Kids Modeling Portfolio in Mumbai

Most places we travel in India, people are trying to take pictures of the kids. I figured since we are living in Mumbai, India’s creative hub and the center for the Bollywood film industry, why not have a go at child modeling?

My daughter Arianne, age 4, was originally more interested than her older brother. Although now that he’s realized he can get paid for modeling, he also wants to give it a try. I decided to have her do a portfolio shoot so that I could gauge if she would be able to follow instructions in the studio and get some good pictures. However, some model agencies in Mumbai are happy to take non-professional pictures to get started, so doing a portfolio is not a 100% must do.

She did a great job, with only one tantrum (about her hairstyle) and a few small hangups such as insisting mermaids cannot wear shoes and they must “swim” not walk. Every picture she took had to be part of a story she was making up in head. For example, the boa that went with this mermaid costume was her “seaweed power.”

Arianne insisted to have her hair down and blowing in the wind for this outfit. She also wanted to jump off a white wooden box the entire time. In spite of a slow start, she got really into and was showing up lots of action and different poses. The photographers were making her laugh and getting her to try different things.

By the fourth outfit, the diva Arianne had emerged. She wanted to match her hairstyle to the colors on her dress, and then she insisted to play “I Love Rock N’ Roll” while she played air guitar in front of the blue backdrop. The only tough part about this was that she had to stand under a light, and she just did not want to stay in one place. I tried telling her the light was an umbrella and it was raining, and she replied, “Well I just want to jump in the puddles!”

Overall, it was a fun experience getting Arianne’s kid modeling portfolio done in Mumbai. Photographer Sandesh Jayakar and the team at The Bombay Studio were absolutely fantastic. They were so patient and encouraging with her, and they really got some wonderful shots. If you’re interested in their kids’ and teens’ portfolio packages, see TBS Kids. This is not a sponsored or comped post; I am just really happy with their photography and service. Arianne is booked for her first paid shoot tomorrow, let’s see how she does!