There’s a few things you and your child need to know before embarking:

REJECTION:  If you or your child can not stand tall in the face of rejection and criticism, this is not the field for you.  Every model, from Tyra Banks to Tyson Beckford, receives harsh comments, and does not fold.  If it is criticism with merit, you should gracefully learn from it. If not, you must still be gracious…it’s a small world, do not make enemies.

ENDURANCE:  For every 40 open calls you attend, you may receive one call-back, if you’re lucky. From every 20 call-backs, you might book one job.  This is the reality of the business.  Granted, that one job could be a Pampers campaign with a global buyout that, if invested, could fund your child’s college education, but know that that’s a long shot. Also, each casting call can take 1-5 hours.  That’s 5 hours in a “cattle-call” room, with 100 other screaming children awaiting their 30-seconds in front of the audition panel.  Each time. (Read it from a been-there, done-that mom of a one-year old veteran model of 30 shoots.)

DANGER:  Millions and millions of dollars.  That’s what the business of child modeling has become—not the actual modeling, the so-called “business” of children getting into modeling. For every one honest person in the business, there are another 100 scam artists. (Hear it from a top agency).

Start with a skeptic’s eye and follow-through with every resource available to confirm the trustworthiness of your partners in this path. Still here? Good.  If you understand the above and take it to heart every step of the way, you’re ready to embark…

Step 1: Portfolio shots:
The first thing an agency needs to see to determine your child’s modeling ability is head shots.  Simply put, these are shots of your child as a “blank canvas”.  All you need to start is one shot focused on their face, and one shot focused on their body.  Go to a photographer versed in headshots and modeling shots.  These photographers know the difference between what the agencies are seeking, and what your relatives want to see on your holiday cards.  You don’t need a big package of shots yet, and certainly don’t need “glamour” shots with make-up or props.  If someone’s trying to sell you a package with 5+ looks that costs over $1,000., run, don’t walk.  New Jersey offers some great photographers well-versed in the field, and willing to provide advice to boot. A few favorites: Sandra Nissen (Madison, NJ); Alex Kaplan (New Milford, NJ);  and Salvatore Gigante (Tappan, NY).

Step 2: Agency submissions
Wait? No modeling classes first? No runway courses? NO  You don’t need these to get into the business of child modeling  These classes and courses have popped up due to the rise in interest in modeling, but they’re part of the entire modeling business scam.  In fact, many agency bookers turn away children who appear “over-prepared”, meaning, they’ve lost that “real-child” feel and simply come across as precocious and false. 

Thanks to the internet, the majority of submissions are now online.  Simply click on the links below, and follow the guidelines for each agency.  Follow the submissions to the letter–aberrations end up in the trash can.  A few agencies also hold “open calls”, during which they’ll call in up to 1000 children, break them by age group into groups of 10, give them 30-seconds to read a prepared ad, then whittle the 1000 down to, say 30.  It’s a long day, but if you’re one of the chosen 30, you’re on your way.  Here’s a list of trusted agencies to start you on your way:
Ford
Wilhelmina Kids
Click
CESD
Bella 
B1G Models
JMM Talent

Step 3: Websites
There’s a slew of websites that offer to “host” your portfolio and send you casting calls for a monthly fee.  99% of these are worthless, and worse, dangerous.  Only two sites have surfaced as being trustworthy and industry-useful:
Casting Networks
Modelwire 

In addition to these two, another way to be seen is the reality television path, and for that there’s one site that truly works:
Reality Wanted

Additional information:

Test shoots: Once you start working the web for modeling, you’ll notice many offers for “test shoots”.  In the best of both worlds, a test shoot offers a photographer a chance to expand his/her portfolio while providing the subject with images to expand theirs. In the worst (which is, unfortunately, too often), the “test shoot” is a false set-up for sexually inappropriate photos, and worse.  If you receive such an offer, do your research.  Check the photographer’s website, ask for references, confirm usage of images to be taken, and confirm that you’ll leave the shoot with a CD in hand of images taken.  Never, ever, send your child to a test shoot unaccompanied.

So, there you have it.  The good, the bad, and the ugly.  Go into it with your eyes open, your wallet held tightly, and your beautiful child at your side, and you could be in for a wonderful ride.  Enjoy!

A big "thank-you" to Bruce Lemler of Bruce Lemler Photography for invaluable insights regarding the world of children's modeling. Mr. Lemler modeled around the world, worked as head booker alongside author Teresa Sellinger for a top NYC modeling agency, photographed for a metro-area children's modeling company, and currently runs his own photography business.