For those who have been in the biz for a while question on the money. We haven't gotten our photosheet done yet and so have only been on 2 auditions. My question before we go full-force with this - will we break even?

Figure 4x a year getting pics/new photosheets at this age (I have triplet babies that are 9 months) = $375 x 4 = $1500 - fuel every time for auditions probably $25 at least from San Clemente to LA - I've read it takes 50 auditions to get one job 50 x $25 = $1250 in fuel. $1250 + $1500 = $2750 in raw costs not including time of course - would we make that in a year with taking hopefully 3 babies to auditions (2 girls and 1 boy so I'm sure not always are they looking for boys and girls)?

Also do pro pics help babies/kids get more auditions/more work that you've seen?

I'm a business owner and I'm always trying to evaluate my ROI. I would of course LOVE to see my beautiful babies in print/on TV/film it would be sooooo fun and awesome - but is it crazy to think we'd make $3,000+ a year doing this so at least I'm somewhat breaking even? Or even more so I can put money aside for college x 3?

Thank you in advance for your feedback/advice!

Kids really do not need professional headshots until they are 2. Our agent is huge on booking multiples, and they don't require headshots until then. You should ask why is your agent requiring you to get these photos when they are only 9 mos. What are you going to do, get new ones every 3 mos? Once they are 2, you only get them once a year so after booking one gig you may be even, and anymore go to the gas account.

lol...so this is the raw economical side of this business you looking at I see ) But I agree you absolutely have to consider this part as well! I would say yes you would break even and even more. Twins and triplets are on a high demand especially in the movie business. I am not sure how much you would get for a movie but for a commercial with one kid you would get $500-750 per day and you have 2 more for back up. So if you book only one commercial you can actually make $1500 without even knowing that they use it or not. If the commercial airs you would get another $500-750. Print it's less pay bur for example if they book two of your kids for a shoot they pay $100/hour - $1000-$1200/ day. Of course there is a 10-20% agent fee and of course the taxes. We are on the east side but I never heard that it takes 50 go-see to book a job. At least I don't know anybody who went to 50 and didn't book anything..that's a really high number.I would say more like 5-7 and it also can be that they book every second or every single job. Also you do not need professional pictures of babies up to 4 years! so just take a snapshot of them! That's 10cents x 10 picsx3 = $3 dollars I would try and see what happens...go to a couple of go-sees and if they don't book anything after the 15th than question yourself again.

Thanks for the replies - the agent isn't requiring a pro shoot but you have to put together a photosheet and I'm not Photoshop proficient - when you use a pro photographer they do sheet for you. Maybe I'll try both myself... I've tried a few times and gotten only a handful of good shots - I'm not the most patient person and I have to hand it to baby photographers - they have a hard job!!!

My trio is fraternal not identical so they are not as in high demand - I just happen to have 3 babies the same age - they really don't look too much alike.

Ok good suggestion - re-evaluate at 15 gosees and just try this out!!

I agree you do not need professional shots. My ds is 4 and dd is 2 and we send in snapshots every 2 months or so to our agency. Just take clear photos, not much in the background, plain clothing and try to get them looking at the camera.

We are only in print, and pay is usually 100/hr for one or two hours...not much. Then agency fees and it is less.

A small percentage of people break even from print modeling and probably the same from commercial, although a commercial has the potential to bring in a lot more income if your child is the lead. Take a look at all the models each agency has versus the jobs one goes on a gosee for. That's why for most parents and children it's a hobby(a very expensive one)!

Que - I have a question - what do you mean by take a look at the models each agency has versus the jobs one goes on a gosee for....

Just a little confused - thanks!!!

What I mean by "look at the roster of the agencies" There a lot more children modeling than there are jobs available, the majority of children in the business aren't going to break even or make a profit.

Why would people do this if they didn't make income? I'm serious. I know that I wouldn't do it if I thought I were losing lots of money just for bragging rights. There are other things for my kid to do and us as a family for time. I actually assumed most who came in from out of town did it because they booked a lot and at least made some income for their kid's college account.

Hi NYCGAL. For us, it's a way to break DD out of her shell. She used to be deathly shy and very apprehensive around anyone she didn't know well, even to relatives. Going to go sees and auditions and shoots is a way for her to have a fun time in new environments around different people and it's really helped to open up her personality.

Shirley that is interesting because as a baby my daughter was very outgoing and then got very shy and clingy in the toddler years so we decided not to do this at that time. We put her in a musical theater class at 5 and she came out of her shell there - similar. Now at 6 it's totally different. I was very shy and never could do this - my mother tried because my sister did commercials and the like and it would have made me even more insane. So you never know what works!

NYCGAL - If we start going into the negative and it becomes too expensive a hobby, I'll keep musical theater in mind

Triplemommyoc- do not pay to get professional photos done. The kids are too young and they change quickly. Take good snapshots and if you want there are photographers that will make you a photo sheet for about $50. I would give it a try because multiples book but you need to have backup sitters and help for shoots. If all 3 babies book a job you will most likely need 3 adults on set to help. Maybe only 2 but definitely not just one. The pay can be really good if the kids book. It is worth trying but it can be a LONG drive. I drive from Mission Viejo and my kids are old enough to entertain themselves. They payoff can be a college fund.

Hi tripletmommyoc, we have been doing this in NY for a couple months and with her bookings I have been able to save money for my dd after what I have dished out for gas, tolls, parking etc. Not a crazy amount of savings but it's something. I only have 1 baby so I would think with 3 you could do really well but it all depends on how often they book, how far you are from the go sees, what they book etc. I guess the only advice that I can give is, go full force and see how it goes, there are so many variables that you can
speculate all day about but until you do it
you really won't know. You never know you may
book a movie for all 3 of them and blow all your planning out the water! Good luck and all the best!

PS don't pay for professional photos. My dd is 9 mths and all the agency wants is snapshots until she is 3. I just use my iPhone and I am able to take great shots without much effort and the only cost is printing them...20 new shots every two mths.