I CAN BE

Join me in posting this image on social media today for the beginning of the I CAN BE campaign. We will have a new image each day for the next two weeks. 

Post the image below on your social media with the hashtag #FutureAmericanPresident.


People from all over the world are taking part in this today and posting the same image and hashtag.

Come join us and lets inspire the world to dream big!



Matthew

Let's do something amazing together

We have the power to do anything together. Create change, inspire hope or simply send a powerful message.

Tomorrow at 9:00 am PST, I would be honored if you would join me in sending one powerful message to the world. The message is that every child has endless possibilities.

Here is how it works. Post the first image from the link on Tuesday morning at exactly 9:00 am PST on your social media platforms with the hashtag and words, #FutureAmericanPresident, or simply go to my Twitter and retweet or share from my Facebook accounts. Do the same with the second image on Wednesday morning at the same time.

I Can

I Can

 

Here's a link to the first two mages:https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rw2w5kl5mrxw59r/AAA-NwTkCQw_zb_NYgHg0Cuha?dl=0

I have asked several celebrity friends to join me in posting this image and they have all agreed. Now, I would like you to join us  in sending the message of possibilities to the world. We will post different images for the next two weeks with messages to inspire  possibilities for any and all children.

If you would like to join us in sending out the other images please leave a comment on this blog post saying you want to be a part of this movement and will respond with a personal email that includes the other images to post.

 

Always dream big,

Matthew

 

 

Want to run a crowdfunding campaign? READ THIS!

It doesn't matter how many times you've done it before, running a crowdfunding campaign is STRESSFUL! Nothing takes stress away better than a little time on the beach, but even thenI have to stay in promotion mode.

IMG_1395.JPG

 

The last two weeks have been hectic to say the least, with podcasts, periscopes, blog posts, TV interviews, updates to the Kickstarter site, and then preparing for speaking engagements. Still with all the hard work we are only 25% funded with 19 days to go.

Three years ago I was almost in the same position but we made our goal. This time, I am faithful that we will make our goal again, but we need YOU to make that a reality.

Today we are asking those who believe in this project to pledge your support with a 10 dollar pledge. With your pledge, you will receive the American Map Game and become part of our community. You will receive the PDF story with images from my travel to every state in America wrapped within a story and you'll receive updates of every step of the journey.

 

PLEDGE TODAY: Future American Dream Project

 

 

Always deram big!

Portrait and Beauty Workshop Announced

Would you like to create better images with your subjects in a studio and learn more lighting secrets.

Caption: Gordon Parks by Matthew Jordan Smith © Copyright 1999



The Master Your Lens Beauty and Portrait workshop is now open for enrollment. Early bird registration started yesterday and ends on October 15th. 

Sign up here at MatthewJordanSmith.com/workshops

Photography Workshop Launch

The wait is over! After countless emails and social media requests, we are proud to offer our only LIVE photography workshop for 2015.

I am proud to announce the Master Your Lens Photography Workshops, taking place in Los Angeles, California from December 3rd- 6th, 2015.

The first workshop is focused on shooting fashion photography on location and will take place December 3rd and 4th on the lovely beaches of Southern California. Early bird registration begins today and ends October 15th.

 

 

The second workshop is focused on studio beauty & portrait photography to create stunning beauty and portrait images. The dates for this workshop are December 5th and 6th and will take place in Los Angeles, California.

 

If you sign up for both workshops  you will receive  a discount by going to this link.

 

Early bird registration end October 15th, 2015

 

Fashion & Beauty Workshops

This year, we have received many requests for a photography workshop in Los Angeles. I am happy to announce we will hold two back-to-back workshops at the beginning of December, 2015.

Full details will be posted by this weekend and early registration will begin immediately. The first workshop will focus on shooting fashion photography on location. The second will focus on working in the studio. Both workshops are two-day workshops but seating is limited so sign up fast.

