Since our first-ever issue in 1986, DFWChild has featured many hundreds of kids on our magazine covers. And every year since 1998, we’ve exclusively chosen our cover kids from locals who’ve participated in our own model searches. Many participated in our model searches just for fun of it (who doesn’t love feeling pampered with a professional photoshoot?), but others used this unique experience as a launching pad toward a professional career in child modeling.
So we decided to reach out to a few of our more recent cover kids and their parents, to catch up on how they’re doing. Each of these four kids below (Naomi, Dylan, Sophia and Summer) are currently being represented by Kim Dawson Agency, the Dallas-based agency we’re again partnering with for our annual DFWChild Model Search. Want a shot of one of our covers? Learn more and register here.
Cover kid: Naomi, then 7, from Frisco
Cover date: January 2019
Professional Instagram: @naomilindseyshih
DFWChild: Tell us a bit about Naomi. What does she like to do for fun?
Naomi & her parent: UNO, singing, dancing, horseback riding, words game, playing with fidgets.
DFWChild: What are her memories of the DFWChild photo shoot, if any?
N: Ms. Cindy had asked Mr. Gary (the makeup man) to “fix the split” in my bangs, but I thought it was to do a real gymnastics split! So I yelled “ Did someone say split?” And jumped into a split immediately. And everyone was laughing so hard!
DFWChild: What first prompted you and Naomi to pursue child modeling?
N: I am a very dramatic child just by nature and was never camera shy since I was a baby. In fact I love the camera. I love to overreact, entertain people by making them laugh.
DFWChild: Which has been her favorite modeling job(s) so far?
N: Amazon Commercial, Academy Commercial, Mattel Commercial, Sally Beauty Commercial and JCPenney Print.
DFWChild: What is Naomi’s dream modeling job? Future career aspirations?
N: My dream modeling job includes a lot of animals: horses, lions, dolphins, tigers, cheetah, and baby pigs. My future career aspirations would be as an actor, singer, model, writer, scriptwriter, acting coach, and a talent TV show judge.
DFWChild: Anything else you’d like to share? Or advice for other parents?
N: It is actually not as easy as it seems, as kids get more serious in the industry. Kids need to really have a strong passion for this industry in order to trade their playtime for the auditions and jobs. It is really important to have great agents who truly believe in your kids and their talents.
Cover kid: Dylan, then 6, from Fort Worth
Cover date: April/May 2022
DFWChild: Tell us a bit about Dylan. What does he like to do for fun?
Dylan & his parent: Dylan loves all things Titanic and any large ships. And enjoys drawing and designing ocean liners. Dylan is also a LEGO maniac!
DFWChild: What are his memories of the DFWChild photo shoot?
D: He remembers he got to keep a T-shirt and that he became “famous” when the magazine was published.
DFWChild: What first prompted you and Dylan to pursue child modeling?
D: I just submitted his photo for the cover contest thinking, “Why not, he’s a cute and outgoing kid.” Then we got the email from DFWChild that they wanted him for the cover!
DFWChild: What has been his favorite modeling job or entertainment-related gig, if any?
D: Dylan has not booked any work yet, but he does send in auditions and is still getting used to doing those. He’s almost in a clothing size (8) that will probably book more photography jobs. They have very specific sizes they use for child modeling for clothing.
DFWChild: What is Dylan’s dream modeling job? Future career aspirations?
D: He’s actually a pretty good director, so being in front of the camera helps him understand how to be behind it too. His dream job would be anything where he needs to act like a disaster is happening (so he can run and say things like, “Run, get out of the way!” He’s a huge fan of action movies. PG of course!).
Cover kid: Sophia, then 10, from Frisco
Cover date: Dec 2022/Jan 2023
Professional Instagram: @sophia_enzo13
DFWChild: Tell us a bit about Sophia. What does she like to do for fun?
Sophia & her parent: Sophia is upbeat, loves to laugh, joke, sing and, of course, dance Bollywood-style. Sophia’s interest in modeling began when she was 4. She is also steadily learning both French and Gujrati.
DFWChild: What are her memories of the DFWChild photo shoot?
S: Sophia had a great time during the DFWChild photoshoot, especially with the dance music and the famous pencil crown that @mrpmakeupman applied to her hair. This was a great shoot for her and it was very energetic. They started with one pencil and were like, “Let’s just put all of them in her hair.”
DFWChild: What first prompted you and Sophia to pursue child modeling?
S: She loves being filmed and having her pictures taken from a young age, but we were hesitant at first and we also didn’t know where to begin. Then Sophia’s pictures were spotted on Instagram by an agent and she was invited for an interview with Kim Dawson Agency. They immediately signed her up and it’s been a great experience, so far.
DFWChild: What has been her favorite modeling job(s) so far?
S: Sophia has appeared on many websites, such as Neiman Marcus, Michael’s, Pepsico, Sam’s Club, JCPenney and Kid Kraft. Also she has done a few commercials for Gaylord Texan and Baylor Scott & White. But her favorites are Neiman Marcus and DFWChild magazine by far, because of the clothing, locations, hair and makeup, music and fun, energetic environment.
DFWChild: What is Sophia’s dream modeling job? Future career aspirations?
S: Sophia is doing very well in school, and her number one goal in life is to get a good education. When she grows up, she wants to be a pediatrician so she can help kids. Sophia said, “I think modeling can help me become who I want to be in life.”
DFWChild: Anything else you’d like to share? Or advice for other parents?
S: Modeling can help you gain confidence, but you must learn to establish confidence and maintain a sense of balance. The best thing to do as parents is to be supportive and let them explore the industry for as long as they still enjoy it.
Cover kid: Summer, then 9, from Richardson
Cover date: April 2021
Professional Instagram: @summerholio
DFWChild: Tell us a bit about Summer. What does she like to do for fun?
Summer & her parent: She has a passion for both soccer and volleyball, in addition to her love for reading. The Summer I Turned Pretty is [among] her all-time favorite.
DFWChild: What are her memories of the DFWChild photo shoot?
S: She recalls the experience as incredibly fast-paced, enjoyable and straightforward, where she had an amazing time on set. Additionally, she cherished the natural makeup look that was expertly done.
DFWChild: What first prompted you and Summer to pursue child modeling?
S: Summer had a passion for being in front of the camera. Whenever I would ask her to pose for photos, she would pose joyfully and I knew she would love modeling.
DFWChild: What has been her favorite modeling job(s) so far?
S: Among all her jobs, her favorites have been either DFWChild magazine photoshoot, the Abercrombie and Fitch photoshoot, the Franki by Francesca’s, and Neiman Marcus.
DFWChild: What is Summer’s dream modeling job? Future career aspirations?
S: Summer’s dream modeling job is to walk the runway for a prominent and well-known brand.
DFWChild: Anything else you’d like to share? Or advice for other parents?
S: A piece of advice for fellow parents is to encourage their children to pursue their dreams, even if those aspirations might seem unconventional or ambitious.
This article was originally published in August 2023.
Want a chance to see your child on one of our magazine covers? Register for our annual DFWChild Model Search at dfwchild.com/modelsearch.
