My son turns 2 in june and I'd really like to start him with commercial and print/modeling work. we live in philadelphia a two hour drive from new york city. I have no problem traveling back and forth. I just need some advise as to which direction I should be going in as far as starting is concerned. I'm not sure how different it is for just commercial and print work rather than film/tv and commercial and print.

Will he need a work permit for pa and ny?

I guess what I'm trying to ask is what do I do to get my son an agent and/or manager for only commercial and print work?

Any help is greatly appreciated

Yes he needs a work permit, but is it going to be worth it for you to drive all that way for a job that pays a few hundred dollars or so if you book, let alone what you'll spend on go sees/auditions? If you read through all the threads you'll find info on agents etc. Have you looked in Philly?

While you may have no problem traveling back and forth, keeping an almost 2-year-old in the car for FOUR hours for a 7 minute go-see is cruel.

IF he books it - it will be EIGHT hours in the car for $2-300?! Not. good.

I think you need to learn more about what this business entails before you consider getting your child involved. OR seriously consider moving.

eight hour drive to where? i've been to nyc many times it only take me two hours to get there.

i am looking in my area as well i'm actually waiting to hear back from Mary Claro.

what tuff meant is 8 hours total.

also 2 hours gets you into the city from phili -- its another 45 minutes of traffic to get around the city,keep in mind most auditions are held between 2:30 and 6:00. During the busy season you could be doing this 3-5 times a week and still not book anything!!! I would definately consider starting in your area.

thanks the only agency i have found in my area is mary claro do you know of others?

You can buy ross reports, available on line, and look for what's in your area.

I have twins the same age as your son and it is a really tough age for modeling/acting. They are so hit/or miss. Yesterday, we were at a pampers audition and if the child did not happily take the casting directors hand and go into the room with NO hesitation, he would not see the child. It felt awful, it seemed like half of the people there were sent home without their kids being seen. I could not imagine driving 4+hrs, expense of gas, parking and tolls, just for a gosee, audition or even for most jobs.
That being said, I know of a lot of people with young kids who do it. It's up to you. It really depends on the amount of flexibility you have and how much $$ you are willing to spend for your child to have this opportunity. There really is not a lot out there commercial wise for toddlers. We have had maybe 3 auditons in the last year. It seems to get busy once kids are 5. There is print work, but there is also a lot of kids out there going for the same jobs. Big calls like the gap will see 600 kids 0-24 months, callback 200 and then pick 15. Good luck in your decision!

Also check out Baby Boomers in Philly. I have heard they are good.

Do a google search for talent and modeling agencies in Philly. There are at least a dozen. There are also some in Washington, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey etc which are active in the Phila. area.

Thanks guys for the help i really do appreciate it. ive googled for a few hours this morning and finally came across a page with agencies in my area all except one represents toddlers so i'll be submitting him to those. i'll keep you all updated on how things go. I'm taking some nw pics of him tomorrow so I can send the submissions off by end of next week.

question: I dont have a digital camera is buying a kodak throw away good enough? i dont mind paying to have reprints since it doesnt cost too much.

i'll be using the 27 exposures just for this purpose and choosing from them.

Hey NJ mom to 3, I was at that pampers audition. My little guy went right in but I did feel bad for the families the director wouldn't see. I think alot of the little ones were freaked by stripping down to diapers. perhaps it reminded them of the doctors office. Definitely think he did the right thing not forcing the kids but it would have been tough to make a long trip only to have my poor kid get totally freaked out.