Kite Model Casting
We are on the search for our next group of mini models to help us showcase our Spring Summer 2026 collection at our upcoming photoshoot here in Dorset.
If your little one is successful, they will be invited to join us for a fun and memorable experience. They will get to wear a variety of Kite outfits and have their pictures taken by our professional photographer, Steve. We also invite some children to film some short videos to show off their favourite outfits.
You will receive:
• A voucher to spend at kite-clothing.co.uk to the value of £30 per two hour session (or part thereof).
• A digital link to the professional photographs taken of your child.
Key dates
Application deadline: 3pm Wednesday 2nd April 2025.
Casting day: Monday 7th April 2025 (or Friday 4th April 2025 if unavailable) at Kite Clothing HQ, Branksome, Poole.
Please note you'll need to attend our casting day even if your child has modelled for us before.
Photoshoots:
Toddlers/children: Thursday 8th - Tuesday 13th May 2025 in Wareham.
Our toddler/older children days will be Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th May (farm), and Saturday 17th May (beach).
In case of adverse weather, we will replace Thursday 8th / Friday 9th with Monday 12th / Tuesday 13th May, as a contingency plan.
Children are typically needed for 1-3 slots, over the selected 4 days, (which are typically 2-6 hours). Older children will be prioritised over the weekend and are not expected to come in school time.
Babies: Thursday 15th - Friday 16th May 2025 in Branksome, Poole.
Babies are typically needed for 1-2 slots, over the 2 days, (for 2 hours).
Below you will find all the information you need to apply. Please take a few moments to read this page in full, including our FAQs section at the bottom.
Firstly, you'll find the information for babies, followed by the details for toddlers and older children.
If you have children in more than one category, you can apply for them together, but please note the application requirements are slightly different regarding imagery/videos.
We welcome and encourage all applications. No experience needed... just smiles!
Baby applications
We're looking for...
• Local Poole/Dorset applications. If you live close to Dorset and are happy to travel for the casting day and shoot, please apply.
• Babies aged 4-9 months.
• Little ones wearing 3-6 months (top end) or 6-9 months (lower end) currently. (We are looking for babies who will fit and fill our 6 month clothing samples on the shoot days.)
• A mix of babies who are lying down and sitting up.
• Applicants happy to provide the required photographs so we can assess your application (see below).
• Available to attend on the two days detailed as well as the casting day.
Baby photo guidance
• Ensure your baby is wearing a sleepsuit or vest only.
• Take the photo with your back to a window so there is more natural light.
• If your baby is not yet sitting up, please provide at least one lying down photograph, taken from overhead.
• If your baby is sitting up, please take at least one lying down photo as per above, and at least one photograph of your child sitting - please crouch to your child’s level and take the photo front on.
• For scale, please stand a milk carton (ideally 4 pints) next to your baby if sitting or lie the carton down if your baby is lying down. This may seem a little odd (!), but it helps us understand your child's size to assess if they will fit our clothing samples well. (If you don't have a milk carton then please use something similar/typically found in a household e.g. an oat milk/fruit juice carton or cereal box.)
(Please note we do not need a video for baby applications.)
Toddler and older children applications
We're looking for...
• Local Poole/Dorset applications. If you live close to Dorset and are happy to travel for the casting day and shoot, please apply.
• Height is critical and normally this means children will be aged 2-3 years (toddlers) and 6-8 years (older children).
• Good listeners, able to take direction and enjoy being photographed.
• Available on the specified dates, including our casting day.
• Applicants happy to provide the required photographs so we can assess your application (see below).
• Available to attend on the two days detailed as well as the casting day.
Video guidance
• Your video must be between 30-60 seconds.
• Please show the full height of your child, as well as their face - we encourage crouching to their height in order to take the video.
• If taking the video indoors, shoot it with your back to the window and your child facing the window.
• For toddlers, please show us their personality with their face to the camera. It is really important that we can see them standing at full height.
• For older children, please ask them to share their name, age, favourite hobby and favourite subject at school.
• The video must be recent so that we can see your child as they are currently.
Model licence requirements
Please only apply if you or another parent/legal guardian of your child can attend the shoot with your child. We are unable to allow other family members or friends to bring your child due to safeguarding guidance.
If you are successful, we will need to receive a copy of your child's birth certificate or passport as well as signed licence paperwork. Due to the time frame we will be working to, we will need this quite quickly. We will provide very clear information as to what is needed and when.
Have a question? Check out the FAQs at the bottom this page. If the answer isn't there, pop an email to models@kite-clothing.co.uk.
FAQs
My child is the right age but not quite the right height, should I still apply?
It's really important that your little one is within one of our required height categories as the clothes are samples made in one size only and they need to fit beautifully. If you're unsure how to measure your child accurately, please see below. We'll also measure your child if you're invited to casting so we can confirm their measurements.
How do I measure my child accurately?
The best way to measure your child is to get them to stand against a wall with their heels touching it, then ask them to look straight ahead. Place a book or similar item flat on their head until it touches the wall and make a mark at their tallest point. Then get them to move away from the wall and using a tape measure, measure the distance from the floor to the mark. This should give you an accurate measurement.
I don't live locally; can I still apply?
If you live close to Dorset and are happy to travel to attend the casting day as well as the shoot days, then please apply and we will consider your application.
Will I hear from you if my application is unsuccessful?
Yes, we contact all applicants to let them know the outcome of their application.
What if I can't attend the casting day for any reason?
Once invited, please do let us know as soon as possible if you can't attend. If after the casting day we still have gaps in your category, we'll get in touch to arrange an ad hoc casting session with you.
I’ve noticed a few mum and baby shots on your website. Would there be an opportunity to model with my baby?
Depending on our samples for the season, we may be looking to take some twinning shots of mums and babies. When you come to casting, if this is something we are looking for, we will approach you to discuss.
What happens at a Kite photoshoot?
We want to make sure that everyone who takes part has fun and enjoys their time with us and that we get some great shots. If selected for the shoot we send you lots of information before the big day to help you and your little one prepare and we have our team on-hand to answer any queries you may have.
All of the selected children will be needed for various amounts of photos over the days they attend. We also ask some children to film short video clips (for example twirling around or jumping). There is ample rest time which can mean there is some waiting around in between shots. Once we have achieved all of the images and film clips we need with your little one, we'll let you know so you can leave. Occasionally we may need your little one for longer than the originally stated time, if this is the case, we'll discuss this with you to see if you're able to stay.
Parental involvement - We ask that parents/guardians are hands-on both at casting and the shoot. A parent/guardian must stay at all times (due to safeguarding/licencing requirements) and be available and happy to help.
Please email models@kite-clothing.co.uk if you have any questions at all. If you would like to apply, please complete our application form here. (Available during open casting call periods.)
