Teen guideAge 13For you and a parent
Modeling at 13
Agencies do sign teenagers, and they do it with a parent or guardian involved from the first message. This guide is text only: we don’t check photos, give scores or sell anything to anyone under 18.
The rules
What applies at 13
- 01Kim Dawson (Dallas) holds open calls for new faces aged 14–22.[3]
- 02
- 03Kering moved to 18+ for the models it casts as adults from 2020; LVMH stayed at 16, with night-work limits and a chaperone for 16–18.[19]
- 04CFDA guidelines say models under 18 don't work past midnight during New York Fashion Week.[20]
- 05In New York, print and runway models under 18 count as child performers: they need a Child Performer Permit, 15% of earnings goes into a trust account, and under-16s need a chaperone.[23]
- 06
- 07Elite Model Look's minimum age is 14, and under-18s need parental permission.[33]
- 08Heffner Management (Seattle) takes applicants aged 14 and up, and accepts phone photos.[5]
- 09Kids and teen divisions such as Wilhelmina Kids & Teens take submissions from a parent, covering newborns through teens.[11]
- 10UGC platforms such as Billo accept creators from 18, so paid UGC work waits until then.[27]
- 1130 agencies in our directory state a parent or guardian rule for under-18 applicants on their own pages, for example Elite Model Management (US), Wilhelmina and Next Management.
Elite Model Management (US) · Wilhelmina · Next Management · DNA Model Management · Otto Models · Photogenics · Nomad Management · Kim Dawson Agency
Before you send anything
- A parent or guardian completes or approves the application. Many agencies say so on their own pages.
- Send only plain digitals in fitted everyday clothes. Never send swimwear or lingerie photos.
- Real agencies never charge you to apply, and never ask for payment to “secure your spot”.
Read the full guide for teens and parents and the scam checklist. Other ages: 14 · 15 · 16 · 17