So glad to see this posting. We just have our first meeting with Audition Division coming up in two weeks. Any insight other advice for me since you have been through it all with them?
I must clarify that I am not experienced with Audition Division. I am not even in your state. It's just that this "agency" has caught my eye in several negative posts I've read on this board and on the backstage.com board and on themodelchild.com board.
The mom in the posts from a year ago says that she researched them and they are legit. I hope she is are right. I have yet to read anyone else recommending them or saying that they are legit, except on themodelchild.com board there are a couple of glowing posts that look to me like they were "planted" by an employee.
From the different posts I've read, Audition Division sounds like mainly a photography service that is trying to dress itself up as an agency. I went to their website a few months ago and there was no sign of any models that are available to hire. There were a few faces, but in my mind a legit agency will be showcasing headshots and names of all their models so that interested clients can inquire about hiring them. This is not the only red flag, there are many. Please continue to read up on them and follow your gut when you meet with them. I don't want to bash a company I don't have any true experience with, but I also don't want to see parents pay a bunch of money to a photography service that is hoodwinking them into thinking they are an agency. Go to the websites of some other agencies in your area and see if you can tell a difference.
In modeling, a 17-month-old does not not need professional headshots because babies this age change so quickly. Any legit agency that wants to sign a 17-month-old will ask you for a stack of good snapshots, and they'll use those for headshots. Every few months they'll ask you for updated ones as your baby changes and grows. At around 3 or 4 years of age, they may ask you for yearly professional headshots. Please keep this in mind when you meet with Audition Division. Don't buy a big photo package from them. Real agencies don't sell photo packages anyway, especially not to a 17-mont-old. Read the other boards about this company, and go to the websites of other agencies in your town. From what I gather, I think you will find better options to submit your child to. It should be basically free to get a child started in modeling. It was for me and my child. We didn't have to pay anything until she'd been in the business for about a year, and even then it was optional.
It would be interesting to hear from "inbligthe" (spelling?) to hear how it has been going for her kids, since she's the one who actually has experience with them. Hopefully she'll see this and post! Good luck! Let us know how it goes!
Thank you for your information. I am sorry it took me so long to get back on here. I do appreciate your time and thoughts. No word from "inbligth". I guess we will see how it goes tomorrow and use our best judgement.
I work as a children stylist and will like to give some advice,stay away from people approaching you at the mall or having massive casting calls looking for NEW talent,they are actually looking for stage moms who are looking for a dream agency that will do all the work for them an turn their child into a star,that is why they offer pictures,cd,websites,comp cards,portfolios and even classes and think about it even if they charge $150 for the whole thing times 25 = $3750 if they do it every Sat comes out to $ 15000,they contact a wanna be photographer who by the way has offer his services to them for free because he as well is trying to break into the business and needs to build his portfolio,that is the PHOTOGRAPHER you will get,if he is working for free I doubt he has the latest photoshop program and computer,do pictures need photoshop? yes they do,they need styling,and they need to be updated every six months,with a little baby you don't need a lot of pictures,you just need a couple of great pictures,once you find a children's photographer and you get those three great pictures,you get generic comp cards with your child's name and birthday on it ( ONLY ) get a listing of your local model agencies with children's division and send each agency two cards ,if they are interested they will call you back within 4 weeks,don't call them,believe me if they need you they will call you because they will make money if you do,put a note inside with your contact information,some parents say that you only need snapshots of the kids and yes the good agencies will advice for that but I have seen bookers flipping through snapshots and a professional pics will always get the most attention,that of course is if the professional picture are taken by a children's photographer,who knows how to keep a kid looking like a kid on the pictures,good agencies will NEVER ask for money to represent your child or for getting their comp cards,they may suggest photographers that they like but at the end is up to you to research them and ask for sample of their work before you book them,remember that kids grow fast the first 3 years of their life,hair length,new teeth,shoe size,weight and length,if an agency wants to represent your child it is your responsibility to update their sizes via email to the agency and here is why,say they are casting for a clothing catalogue,girls size 2 t ,22 lbs with hair below their shoulder and they send your daughter's picture cause the last pictures you sent to the agency she looked like that so you are a match,but over the summer you went and got your daughter a hair cut and is now to her chin,you go to the casting but never hear from them then you wasted your time and is not the agency's fault so that is why is so important to keep their pics and sizing updated. best of luck
