Families exude a kaleidoscope of emotions with love resting at the top of the list. These genuine, raw feelings within a family unit can then be translated on screen or in images, and that’s where brands and businesses step in and team up to make some fascinating and timeless campaigns.

Our modelling agency, Models Direct, is not surprised that our clients call for real and manufactured families – dependent on the logistics of the campaign. But when it comes to real families coming together to create a standout campaign, there’s no better place to hire them than from us!

Why?

We provide a diverse landscape of talent.

Our families come in all formations and sizes. Some consist of two family members whilst others consist of more.

Provide us with your brief and we’ll present a selection of families who closely fit what you’re looking for.

If you’d like to arrange a casting call or self-tape, let us know and we’ll arrange this for you.

You’ll have access to our selected families’ portfolios and see their diverse and up-to-date range of images and reels.

You’re in control as you get to choose who you want for your project. We don’t sway your decision. If you change your mind and don’t want to go ahead, there are no hard feelings! We totally get that things change – marketing visions and directions can always alter right till the last minute and we accommodate these changes from both our clients and models side of hiring and booking.

We request feedback from our clients and want to know how it went – the positives and the negatives – so that we can continue to improve our services and provide the best experience for everyone.

• 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

Take a look at our client reviews to see what they had to say about our family models:

Hoburne Holidays

How was your talent booker – friendly, efficient, quick? Very quick and efficient, great service

How did the assignment go on the day? Really good, the family were great, kids great and everyone worked well.

How did our talent(s) perform, did they do a good job? They did a great job, very responsive and listened well.

Are there any changes you would like to see? None

Would you use us again, if so, why? Yes, we would, very quick and efficient, great models.

Sanctuary Housing

How was your talent booker – friendly, efficient, quick?

Molly is always friendly, efficient and quick. On this particular occasion, we required models with very short notice and Molly was able to get the assignment moving with only a week’s notice and find us exactly what we were looking for.

How did the assignment go on the day?

The models arrived early with no problems getting to the location. They were exactly what we were hoping for and made the shoot a breeze.

How did our talent(s) perform, did they do a good job?

The Brown family did exceptionally well considering it was their first assignment as a family. We shot in a variety of different locations and they took each scenario in their stride. In hindsight, the 4-hour day was perhaps a little too much for the youngest member of the family, as you can tell towards the end that he was getting a little tired! This wasn’t a problem for us as we came away with plenty of great material anyway, but it is a learning curve for us for booking younger actors/models in the future.

Are there any changes you would like to see?

No, we are always really happy with the service that Molly and talent management give us.

Would you use us again, if so, why?

Definitely. We think that Molly is brilliant, and we are really pleased with the talent we have been able to find through her, they have fitted the briefs perfectly.

For more of this, head over to this page and if you’d like to hire a family for your marketing campaign, let us know right here! We look forward to working with you and helping you build your campaign.

The takeaway

The demand for modelling has skyrocketed with our agency and we’ve got new and existing clients coming to us for our comprehensive services backed with expert knowledge and experience in the sector. If all this sounds good to you, we’d love to have you join us!

What’s more, modelling is more realistic than you might expect. The days of models being portrayed as flaunting latest fashions on catwalks from chic labels disappeared decades ago. It’s true that the world of high-end fashion is still flourishing, but we’re an agency with more grounded roots. In fact, our extensive client list isn’t interested in seeing models that have had experience with global fashion houses. What they are keen to know is this: which everyday person or people can help them effectively market their products to the general public? The answer is: it could be you, or your family.

The first step in a simple process is to apply to register your family with us, complete with a couple of clear group photos.

The second step is to let us see what you can offer our clients. If a suitable family modelling job arises and we think you’d make a perfect fit, we’ll recommend your family to the client. It’s their choice whether your family gets chosen. It’s a process that has served us, our models and our clients well for nearly 35 years, propelling Models Direct to become Europe’s no.1 modelling agency.

