standing and expert company is key.

Models Direct have been in the industry for 30 years gaining knowledge, insight and invaluable experience in the modelling world. They know what’s what and how to carry out all the processes including the negotiation stage. The figure that is quoted and negotiated with our expert team is then passed onto the parents or guardians of the child to see if they agree and would like to proceed. If they do then the assignment is officially booked and the fun can begin.

If you have a child who you would like to put forward as a model, get in touch with us today!

We’re talking about denim. In this blog, we’ll discuss its history and just what makes denim the “go-to” material for many around the world.    

The word “denim” is derived from the fabric known as “serge de Nimes” – Nimes being the French city situated between Montpellier and Marseille, just to the west of Provence near the south coast. With a history dating back to the Roman Empire, Nimes is often dubbed “the French Rome” and is cited as the most Roman city outside Italy. “Serge” is a strong cloth, so the word “denim” merely originated from “the material of Nimes”, just as “Nylon” is a fusion of “New York” and “London”. 

Specifically, denim a cotton twill textile. One of the threads – the “warp” – is traditionally dyed indigo, whilst the other “weft” thread remains white. Whilst denim nowadays is used for jackets, dungarees and shirts (and jeans, obviously), the original use was, naturally, for trousers. The word “jeans” comes from “Genes” – the French name for the people from Genoa, where the cotton trousers were manufactured. In the mid-1800s, during the Gold Rush, miners required clothing that was durable and not prone to tearing. Enter businessman Levi Strauss. With the help of Latvian tailor Jacob Davis, Strauss began mass production of jeans for the miners, even incorporating  rivets into the jeans to reinforce the durability and to strength the parts of the jeans likely to tear. It proved a stroke of genius. Spawned from humble beginnings for the mining trade, denim jeans were to be a global icon.

Denim jeans really “kicked off” in the 1930s, largely due to the popularity of Western films. Though production levels dropped during World War II, jeans became the trouser of choice for US soldiers on leave. In the 1950s, jeans became the staple for teenagers, inspired by actors such as Marlon Brando and James Dean. It was around this time that companies such as Lee and Wrangler came in on the action, and denim never looked back.

So, denim began its journey because it was durable; style wasn’t important. Film stars are great publicity tools, and denim has the 1950s movies to thank for its sudden – though understandable – mass appeal. Durability is a beneficial quality in all clothes, but when you mix in style and famous endorsements, it’s a powerful combination. 

For decades, denim has been worn by pretty much everyone, from Joe Bloggs to royalty. On the front page of The Daily Telegraph on 9th April 2020, Prince Charles is posing with the Duchess of Cornwall, who is wearing…yep, you guessed it, jeans. Denim is such a fantastic material that its future is hardly in doubt. Denim will be seen in the fashion industry for decades to come, and even if there is a drop in trend, you can be sure it’ll make a comeback. It’s pretty much guaranteed.  

Take a look in celebrity magazines, social media posts, on TV channels and – well, everywhere. Denim is the ultimate material: it’s fashionable, reliable, consistent and practical. There are literally billions of denim items around the world – even shoes, hats and scarves. Now, that’s versatile.  

To help you out the Models Direct team, of which a large percentage are parents, have compiled their top tips to make travelling with kids that little bit easier!

Our junior models also often have to travel for assignments , generally within in the UK, but sometimes it means going on a plane and travelling further afield, so what ever your reason for travel it helps to be a little bit organised and take the stress away.

If your travels this season are taking you over seas here are Models Direct’s  helpful tips to flying with children:

1 –  Comfort:   It’s a good idea to  dress your children in comfortable clothing when travelling, make sure they wont be too hot or too cold and are not restricted by what they are wearing. There’s no need to look super stylish when travelling, it’s much more important that your children have comfortable clothing on so they can relax and  can sleep if tired and   can sit in it for long periods of time.

2 –  Food & Snacks: Food can  be expensive and sometimes difficult to find when travelling, so have a bag of tasty snacks with you . It’s a good idea to have a variety of different things, some healthy snacks, some treats and also some thing the children haven’t tried before  to keep it interesting. As we all know children get super grumpy when hungry, so a little pick me up during a long flight or car journey can make all the difference. Also carry plenty of water with you, it’s very important to stay hydrated, particularly if it’s warm or you are flying, dehydration can make you feel very tired, so often regular sips of water can keep moral up!

3 –  Activities:  With tablets available to many of us it’s very easy to sit a child down with a tablet and headphones, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing,  parents are now able to download educational and fun games for children of all ages , so make sure you have updated your /their tablet with some new apps and games that will keep them interested.  If you are on a long journey then it’s useful to pack a variety of activities and space them out over the travelling time, so they are new to the child, could be a new coloring book, spelling game, maps and maze puzzles, reading book,  etc – there are lots to choose from on the market. Trick is to not give  them all to your child at the same time, keep their curiosity!

4 –  Stay Calm:  As a parent it’s really important to try and stay calm with your children while travelling, try and avoid arguments and upset as this will make the journey and travelling experience much more stressful than it needs  to be.  Aswell as looking after the needs of your children make sure your own needs are met also so you feel the best you can.

5 – Sleep:   If you are travelling for a long time make sure your children have a chance to rest and ideally sleep! Try and stick to their routines as much as you can, feeds and naps are essential especially with babies and toddlers. So if you are flying make sure your baby is fed when they usually are and  made comfortable so can drift off to sleep rather than getting over tired and grumpy. It can be useful to have a small blanket and pillow with you if in the car or a plane so that your child is comfortable and  warm.

6 – Other Passengers:  Whatever mode of transport we may be on we are often in close proximity to other passengers, so try and be cheerful and polite to the people near you, especially if you have a baby or young child with you who may be noisy or cry, it’s useful to have the people around you on your side  and possibly may help you out if you need it!

7 – Organisation:  There is so much for parents to think about before going away, it can often seem overwhelming, but organisation is key and will make your travelling experience much calmer and enjoyable. Plan ahead with your packing, don’t leave it until the last minute! Make sure your hand luggage is organised and prepared in a suitable bag and has everything you need for the plane or is within easy reach in a car or train, you will be calmer if you know you have everything you may need for your baby or child.

Whatever the distance you are travelling, the most important thing is to stay calm and try and make each part as fun as possible, it’s all part of the holiday experience and  can be a great time for your children to learn and see new things!