A guide to baby modelling

You’re his mum, so you know your baby is gorgeous but is that enough to get him on the front cover of a magazine? M&B answers your questions about the world of baby modelling...

Since he was born you’ve been inundated with compliments. ‘What a beautiful smile, fantastic eyes, cute button nose. If you had £1 for every time someone told you he should be a model you’d be a very rich – as well as proud – mum. But what makes one beautiful baby a cover star while another is turned away. And is your baby really good enough to make it in the competitive world of mini modelling?

What kind of babies make good models?

‘They have to be photogenic,’ says Sharon Obee, director of the Truly Scrumptious baby modelling agency, in Islington, London ‘and very smiley, with with clear skin and bright eyes. But we’re not just after ‘pretty’ babies. We also want quirky babies with plenty of character – they’ve got to have a sparkle about them. It’s also about temperament – they’ve got to be good natured and sociable to put up with meeting lots of strangers.’

What kind of work could my baby get?

Wherever you see a baby you need a baby model. So he could appear anywhere from a national TV ad for nappies, to in-store advertising posters (think Baby Gap, Mothercare, Debenhams) for baby clothes.

There’s also the chance to play a starring role in baby care books, be on the front cover of baby magazines (just like M&B) or on packaging for baby toys or baby medicine.

Isn’t it expensive? I thought agencies needed to see professional photos

No. You don’t need to splash out on a portfolio of expensive photographs – two up-to-date snapshots will do. You’ll need a close-up of your baby’s face and another full-length shot – and keep it simple – no food, toys or bright clothes.

If the agency agrees to take your baby on you’ll pay a joining fee of around £100-150. Reputable agencies only pick babies who they know will be snapped up for work. You will also pay around £80 for professional photographs, taken by the agency’s own official photographer, in order to go into the agency’s model book. The agency’s clients use this to choose which baby they want for each shoot. Most shoots are based in London so it’s more practical if you live within or near the M25.

What happens at a shoot?

The photographer or director sets up the shot they want, and as well as looking at things like light and background, they’ll have a stylist who will decide exactly how your baby looks, too. Most shoots take around two to three hours but TV ads can take longer to film – up to five hours (it’s against the law for a children under five to ‘work’ longer than that).  All this will be done to fit around your baby – so there’s plenty of time for him to eat, sleep and take breaks.

What if my baby won’t stop crying?

Don’t worry – if your baby has been booked you’ll still get paid. For all big TV commercials or ad campaigns they book understudies – or ‘back-up babies’ – in case their star throws a wobbly.

How much money will my baby make?

Sadly, not enough to retire on, The industry rate for babies per hour is £50 and agencies take 25 per cent of that – so even the most hard-working baby will probably only earn around £2000-£3000 a year.

It works for me

Sarah Davies’ son Owen and Katherine Arden’s daughter Caitlin were spotted by baby model talent scouts at a Mother & Baby Roadshow

Sarah Davies, 33, from Swanscombe, Kent is mum to Owen, 12 months: ‘I was standing near the baby modelling stall when a woman from the agency picked out Owen. I wasn’t sure at first because of the cost – what if nobody picked him? I needn’t have worried – Owen has done 12 jobs and earned about £1,200. That includes stuff for Debenhams, a catalogue, a baby vitamin tonic and a website – so my mum’s been able to show all her friends in America.

I think his popularity is down to his big, brown eyes and cute smile – and he finds it great fun. I was so pleased the other day when I spotted him in a magazine. I just wanted someone to come up to me and ask me why I was buying four copies.’

Katherine Arden, 28, from Sydenham, London is mum to 9-month-old Caitlin: ‘Getting signed up with the agency was a bit of a mistake – I wasn’t really queuing for the baby modelling stand but for something else – but when we got to the front the women on the stand said Caitlin was exactly what they were looking for. I was thrilled. I think they picked her because she has lots of reddish brown hair and slight, delicate features. She’s also a placid baby and sociable as well, which is great because she’s enjoyed all the attention. Caitlin’s done about five jobs including Mothercare, M&S and the packaging for Huggies nappies in Eastern Europe. I think she’s probably made about £600 so far. For me it’s not about the money – it’s more of a vanity thing. I think my daughter is beautiful and it’s nice to see other people do too.’

Useful contacts

Truly Scrumptious: 020 8888 4204  www.trulyscrumptious.co.uk

Elisabeth Smith: 020 8861 1880 or www.elisabethsmith.co.uk

Scallywags: 020 8553 9999 or www.scallywags.co.uk

MOT Junior: 01442 863918 or www.motjunior.com