Our brands know what they’re looking for. They make us their first choice when searching for the right models, so we act as the professional go-between model and client. And when a model gets selected, we make sure they’re comfortable with their booking, from telling them the good news to receiving the all-important evaluation of how it went.

It’s not hard to understand why family modelling keeps increasing in demand. A lot of brands we work with desperately need families to help them promote their business.

It doesn’t have to be a specific product either. The Rizkalla family were selected recently by Park Holidays at one of their locations, complete with videographer and photographer. The weather was stunning, they enjoyed complimentary food and drinks, and were rewarded for their group commitment with a generous paycheque within 5 working days. Not too bad, if we say so ourselves.

There’s no reason why your family couldn’t be the next one chosen by our famous brands. It could be for huge retailers, travel operators, government agencies or notable charities. There’s no limit to family modelling. As long as the demand is there, we need more close-knit enthusiastic families. Read more detailed reviews from families here.

Before families register, the following points will be useful:

• Travel expenses are paid
• As a general rule of thumb families often demand a larger fee than single models, due to the amount of individuals employed for the assignment
• As with any model (including pets), we strongly recommended families to regularly keep us informed of current or new looks by updating their Models Direct portfolios
• No modelling experience by any family member is necessary
• We welcome legal guardians as well as birth parents, as well as same sex couples with children

Modelling is a realistically viable opportunity for many people. We know this because we’ve placed thousands of models with our clients. Families are no different, and they continue to be highly prized by brands all across the UK and beyond.

Will you be the next family to work with professionals in the modelling industry? There’s only one way to find out.

Some of the best moments in life are when you’re spending precious time with the ones you love. Are you always trying to look for new opportunities and spaces to do this given that we lead quite active and busy lives? We’re glad you’ve landed on this blog because it’s another venture you can embark on to get your family together with a bonus of getting paid. What’s the secret to spending quality time with the ones you love and a handsome fortune in return? Yup, family modelling. But how do you get your family on board if they’re not convinced modelling is for them?

Models Direct will lend you some suggestions on getting your family together for unforgettable modelling assignments that you can all look back on and reminisce.

Discuss the idea when everyone’s together

Instead of individually calling everyone up or posting a message on your family WhatsApp group, get everyone around the Sunday dinner table to discuss the prospect of becoming a family model. If anyone has reservations that’s OK because everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. It might take them some time to warm to the idea especially if they have their hands full already, or they might not at all like the idea. If you’ve got some members sitting on the fence you can move on to the next stage.

Learn about the family modelling division

Understanding anything new means experiencing and gaining its exposure. You can open a positive portal to this world by reading, watching, listening and communicating with modelling agencies and family models, and introducing your family too. This will hopefully offer a holistic perspective of this modelling category.

Find a reputable modelling agency that can represent you

You’ll want an agency that embraces you and your family regardless of your look, size, ethnicity, religion, or age. There’s plenty of other areas to mention but you know what we mean! Models Direct is that agency that will work with you, not against you – embracing you for you and intending to change absolutely anything about how you look.

Build a portfolio together

If your family loves pics, building a portfolio couldn’t be easier. It might be a bit difficult if some members don’t like to say cheese to the camera – give it some time. If they’re really adamant that this isn’t for them, that’s absolutely fine. We have mother-daughter duos, grandparents and kids, aunt and nephew combinations that make part of the family modelling division so there’s no restriction that everyone has to join in. That’s not the case at all, and hopefully, the more you read about our UK no 1 modelling agency, we hope the more you will like.

Those families who are already signed up with Models Direct and have perhaps taken on assignments for us will already have e-portfolios.

Those who have been mulling over whether or not to join us may be aware that if they do, they will need to complete this on-line portal which has images and information on it.

E-portfolios are absolutely essential tools for us and our clients – we open them up to find out more about our families and other models whenever someone similar has been requested for a booking.

We ask all our models to keep their e-portfolios up to date, with both photography and information, but we also stress this is an easy process and great fun can be had while doing it.

Taking new pictures for an e-portfolio can be a lovely family activity and we often suggest that you try to combine it with other occasions, changes in the season, days out or holidays.

