How to Find Out if Your Child or Teen Has What it Takes to be a Model….
Dear Parent,
My name is Jani Bryson, founder of the Color Coalition Photo and Modeling club. I am a successful commercial microstock photographer based in Kansas City. I shoot regularly on speculation for advertisers both large and small around the world. My work has been picked up by major corporations and my images have appeared in major publications around the world. I often see my work used for book covers, billboards, television commercials and web advertising.
I work with hundreds of real people models each year. I will tell you frankly that modeling is not for everyone, and not everyone who aspires to be a model is successful. But through the Color Coalition Photo and Modeling Club, your child can participate in a photo experience unlike any other. One that will reward them with experience and confidence in front of the camera as well as some of the most powerful and effective promotional tools a young model can have. The Color Coalition is not a modeling agency, but rather a club that allows young aspiring models a chance to work in front of a camera, and learn valuable modeling and photography skills.
I know that you want the very best for your child.
And if that involves modeling or acting, participation in the Color Coalition can help your child gain experience and build a strong portfolio – one that may help your child stand out above all the others for the most desirable casting calls, “go-sees” and modeling jobs. But, more than that, membership in the Color Coalition offers an experience for your child. A fun, no-risk introduction to modeling without expensive long term commitments.
Is your child cut out to be a model? The best way to find out is to let them try it in a safe, non-threatening, fun environment.
How to protect the safety of your child.
Do you worry about accidentally getting your child involved in something that’s not on the up-and-up? Falling into one of the many modeling scams out there? Or even worse, something that’s not appropriate for a child or teenager? I know I do. As a mom, I take the protection of my children’s safety and self-esteem very seriously. Awhile back I watched a “Dateline” episode uncover the scams by popular talent agencies, and it made me sick. So many times, I’ve heard the stories of young models and their parents spending ridiculously large sums of money in the hopes of making it big as a model, only to learn that they were being deceived. Modeling scams are everywhere these days and parents must beware.
Here are what several parents have to say about their photo experience with me:
Jani Bryson is an outstanding professional photographer. Her standards are impeccable and her photographs are some of the best you will see in this industry. Her sessions are fun for kids of all ages, and during each sitting, Jani will boost your child’s self confidence and make them feel truly special! You will cherish her photographs and your children will always remember this amazing experience!
–K. Kime, Overland Park, Kansas
Jani-Just wanted to thank you for being so professional during our photo shoot with you. You made the kids feel so comfortable. I loved the way you encouraged them to tap into interests…The way you guided each of them truly allowed their personalities to shine through. The pictures reflect your creative spirit and energy. Bravo!
–A. Brown, Leawood, Kansas
Jani-We loved working with you! It was a positive, fun and so easy! As a parent I really appreciated your concern for comfort and safety. The pictures are awesome too. Thanks Jani!
–A. Lindsey, Leawood, Kansas
Discover what successful models in Kansas City already know.
At this point, you may be thinking, “I think that my child has what it takes to be a successful model, but what can I expect from modeling in Kansas City?” Well, the truth is that unless you are in one of the primary or secondary markets for modeling (i.e.: New York, Chicago, LA) your opportunity for print work will be rare. (This will make it difficult to collect tearsheets for your portfolio, but we’ll talk about this a little later). Most models in Kansas City can expect the rare print or catalog work, promos, fashion and trunk shows and if they’re lucky a little television. And, a very few do make it big. But, perhaps the largest reward modeling can offer any model in our local market is the opportunity to gain confidence and experience, work in a glamorous, exciting environment, having the time of their life, and possibly earning a little extra cash along the way.
Another question I hear frequently is whether or not to sign with an agency. Honestly, I’m not sure there’s a good answer to this. I frequently work with models who have signed with agencies, and lately a large percentage of them have been telling me that the casting calls and jobs are fewer and less frequent than ever before. Blame it on the economy? The fact is, the busiest models today have been taking matters into their own hands – uncovering their own “go-sees” and castings, and winning their own modeling jobs. Even those with non-exclusive agency agreements. It seems tough times call for creative measures.