Caption: Fashion photography workshop in Los Angeles by Matthew Jordan Smith

Caption: Fashion photography workshop in Los Angeles by Matthew Jordan Smith

Caption: Beauty Workshop in Los Angeles by Matthew Jordan Smith

Caption: Beauty Workshop in Los Angeles by Matthew Jordan Smith


Always dream big,

Matthew

Celebrating the American Dream

When you believe in a dream with all your heart great things are bound to come to life. There may be bumps along the way, but if you are persistent, your hard work will be recognized and pay off.

There were times when I wanted to stop working on this project, especially right before the book went to press. Today, however, I am happier than I've been in ages and excited about the possibilities to have a profound impact on a child's life through this project. 

The images below show some of the people who care about the message of this project and believe in it enough to help spread the word and empower children all over America.

Today, we are asking you to come and join us in helping to inspire the next generation. Whether you have children or not we need your support. You can do so my going to this link and joining the Kickstarter group that believe in the American Dream

Caption: Soul Food sisters at the Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photograph by Ronald Pollard.

Caption: Soul Food sisters at the Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photograph by Ronald Pollard.

Caption: Actresses Nicole Ari Parker and Angela Bassett co-host the Kickstarter launch of FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photographs by Ronald Pollard.

Caption: Actresses Nicole Ari Parker and Angela Bassett co-host the Kickstarter launch of FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photographs by Ronald Pollard.

Caption: Host for the Kickstarter Launch Party, Dr. Pearl E. Grimes, Nicole Ari Parker, Felicia D. Henderson and Angela Bassett. Photograph by Rnoald Pollard

Caption: Host for the Kickstarter Launch Party, Dr. Pearl E. Grimes, Nicole Ari Parker, Felicia D. Henderson and Angela Bassett. Photograph by Rnoald Pollard

Caption: Oregon subject McKenna from Future American President with her father at the Kickstarter launch event for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photograph by Ronald Pollard.

Caption: Oregon subject McKenna from Future American President with her father at the Kickstarter launch event for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photograph by Ronald Pollard.

Caption: Mike Freeze, Linda, 

Caption: Mike Freeze, Linda, 

Podcast host Marquetta Breslin and actress Angela Bassett at the Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photograph by Ronald Pollard.

Podcast host Marquetta Breslin and actress Angela Bassett at the Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photograph by Ronald Pollard.

Caption: Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Maki Sekine and Matthew Jordan Smith at the Kickstarter release party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photographs by Ronald Pollard.

Caption: Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Maki Sekine and Matthew Jordan Smith at the Kickstarter release party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photographs by Ronald Pollard.

Caption: Actress Melissa De Sousa and Boris Kodjoe at the Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photographs by Ron Pollard.

Caption: Actress Melissa De Sousa and Boris Kodjoe at the Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photographs by Ron Pollard.

Caption: Make Sekine and Jessica JJ Rabone at the Kickstarter launch of FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photographs by Ronald Pollard.

Caption: Make Sekine and Jessica JJ Rabone at the Kickstarter launch of FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photographs by Ronald Pollard.

Caption: Photographer Matthew Jordan Smith and actor Courtney B. Vance speaking at the Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photographs by Ron Pollard.

Caption: Photographer Matthew Jordan Smith and actor Courtney B. Vance speaking at the Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photographs by Ron Pollard.

Caption: Photographer Matthew Jordan Smith and TV producer Gordon Recht speaking at the Kickstarter launch event for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM.Photographs by Ronald Rollard

Caption: Photographer Matthew Jordan Smith and TV producer Gordon Recht speaking at the Kickstarter launch event for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM.Photographs by Ronald Rollard

Caption: Guest Maithy at the Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photograph by Ron Pollard.

Caption: Guest Maithy at the Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photograph by Ron Pollard.

Caption: Kids of Future American President at the Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photographs by Ronald Pollard.

Caption: Kids of Future American President at the Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photographs by Ronald Pollard.