So what family photo opportunities are coming up?

*Well, Halloween is almost upon us. Perhaps you and your family will engage in some fun Halloween arts and crafts or baking activities together – or perhaps you are going to a party. We love to see photos of models having a good time, just remember those disguises mustn’t be too good because we need to be able to see everyone’s faces properly!

*Bonfire Night is nearly here too and again you might be having family fun. Let’s see you out in your garden with your woolly hats on, all enjoying a special November 5th barbecue or perhaps at the kitchen table making fireworks’ cupcakes together. Just remember to think very carefully about lighting if you are taking pictures in the evening or at night and, of course, ensure everyone stays safe if you are in an environment with a bonfire or fireworks.

*Autumn walks can also provide great opportunities for family photos. Ask a friend or family member to take some pictures with the wonderful colours of autumn behind you on the trees in the park or wood as you stroll along or play games together.

*Then, of course, before you know it, Christmas will be upon us. This always provides a magnitude of opportunities, with parties, school plays, fetes and then the big day itself. It may seem very early, but why not start circling those dates as they appear in your diary if you think they might provide good photo opportunities? Once again, think carefully about ensuring we can see everyone clearly and keep your backdrops as uncluttered as possible. But do remember to give us a good idea of where you are and when – and let’s see everyone having a wonderful time together!

When it comes to family modelling, this usually refers to hiring models who are related to each other. Parents and children, siblings, couples, aunts and uncles, are some examples of how a family modelling squad might set up to look like for advertising campaigns or editorial shoots.

This special niche within the modelling world is a beautiful construction of love and togetherness. The sense of warmth that this evokes – of family values and traditions – can create meaningful and impacting campaigns. The vision that companies have is to create imagery and content that is unforgettable and leaves a lasting impression. So, here we are – thirty years into the modelling industry – Models Direct know the biz, the buzz, trends and all the latest juicy info – and we definitely know that family models are soaring high.

There are lots of great points about family members getting together, putting in an application as a family model and getting gigs. Even though it can be chaotic fun, it’s so rewarding! We’ll walk you through why you should consider this profession.

Creating natural-looking content with familiarity

When family members join forces, they are usually more comfortable in each others company as opposed to strangers being selected to construct a manufactured family. The familiarity of one another will help create natural-looking content that an audience can connect with.

Showcasing a diverse age range of generations

Having different age groups in the family can make the shoot more dynamic and interesting, as family members can play different roles and showcase different products or services whether this means presenting a traditional family or promoting more modern campaigns that are not available to individual models. The different generations can show the multifaceted layers of a family all in one place.

It’s a unique selling point

Family models can be a unique selling point for businesses and their brands as they help promote positive roles, values, trust and reliability that consumers can relate to.

Gaining exposure and networking

This modelling division is a great way to gain experience and exposure in the world of modelling with your family by your side. Networking can help increase your opportunities so if your family’s been booked, here’s your chance to gain more exposure.

It’s cost-effective

Okay, so we’re stating the obvious here, and it’s from the clients point of view rather than the family’s, but we thought, why not? Hiring models from the same family can save on costs for clients as they would only need one hair and makeup team, wardrobe, production team and set. If a client decides to hire multiple models unknown to one another, it can make it challenging to translate that natural rapport and connection a family has. This doesn’t mean it cannot happen, because it does, but clients weigh up their options and can tend to pick real families. Also, getting models prepped at different locations might be required which could mean further added costs for model’s preparation for the role.

The family takeaway (yes, this could involve advertising and eating food!)

Overall, family modelling can be a fun and exciting experience. It can provide flexibility in that it can fit around your schedule and can be done on a part-time basis. With the recent events that have unfolded globally, consumer behaviour has shifted and there’s a focus on family and home life. This interest has increased the demand for family modelling so if you’re thinking that this might be something you and your family could do, get in touch with Models Direct and we’d love to help. We’ve worked with so many brands and companies over the years, why not make your family a part of their marketing history?

