I feel like I’ve worked my entire  life for this very moment, I feel at  home……..Home Sweet Home!     For the past 17 years, I have been  involved in pageantry in every facet and  will stay involved for the rest of my life.        My business partner, Shane  SantaCroce, works as a Managing  Director for a prominent South Florida  consumer protection Law Office and is a  highly sought after and nationally  merited sales trainer and motivational  speaker. Together we partnered our  efforts to establish SantaCroce Model  Group (SMG).        Finally, our chance to bridge the gap  between pageantry and modeling, use  children with pageant experience,  acting/modeling experience or cultivate  new talent altogether! Our first step was  to seek out established or new  talent/children nationwide. Although  our office is located in South Florida,  we are better able to service our clients  with talent/children throughout the  United States.        In making certain, we are showcasing our talent/children in the most marketable manner, these are the 10 steps/guidelines SMG suggests all actors and models (or parents of the child actor/models) follow in order to most effectively work in the very competitive world of acting and modeling. 1.   A simple clean headshot goes a long way. Children, typically, do not need a portfolio or composite card. Children are growing, changing, or losing teeth and it is important that the child look like the picture we are presenting to potential clients. Please absolutely no retouching on any of your child’s images. 2.   Provide the agent with a telephone number where you can be reached at all hours of the day and night. It is a dynamic industry; you must be ready to work at all times. You may need to establish support from others too; it definitely takes a community to work as a child actor/model. 3.   Start to work on monologues with your child, it will never hurt! The child will work with parent or a coach to memorize lines, show expression, develop eye contact, sound REAL, and beat the fear and nervousness of the audition process. 4.   Wear age appropriate clothing with no logos or brand names, keep it simple. Understand what colors look best on your child and work around that color scheme. We suggest a bright POP color and simple short, jean, skirt, or pants. 5.  Allow the child to do the talking. Parents, it   is best to take a back seat at the audition. Keep in mind  that the audition truly begins when he/she walks in the  door, even in the waiting area. 6.   Be willing to take extra work or low pay/no pay work initially to build resume, child’s experience, and confidence level. 7.   Meet other parents who are also pursuing the acting/modeling career and network with them. They may hear of other opportunities or vice versa that is not right for their child, but perfect for yours! It is always beneficial to surround yourself with good people for support, guidance, and friendship. 8.   It is important to build relationship with agency, call in once a week, check-in, inform agent if you will be out of town or child is simply not available. 9.   Not every agent is a fit for your child, you, as a family, must feel comfortable with your agency. As you begin, you most likely will multi list, but eventually you will figure out what agent is a match with your child. 10.  Lastly, keep your information at agency updated, attend any workshops for you to become more informed and better suited for a successful acting and modeling career for your child! Michael Galanes, National Director, SantaCroce Model Group It is important that you feel like you are at Home Sweet Home with your agent. Shane adds: “You know, with 4 children of my own, I approach this new endeavor, SantaCroce Model Group, with a different perspective. I understand that without the acting and modeling, your plates are already full. How will you dedicate time and energy when you think there is none left in the course of a day? What if your job is not flexible to allow time off to attend castings with your child? Who do you trust? When do we throw in the towel? When do you take the next move?  To all of those questions, I have one answer: TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS! I was never given a manual to raise my children, but I am careful, make the best decisions I thought were right at the time, and always knew someone to ask. We hope at SantaCroce Model Group, we are that person or that you have an agent who you know has the best interest of your child at heart! It is an amazing ride, just be ready to enjoy it.” Shane SantaCroce, Owner, SantaCroce Model Group Michael Galanes, Agency Director SantaCroce Model Group