Submissions for the 27th annual DFWChild Model Search have closed. Thank you to all who participated. Stay tuned for our 2026 issues covers to see who the winning cover kids, as they are selected throughout the year. If/when we select your child for a cover shoot, we will reach out to you directly. We will reopen our annual model search in summer 2026.
For more modeling resources, don’t miss our industry insiders’ tips on how to break into child modeling and a list of local modeling agencies that work with children, and more exclusive content:
Our annual model search gives local kids ages 0–10 years an opportunity to be selected to grace the covers of our DFWChild 2026 issues. To submit your child, submit their information and upload a photo of them. We’ll use those photos to make souvenir photos for you (More on that below!) and select our 2026 cover kids.
Entry fee: $25
This fee also includes a custom digital souvenir magazine cover for each child. Why do we charge a fee to participate in the model search? We use the proceeds from the model search to help bring you the content that you love to read across all of our platforms.
Our partner: Kim Dawson Agency
Not only does your child have an opportunity to be chosen for a DFWChild cover, but we also partner with Dallas-based Kim Dawson Agency, whose modeling scouts will be reviewing each child’s photo submission. The kids division team will be picking their favorites to bring in for a one-on-one interview and a chance at professional representation in the child modeling industry.
Photo requirements
• Submit a great, clear photo of your child—one where we can immediately see their face. No hats, sunglasses, costumes, face paint, makeup or food on their faces. The more clearly we can see them, the more likely they may be chosen for a cover.
• No need for professional photos—smartphone photos are OK.
• Only one child per photo. Please no photos with siblings, twins or multiples.
• Photo specifications:
-Vertical/portrait photos preferred; horizontal/landscape accepted
-File size: 1MB minimum; 10 MB maximum
-Ideal image resolution: 300 DPI
-Photo file types accepted: .jpg, .png or .pdf
Who we’re looking for: Local kids
The model search is open to children who live in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area. We are a local magazine and want to highlight our local kids, so our focus is on those who live in the Dallas-Fort area counties where we distribute our print magazines (Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant).
Please note that if chosen for a cover, you must be willing to drive to Dallas for the photoshoot.
Souvenir photo
As a thank you for participating in our virtual model search, you will receive a digital image in JPG showing your child on a special cover of DFWChild. This image will be emailed to you 2 to 4 weeks after your model search submission. Once you receive that souvenir image, feel free to print that out for a keepsake, to frame, or to use in in their modeling portfolio.
All entrants will receive this souvenir magazine cover regardless of whether they are ultimately selected to appear on a 2026 magazine cover. Please add modelsearch@dfwchild.com to your email contacts so that it does not go to your junk/spam folder.
How will I know if we won?
• Throughout the year, our associate publisher Lauren Niebes (more about her below) will select children from those who have entered our DFWChild Model Search.
• Please do not reach out to inquire specifically about the winners. If your child is chosen to appear on the 2026 magazine covers, the parent will be notified via email and asked to bring the child in for a professional photo shoot in Dallas.
Meet the judges
Lauren Niebes, DFWChild
Lauren Niebes is the associate publisher of DFWChild and has been with the company for 20 years. A model search judge since 2005, Lauren has seen thousands of Dallas-Fort Worth’s cutest kids over the years. In her former roles as art director and creative director, she produced and styled the covers—a job she just can’t give up. Lauren continues to select the models, produce and style the covers to this day.
Heidi Staddon, Kim Dawson Agency
Staddon has been the Kid’s Print Agent at the Kim Dawson Agency since July 2022. This will be her second opportunity to assist in judging the DFWChild Model Search. As a mom of a former KD Kid, Staddon can share her experiences from both sides.
Learn more
This is our 27th annual model search, which we’ve hosted either virtually or in-person since 1998. By our rough estimation, that means we’ve featured more than 700 children on our covers that we selected from our own model searches. (You can see many of our past cover kids from more recent years here: dfwchild.com/issue-archive.)
To submit your child, please fill out the form at this link. For more modeling resources, don’t miss our industry insiders’ tips on how to break into child modeling and a list of local modeling agencies that work with children, and more exclusive content:
Have more questions?
Thank you for your interest in our 27th annual DFWChild Model Search! Please email modelsearch@dfwchild.com with any questions. We’re excited to see all the faces of our local kids!