We’ve compiled some images of our beautiful family models to give you an idea of what it’d be like being on our books. Just to add, we don’t stick these images up and leave it at that. We’re actively involved in making things happen and landing our families gigs and unforgettable experiences which they can share together.

Calling all families! Models Direct need you. If you’ve landed on this page, we’re pleased to meet you. We hope you’re doing well and that your year so far is going great. Why not make it even greater by reading this info and thinking about how you could get involved with our modelling agency? We’ll spill the beans right here.

Families are amazing, complex, fun, challenging, and make everything feel complete. Whether you’re a single parent with kids, blended families coming together or living with your uncle or grandparent, family setups are all different. The diverse arrangements tell their personalised story and have their history. However your family has been organised, it’s beautiful and makes you you. And there’s one emotion that all families share which is unconditional love.

Our talent and modelling agency is looking for more families to step forward for future work to share that unconditional love with the world. We’ve got so much to give and right now, there’s a wonderfully thriving demand for diverse and blended families. These families can bring a unique and valuable perspective to modelling campaigns.

So if this sounds like something you and your family are willing to try out, here are some of our tips to get you off to a solid head start:

Portfolio, portfolio, portfolio

This is at the top of the pack, not the bottom of the pile. It’s super important to display your family’s dynamic personality through candid family photos and reels to capture special moments.

Have flexibility

Make way for new opportunities and the unpredictability that can accompany modelling. You could be contacted a few days before a gig or you could be asked to go abroad just like how our Goulding family went to France. There will be travel and there will be long hours. We’re letting you know so that you have a holistic idea of what life will look like as a family modelling team so be ready for flexibility.

This works on our end too! We’re a flexible agency, so if a gig doesn’t suit your schedule (since there are commitments outside this profession) we will understand and accommodate your needs accordingly.

Take a look at MD’s content

We’re active across most major platforms so please spare some time to look through our content – our blogs, reviews, reels and stills from photo sets to get an idea of where our family models have worked and how the experience was for them. We have a plethora of information for you to enjoy; our treasure trove of family modelling stories to tell. Maybe you and your family could join us on this journey and you’ll be paid for your time!

Models Direct want you to truly enjoy the world of family modelling. Families are structured differently but that doesn’t mean that we’re only looking for a traditional family set-up. As a long-standing agency, our outlook is about embracing diversity and inclusivity, and this means carrying blended families through successful campaigns because these campaigns are reflecting the diversity of the world we are living in today. Be part of this and celebrate your family by showing the world you’re one-of-a-kind!

Family models make up a big chunk of the modelling industry. Our talent and modelling agency knows this because we’ve connected many families to clients who are looking to hire for their campaigns. Whether it’s been as a large family unit, or sub-divisions such as mum and child duo (trio or quartet), granddad with grandchildren or aunties, uncles, cousins and blended families, it’s definitely a large niche to launch into.

What’s great is clients tend to hire real families because they know the natural connection, rapport and history of love and communication between family members can translate seamlessly into digital forms.

So with the temperature rising again, the summer is a perfect time to get snapping and building a lovely collection of your family models.

Before you begin snapping away, give a heads up to everyone involved that you’ll be taking in-the-moment snaps so it doesn’t feel forced or orchestrated. This way everyone will get a chance to be in the zone, prepare to strike a pose and connect with their inner model.

Here are some of our tips for winning family modelling photos:

Plan ahead

It’s perfectly fine to be spontaneous and take snaps when everyone least expects it. Those spur-of-the-moment moments can be the most memorable and showcase the best feelings and emotions at the time. However, if you’re getting ready for a night in or a day out, you can plan ahead and think of when and where you’d want to take a pic with all your squad.

If, for example, you’re going out for a picnic, let everyone know that you’ll start taking snaps as soon as everyone chooses a spot to sit, and you’ll continue up until the mat and food have all been placed down. The snaps you’ll whip up during this time will be simple yet amazing – everyone in action (hopefully) helping to get the Tupperware out, plastic plates seated and drinks on standby.

