Where you've seen her: In a SingTel TV commercial, Poh Heng print ads and recurring ads for McDonald's. Is now a child actress with MediaCorp.
SHYE-ANNE BROWN, 5
Started modelling: Last year
Descent: Chinese-British
Agency: Impact
Where you've seen her: On the cover of Motherhood magazine, in print ads for John Little and Singapore Tourism Board, as well as in fashion shows for Takashimaya department store and Paragon shopping centre
NICHOLAS WONG,7
Started modelling: At five
Descent: Chinese Singaporean
Agency: Impact
Where you've seen him: In print ads for Sunshine Bread, Singapore Airlines and UOB Privilege Banking, and in fashion shows for Takashimaya department store
MORGAN GRIFFITHS, 7
Started modelling: At four
Descent: Half-New Zealander, one quarter British and one quarter Sri Lankan
Agency: Diva
Where you've seen her: In print ads for department stores Metro, Takashimaya and Tangs' 75th anniversary this year
SAVANNAH HOLBORN, 8
Started modelling: At two
Descent: Chinese-British
Agency: Impact
Where you've seen her: On covers of magazines like Motherhood and Parents World, in print ads for John Little and Singapore Tourism Board and in fashion shows for Takashimaya department store and Soo Kee Jewellery.
So Junior wants to be a model
SO YOU think your child is the most beautiful one in the world. But if he or she has a bubbly personality to boot, and is able to take instructions well, you can get your cute tot to strut her stuff in front of a camera and earn some extra cash.
At least three agencies here have child models on their books. Big names are Impact, Diva and Phantom.
Getting started
YOU can start by e-mailing your kids' photos to agencies.
Or take your kid to any of several modelling courses around. Impact offers modelling and catwalk courses for kids aged four to 12.
For about $200 to $300, kids learn how to pose for the camera and do the catwalk for one hour every week for six weeks.
Another way is to walk around in malls a lot. Agencies sometimes send out scouts to spot talents outside. You can also browse agencies' websites for more information.
Impact, which specialises in kid models, advertises in parenting magazines and holds kids model search events in various malls annually.
Signing up
IF YOU want to sign up with an agency, be prepared to pay annual portfolio fees and a cut of each paycheck to the agency.
A portfolio is a book of styled pictures that the agency shows to clients when recommending your kids for jobs.
It usually costs at least $200 and has to be renewed yearly, or when there are changes in your kid's appearance, like a change in hair length or style.
You should not have to pay extra for model 'cards' once the portfolio is done.
Most agencies take a commission of between 20 and 35 per cent of each job your child gets.
An agency has the right not to sign your child up if it feels that she - or you, if you are a demanding parent - is not suitable for modelling.
Potential pitfalls
THE modelling business is a cut-throat one, and agencies say you have to manage your expectations if your child does not get many jobs.
For example, if your child requires more than 30 minutes to warm up in front of the camera, she will likely not be popular with clients, says Impact.
Also, make sure your kid is not exploited. Overseas, some kids have appeared in skimpy and provocative clothing. In Singapore however, there are strict guidelines about employing child models for photoshoots or films.
The Singapore Code of Advertising Practice states that 'advertisements addressed to or featuring children should not exploit their credulity, loyalty, vulnerability or lack of experience' and 'should contain nothing that is likely to result in their physical, mental or moral harm'.
Agencies too, have strict controls over what jobs their child models take. Diva Models, for example, says it will turn down clients if it thinks their ad concepts are too sexy or unsuitable for children.
Mrs Mavies Holborn, whose daughter Savannah, eight, has been modelling for six years, says while her daughter has on occasion been caked in make-up, she always still looks like a child.
'I've never been in a situation where she is dressed too sexily. The agency is good at ensuring that,' she adds.
