Jenny Ibrahim first got in touch with With Are Models because her 11y/o daughter, Aisha, wanted to get into child modelling. Fast-forward to today, and modelling has become quite the family affair.
Jenny, her partner Victor, her son Aaron and her daughter Aisha have now all got prestigious modelling contracts, both individually and as a family.
We catch up with Jenny to find out more about her and her family’s story.
Introducing… Jenny Ibrahim On Family Modelling
WAM: Jenny, hi! Thanks so much for your time. So, your whole family are models… how did that happen?
J.I: It started because my daughter, Aisha, wanted to become a model. She’d first got the idea when she was about five, but she didn’t really have the confidence for it then. Then when she was about 8, she started talking about it again and we didn’t really know where to start.
Family Modelling
I did some research online and heard a lot of people recommending We Are Models, so I got in touch
I did some research online and heard a lot of people recommending We Are Models, so I got in touch. They asked a lot about Aisha and why she wanted to get into modelling, and then invited us into Sunbeam Studios for a day to meet the team. The whole family tagged along, and that was that.
When we arrived, the production team took some photos of Aisha but they were really keen that my son, Aaron, got in front of the camera too. They told me and my husband, Victor, that we should have images taken too, and I was really shocked. It was something I thought I’d have done when I was younger, I figured we were too old now! I loved it though, it was an amazing experience.
We Are Models gave us a list of agencies to apply to with our new portfolios and I didn’t really expect it to come to anything. I thought we’d have some really nice images to keep and that would be the end of it. Anyway, so we applied to these agencies and then they started calling us straight away and asking us all to come in.
family modelling
Victor signed to 4 agencies, Aaron to 7, Aisha to 5 and as a family we signed to 5.
In the end, Victor signed to 4 agencies, Aaron to 7, Aisha to 5 and as a family we signed to 5. I didn’t sign individually myself because I wanted to have time to look after everyone else, so I focus on the family modelling side.
WAM: Wow, so it was completely unexpected! Things really took off for you. What kind of work are you doing?
J.I: We’ve done quite a few family modelling jobs, but the biggest was probably the Sports Relief commercial through BMA. That took two days, and afterwards I kind of forgot about it. And then suddenly all my friends were calling saying we were on BBC1… Oh and in the summer we did the Big Bus Tour through Source, and that was really good fun. We were just on this tour bus going through London and seeing all the sights, and being paid to be there. It was a really beautiful day as well, so it was lovely.
The kids are doing their individual child modelling work as well as the family modelling, so that’s great. They’ve both got some really big name work and that’s the direction they want to be going in, so they’re thrilled.
Victor’s loved all the jobs he’s done too, but aside from the Big Bus Tour he’s probably enjoyed the Shell job the most. Or Lycra – he loved that too.
WAM: You’ve been massively successful as a family! Why do you think that is?
J.I: I think it’s because of the agencies we’re with. We Are Models recommended us to great agents so that’s why we’re getting great jobs. Everything we’re doing now is because of that. We always hear about other agents who are interested, but we have a really good relationship with who we’re with. We wouldn’t change, I don’t think. I always run everything through We Are Models anyway, to be honest!
Family Modelling
We’ve been so successful because of the agencies we’re with. We Are Models recommended us to great agents so that’s why we’re getting great jobs
That’s one of the things I like most about the team; they didn’t just ask us in for the day and forget about us. I ring them for anything and everything, from asking what I should wear to a casting to how to reply to certain emails. They’ve helped me all the way, and they’re still helping me, making introductions and giving advice.
They encouraged me to be proactive about social media too, which has been really important. I had concerns; I mean, you fear everything if it’s the unknown and I didn’t know much about social; but now I’m active on Instagram and Facebook. I’ve had really good feedback; the online community are so supportive.
family modelling
We Are Models has helped me all the way, and they’re still helping me constantly. I ring them for anything and everything
WAM: How has your family life changed?
J.I: Family modelling has changed us a lot! In a good way, though. You get really looked after in the industry; I haven’t had a bad experience. It is hard work though! We go to multiple castings each week, as a family and for each of the children and for each casting, you have to put in the time to research. You can’t just turn up: nothing is done by sitting around.
The minute a casting comes up you can’t be lazy; you have to embrace it. Find out the brand, the casting director, learn as much as you can about the casting. If we were put forwards for a casting for Asda clothing for example, you’d go online and find out what their style is, how their photographer likes their models, what they’re likely to be looking for from you. That’s one thing I would say: Don’t make excuses; always make sure you’re ahead of the game.
family modelling
Don’t make excuses; always make sure you’re ahead of the game. It is hard work, but it’s all about happiness and having fun. Family modelling can bring you together as a family.
WAM: Jenny, thank you so much. Do you have any final words of wisdom for other families thinking about family modelling?
J.I: Be young at heart: it’s all about happiness and having fun. It can bring you together as a family. Just follow your heart, and let who you all are inside show. It’s worth doing, even if it is hard work!
Jenny Ibrahim and her family have been massively successful in the world of family modelling… and it all started with a phone call to We Are Models. If you’re thinking about building your modelling career, get in touch with us today and we’d love to help.
