HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – The Alabama Fashion Alliance and Inspired by Cece are collaborating to host a Kids Model Workshop for children ages 6 to 12 in Huntsville.
Industry professional, accomplished New York runway model, and Founder of Inspired by CeCe, Cecelia McLaughlin, is leading the workshop, and she joined 48 Now to share more on how the workshop will focus on confidence building, runway techniques, and fun, age-appropriate modeling skills.
McLaughlin modeled professionally for 17 years, and she spent a lot of her career in New York City. When she moved to Huntsville, she wanted to use her experience to coach and mentor young models.
“That has been a joy and a blessing to me to not only teach kids and young adults things within the modeling industry but also to find their identity in God and kind of do things His way and not the world’s way,” McLaughlin said.
The Alabama Fashion Alliance and Inspired by Cece have hosted many workshops for models, including for young adults, but this is the first modeling workshop they are hosting specifically for younger children.
McLaughlin works in the school system, and she said she loves working with kids and getting the opportunity to mentor them.
“I’m used to working with kids, and I love to work with kids. I’m glad that I get to take part of my career from both sides, from the professional side and the modeling side, and bring it into one,” McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin said this workshop is important for kids to learn more about modeling and building a foundation to see if this is something they would be interested in pursuing.
“It starts with the kids, and when you really get that foundation as a kid, and you can learn if that’s something you really are enjoying and like to do, so that’s what we’re doing here. We’re going to invite the kids in and see who really enjoys it, and we’re going to take five kids into my mentorship program, which we go further with their career,” McLaughlin said.
“I think a lot of times people think, ‘Oh, I have the look, I can just be a model,’ but there is a lot of skill that needs to be built upon and learned. Yes, some people do have raw talent, and that’s great, but being teachable and respectful and knowing how to take that criticism is a big part of it as well.”
McLaughlin said children and models of all ages need training, including runway training, training on how to pose in front of a camera, and learning what angles work best for them, so those are some of the foundational modeling skills McLaughlin will be teaching the kids at the modeling workshop.
The Kids Model Workshop will also include a mini photoshoot session, and McLaughlin will also provide general information about the modeling industry for parents if they are interested in booking their child for modeling roles.
For kids to participate in the workshop, they don’t need to have any background in modeling. McLaughlin said she wants this workshop to be fun, easygoing, and a way to teach children the basics of modeling.
“It’s really an opportunity to uplift the kids and encourage them,” McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin said she wants to encourage kids that no matter where they come from, they can pursue their dreams, similar to how she came from a small town but was still able to pursue her dreams as a model in New York City.
She said she wants to remind children who want to go into the modeling industry that they don’t have to change themselves to pursue their dream in modeling.
“In my experience, when you are your true, authentic self, that’s when doors really begin to open,” McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin said she wants children and their parents to walk away from this workshop feeling inspired and with more knowledge on how to get started with modeling, or if they have already started modeling, providing them with the next steps to book modeling gigs.
She said working as a model in New York City, which is known for its high fashion, gives her the wisdom and knowledge she needs to share her modeling experience and advice with people interested in modeling, and she hopes to share that knowledge at this workshop.
The Kids Model Workshop is accepting up to 15 kids to be a part of the workshop. The workshop is for children ages 6 to 12 years old, but McLaughlin said there is an exception for younger kids if they are able to follow directions at the workshop.
At the workshop, McLaughlin said she’ll see which kids seem to be interested in modeling, and she will offer them to join her free mentorship program, and she can further guide them with their modeling passion.
To hear more about the Kids Model Workshop and ways to get involved, the full 48 Now interview can be viewed at the top of this page.
The Kids Model Workshop is on Sunday, October 12th at 2 p.m. at Black Umbrella Studio.
To register a child for the workshop, visit the Kids Model Workshop Eventbrite page.
Cecelia McLaughlin hosts modeling workshops for many different age groups throughout the year. She also does one-on-one mentoring sessions and consultations. To connect with her, visit her website and follow her Instagram and Facebook pages.
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