Make use of the natural light

When the sun pops out and stays, early morning till late afternoon is a great time to take photos as the light is softer and more complimenting. So bye-bye squinting eyes, eye discomfort, awkward expressions and harsh shadows because you’re snapping in the wrong light!

Composition – where will everyone be?

Make sure everyone is clear and visible in images. Blurry, fuzzy, out-of-focus images are a no-no even if the snap looks quite exciting. If it’s smudged, keep it for you but not your family portfolio.

Use a selfie stick

If you’ve got shaky hands, don’t want to rely on someone else to take your pics or looking to capture you and your family from a different angle or wider range, then grab a selfie stick to help you. If you don’t have one, they can range from £5 and above.

The more the merrier

Don’t hesitate to keep hitting that take-a-pic button so you have multiple shots to choose from. One image isn’t enough, family models. Take lots and shortlist them according to what you and your family agree on.

Enjoy yourself

Despite the tips provided by our expert Models Direct team, it’s important to have fun and enjoy yourself whilst building your family models. Quick recap: plan ahead, make the most of the natural light, consider composition, use a selfie stick and take loads of snaps!

We’re looking forward to seeing your family snaps on your ePortfolio!

Some don’t realise that these good-time memories can be shared whilst earning a decent fee in the process. How? By modelling, of course. It’s true that a lot of families have already delved into the world of commercial modelling, while others have considered it, without following up on their collective modelling aspirations. We’re here to tell families in every corner of the UK that group modelling is very real, and your aspirations can be turned into reality sooner than you’d think!

Families have been indispensable to us and our clients for years. We’ve been breaking down barriers and stereotypes since 1990, and we’ve grown our client list into the largest around. Most people immediately think of individual models when asked who we have on our books. Well, we’re always keen to hear from families who can shine on assignments – whether it’s a proud mother & child, a dad & sons / daughters combo, or a larger scale family effort! All our families excel on their jobs, with glowing post-assignment reviews a testament to how the process works.

Blended families are those where one or both parents have a child / children from a previous relationship to form a new, loving family. Think of the definition as a “step family”. Blended families often have to be more patient as the relationships develop, but they play as crucial a role in a child’s growth as any other devoted “traditional” family.

Blended families constitute roughly 10 – 15% of families in the UK. Because at least one child in the family is from another relationship, a blended family may have more obstacles to overcome: a child or parent may have different views from their upbringing in a different background (or even from a different country); the relationship between step-parent and step-child could take longer to build as there is no shared history between the two; contact with birth parents can be tricky. There are plenty of scenarios to consider, but the common goal is the same – to provide a safe, loving environment for children to enjoy being a child, and to provide them with the very best opportunities when the time comes for them to “fly the nest”.

We’d like to summon a united rallying cry to all blended families with a mutual interest in commercial modelling. Same sex families, parents with a noticeable age gap, children of different ethnicities…opportunities for any family – blended or otherwise – are widespread in the modelling industry, and we’d like to see families come together on set, working for us and our clients.

Take advantage of the summer by taking snaps of your gorgeous blended family, and then show them off to us! If you’re new to commercial modelling, have a look at the link below to give you an idea of how the summer can benefit self-promotion. Plus, none of our models need prior modelling experience to be successful!


Use your combined looks and skill sets to wow us, and you could be our next blended family who works with our impressive range of top-notch clients. That’d be a memory to truly cherish, wouldn’t it?

What if we told you that there’s a way you can be together and get paid for it?

Intrigued? Want to learn more? Please keep scrolling and reading to find out about families and modelling, and how a typical day might look for them if they’ve been booked for a campaign. 

We begin with a scenario (this is a close reflection of a family modelling team signed up with our agency – no names will be included): adult models’ mum, dad, and two child models (both genders) who are under 10 booked for a supermarket giant photoshoot.