These models can do this because they have experience on photoshoots, powerful comp cards and killer books. So, what makes a “killer book” and how can you get one for your child? Optimally, your book should include a variety of powerful photos as well as a collection of “tearsheets” or examples of prior print experience.
One secret to results.
After participating in several photo experiences with me through the Color Coalition, you should have a well-rounded collection of powerful photos. But, what about tearsheets? Collecting tearsheets is difficult, and usually comes after a model has gained a great amount of experience.
Fortunately, with every one of my photo experiences, whether with a new model or an experienced model, I test market the best results to companies that use these kinds of images in their advertising and promotion. Many of my models who have participated in a photoshoot with me have captured powerful tearsheets to add to their portfolios.
My images, most including local models, have appeared in well-circulated publications like:
- - Entertainment Weekly
- – Teen Vogue
- – CosmoGirl.com
- – Better Housekeeping
- – Kiwi
- – Inspiration Magazine
They have been used in promotions by:
- - Sears
- – Panasonic
- – Lady Footlocker
- – Pepperidge Farms
- – Gerber
- – Sprint
They appear on book covers for many education books including:
- “Chicken Soup for the Soul Pre Teens Talk”
They’ve even appeared in local publications such as:
- - 435 South
- – Spaces
- – KC Parent and
- – The Sun Newspapers
Here’s what one mom has to say about the exposure my photographs have earned for her daughter:
My daughter and I worked with Jani Bryson on a shoot together. Jani’s warm and enthusiastic nature made my shy daughter open up her imagination to capture some amazing pictures.
The exposure we gained from that one shoot has been unbelievable, everyday we can find the work that was done in various locations around the world.
I would recommend Jani Bryson photography to anyone who is in need of fantastic, quality images. We have made a friend for life in the photography business and we can not wait to work with Jani again.
–Janet & Kalie, Olathe, Kansas
It’s not just parents that are happy with my photo experience. One professional model won “Best Photo” in the Stars at Sea competition by International Model and Talent Network using photos from her photo experience with me. Kodak judged my work and awarded me the prestigious “Kodak Gallery Award”. In addition, the Kansas Professional Photographers Association awarded me First Place for Children’s Portraiture. With references like these, you can be confident that I will provide your child with the very best photo experience available.
Through participation in the Color Coalition Photo and Modeling club, your child will have an opportunity to obtain:
- Firsthand experience in front of the camera including professional tips for working in front of the camera — this will begin to immediately strengthen your child’s confidence and modeling skills;
- The potential to gather tearsheets for their portfolio – powerful marketing tools that can help your child land more castings and paid modeling jobs;
- Personal photoshoots –to achieve the variety of images that will be important to the success of your portfolio;
- Wardrobe consultations so that your child’s book stands out with casting directors;
- A rare opportunity to get your images into the market for exposure and potential tearsheets—powerful reinforcing content for your book;
- The ability to obtain highly discounted professional images for your book which will allow you to build a set of promotional tools stronger and more effective than those of your competition;
- Discounts on professional layout and design of your comp card;
- Discounts on professionally printed, 5” x 7” comp cards;
- Reasonably priced, high quality t-shirts and other club branded items that your child can wear proudly
- In the future, the club may also offer online portfolio management
The goal of the Color Coalition Photo and Modeling Club is to offer every member a chance to participate in several photoshoots and/or photography workshops throughout the year. The photoshoots will require a model release, as the best images will be test marketed through my stock agencies. The best news is that through June of 2011, in exchange for your child’s modeling time, and the completed releases, monthly club membership dues are waived. So, there is no cost for your child to participate in the club, although you will have the ability to purchase discounted prints, comp cards, club merchandise and tickets to specialty workshops.
The Color Coalition Photo and Modeling Club is a great way for your youth, ages 4-18, to try modeling to see if it is for them, to gain experience and get better at what they do, to make friends, and to possibly see themselves in print or on television.
I hope you will consider enrolling your child in the Color Coalition Photo and Modeling Club. It may just be a life changing experience for them and for you!
Sincerely,
Jani Bryson
The Face Photographer™