Caption: Darryl Havens and friend at the Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photographs by Ronald Pollard.

Caption: Darryl Havens and friend at the Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photographs by Ronald Pollard.

Caption: The Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photographs by Ronald Pollard. 

Caption: The Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photographs by Ronald Pollard. 

Caption: Photograph by George DeLoache

Caption: Photograph by George DeLoache

Caption: Matthew Jordan Smith, Gordon Recht and Chaz Guest at the Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photograph by George DeLoache

Caption: Matthew Jordan Smith, Gordon Recht and Chaz Guest at the Kickstarter launch party for FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photograph by George DeLoache

Caption: Future American President covergirl Sky with sister Raine and mother, Ami Torres. Photograph by George DeLoache

Caption: Future American President covergirl Sky with sister Raine and mother, Ami Torres. Photograph by George DeLoache

Caption: celebrating the Kickstarter launch of FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photograph by George DeLoache

Caption: celebrating the Kickstarter launch of FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photograph by George DeLoache

What an amazing celebration party

This weekend we celebrated an idea. With the help of some amazing friends including Angela Bassett, Nicole Ari Parker, Felicia D. Henderson, and Dr. Pearl E. Grimes. We launched a way to help kids grow believing they can accomplish anything.

The beautiful thing is that now anyone can give their children this powerful gift. Join the community of people who believe in the next generation by joining us here.

By making a book that features a child you are close to you on the cover or your own child on the cover, you are giving them a powerful gift that will encourage them forever. 

Caption: Guests at the Kickstarter launch party for the Future American Dream project.

Caption: Guests at the Kickstarter launch party for the Future American Dream project.

Caption: Photographer Matthew Jordan Smith speaking at the launch party.

Caption: Photographer Matthew Jordan Smith speaking at the launch party.

Caption: Actress Angela Bassett and photographer Matthew Jordan Smith at the launch of Future American Dream project for Kickstarter. 

Caption: Actress Angela Bassett and photographer Matthew Jordan Smith at the launch of Future American Dream project for Kickstarter.

 

Actor Boris Kodjoe, Oregon's featured subject for Future American President, and photographer Matthew Jordan Smith at Kickstarter launch party. 

Actor Boris Kodjoe, Oregon's featured subject for Future American President, and photographer Matthew Jordan Smith at Kickstarter launch party.

 

Caption: Celebrating the launch of Future American Dream on Kickstarter.

Caption: Celebrating the launch of Future American Dream on Kickstarter.

Join us today and help empower children everywhere to dream big.

Kickstarter Link: http://kck.st/1UOLOn0

 

 

 

Vanessa Williams, Boris Kodjoe, Sky Torres, Ami Torres, Raine Torres, Darryl Havens, Mike Freeze, Quentin Gunn, Chaz Guest, Lisa Butler, Sofie Kodjoe, Nicholas Kodjoe, Keith B. Dixon, 

I can't believe it!

It's finally here! After four months of planning, we are launching Future American Dream tonight on Kickstarter.com.

Starting at 7:30 pm PST we will make a live announcement and push the START button on our Kickstarter page.

I'm inviting you to watch it LIVE on Periscope as Angela Bassett and a host of friends help me launch a project that will inspire the world.

 

LAUNCHING TODAY

7:30 PM PST

KICKSTARTER.COM

UNDER FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM

 

 

Click the link to make your copy: http://kck.st/1UOLOn0

 

Always dream big


Come celebrate with me on Periscope

For anything amazing to happen in life there has to be a team. To learn how to become a great photographer, you need a team. For a child to grow up and accomplish great things they have to have a team behind them. Team stands for, Together Each Achieves More. 

I am inviting you to join me to become part of the team, to become part of the community that will inspire the next generation to become great. 

You can watch it LIVE on Periscope at 7:30 pm by following me at Matthew_JordanS

 

FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM

ON 

KICKSTARTER.COM

A PERSONAL WAY TO INSPIRE YOUR CHILD