It’s Saturday and the family need to arrive at their booking which is roughly 30 miles from their home. They were informed 2 weeks prior by telephone from a designated coordinator about the company, what their project was about, the amount the family will be paid, and the brief. They delightfully accepted and MD sent an email to congratulate them and confirmed all the details of the brief in detail. We then called the family to make sure they were happy to still go ahead and if they had any questions, we were always a phone call away.

So here we are right now, everyone’s ready in neutral summer clothes, light hairstyles and make-up, getting ready for an already fuelled ride to meet the production team, and photographers and get to work. With a couple of sleepyheads that know need to be woken up, they arrive around 20 minutes before schedule giving them all enough time to freshen up.

After more or less than an hour’s car journey (plus anticipated traffic according to a handy app) the family find a spot to park, pay for their parking ticket, and meet the team who have their set already set up for the photoshoot. The family know where to go as their brief stated to meet in the superstore’s cafe. 

There the team introduce themselves to the family, the kids are super excited, and the team talk through what the day will look like (even time for a tea break and lunch which will be paid for!), and what sort of photos will be taken.

The lights are on, cameras rolling and the family are role-playing around a café table with some of the food and drinks provided for the photoshoot. It’s a fun time – mum, dad and children are really happy to be doing something completely different, and they’re enjoying it too! The kids are really excited to see what the final stills will look like in print so the team kindly switch a camera around to show them some of the images that were captured. Some were of giggles and conversation whilst others were of them eating and drinking the products to promote the supermarket’s café brand.

A few hours in, plus those free refreshments and lunch, the children are feeling pretty exhausted. Mum and Dad are too!

The team call it a day and thank the family for their time. Everyone feels pleased and positive with how it went and the family are ready for another modelling gig!

Our coordinator calls a day after work to check in on how it went with the family. The children are back to school but model mum and dad are working from home and can fill in with all the highlights and their overall experience of the day. Our happiness check confirms that they are very satisfied and look forward to more work. They are happy to leave feedback about their experience which they can email to our coordinator.

A few days done the line, as promised, they receive that lovely cheque through the post for their hard work and time (their parking ticket charge is also included!). They’re so glad they applied to Models Direct, and as a family modelling team, the experience is even better! They’re making wonderful memories, trying something completely new and being paid for it! You couldn’t ask for more!

If you like the sound of this and what a day tends to look like for a family model, do contact our MD team as we’d love to hear from you and secure work for you and your family.

Family modelling has many advantages, and these should be at the forefront of families looking to supplement their income in the weeks to come. Consider the following:

1. Families often demand higher fees because of the number of individuals required on set.

2. Whilst it’s easy to make new friends on modelling jobs for individuals, families are more likely to feel at ease during photo shoots because…well, they already know each other!  

3. A lot of our clients are renowned in their field, so their products are well-known by the public; families are essential to depict stability and trust.

4. Travel arrangements are usually cheaper when travelling as a family.

5….and schedules are easier to keep.

6. How many families do you know can say they are a “modelling family”? Not many, eh? Well, you’d be surprised at how many opportunities there are for happy families, although it’s fair to say your modelling family would be in the minority in your area. That’s something to make the neighbours green with envy!

So, now could be the best time to seriously think about joining forces with parents, siblings and other relations to form a dynamic modelling family.

But families shouldn’t just think about modelling opportunities simply because the nation was gripped in a pandemic – family modelling should be considered at any time. Their natural rapport really shines on camera, and a modelling assignment is a great experience that’ll be remembered for years after. It could be an item to tick off the “bucket list” for Mum & Dad; for the children, modelling may lead to an increase in confidence. Whatever you get out of modelling as a family, it’s all good – especially with Models Direct looking after you every step of the way.

Take the Sanghera family, who recently completed modelling assignments with Ideal Boilers and Sanctuary Housing. Their feedback says it all: “The day was really well organised with clear instructions. All the staff were very helpful and professional and made us all feel comfortable. Overall, it was a fantastic experience for us, made even better by the wonderful people involved.”

Family modelling could be one of the few activities allowed in the upcoming few weeks. Why not give it a go? Our dedicated coordinators are available should you have any questions.