Skip Cohen has been an amazing friend over the years and he is also the host of an amazing photography podcast.
I was fortunate to be featured on today's podcast. Take a listen and check out Skips podcast often for amazing information and inspiration regarding photography.
http://www.skipcohenuniversity.com/scu-blog/weekend-wisdom-with-matthew-jordan-smith-special-projects
It's not every day that something incredible comes along, but today is different. Starting today and Sunday morning, October 11th at twelve noon. I am give two FREE video's to any photographer who pledges $2 to this Kickstarter campaign.
The two FREE videos will help you become a better photographer in many ways. The videos are
1) The secret to Making Creative Photographs
2) Creative Ways to Promote Your Photography
To receive these free videos we must fund this Kickstarter project successfully, so the more photographers who take us up on this offer the better for you as well. We are trying to get 5000 photographer to take us up on this deal so help us spread the word.
This offer will expire on Sunday at 12 noon, but act fast!
To
Did you hear what the Oregon shooter said?
"This is the only time I'll ever be in the news, I"m so insignificant!"
If a child grows up and feels they have no chance for success in life they can grow up and become our worst nightmare. On the other hand, if we make our children feel special it can have a profound impact on their lives and lead to greatness.
I know a lot of my friends are tired of my posts about Future American President, but the reason why I created this project is to help children feel important. In How To Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie speaks about the importance of feeling special. If a child feel special the gun issue would be a concern. I believe when a child grows up feeling special it can lead to a great future. The dangerous part is what can happen when a child grows up feeling worthless. Guess how the Oregon shooter felt about himself.
To inspire a child, it doesn't have to be our child, it can be a neighbor or a friend's child, but we all need to encourage kids to believe they have possibilities. I named my book project Future American President not because I was looking for children who want to become the president one day. I use the word president as a metaphor for greatness because if a child grows up believing they can become the president, they believe they can do anything in life.
To an adult, a picture of a child may just be a cute picture, but to the child it's a vision of themselves and endless possibilities.
Caption: Future American President
Caption: Future American President
If you believe in this message then please pledge 1 dollar today as a symbol to let others know this message is important and worth spreading. You can pledge here.
Caption: Future American President
Caption: Future American President
We have only 7 days left to bring this project to life. If it doesn't hit its 10K goal then this project will go away forever and no more books will be printed. However, we have a chance to make an impact on a child and keep them from feeling the way the Oregon shooter felt. Today you can make a difference. Please join us in bringing this project to life.
For each person who makes a pledge I will give a public thank you mentioning your name on Facebook, on my podcast and on my daily Periscope broadcasts.
Pledge here: http://kck.st/1UOLOn0
Make a child feel special here: http://kck.st/1UOLOn0
Always dream big,
Matthew
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.
Matthew
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
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
In today's American Map Game, the Havens family has discovered something unique and beautiful. Join us, and take a journey across America.
The Amerian Map Game is Level 1: http://kck.st/1UOLOn0
Caption: From the American Map Game story
Always Dream Big
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.
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.
Yesterday a good friend, actress Nicole Ari Parker, was asked to do an interview for Future American President. It was the 2nd TV interview for the book, but the first where people were given a lot of information about it.
Would you like to create better images with your subjects in a studio and learn more lighting secrets.
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
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
In yesterday's photography podcast I spoke about posing,. I think you'll find it to be an interesting listen. If you like the podcast, please give it a five-star rating and leave us a review
The podcast can be found now on iTunes under Master Your Lens
Always dream big!
It's taken more than two weeks to be approved by I am happy to say the photography podcast, Master Your Lens, is finally up.
Please tune in, give us a review and rating. We look forward to speaking with you soon on Master Your Lens.
Always dream big,
Matthew
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: Beauty Workshop in Los Angeles by Matthew Jordan Smith
Always dream big,
Matthew
From The Haven's Family Road Trip
Mom asked what we wanted for lunch and I screamed, "CHEESEBURGERS!!"
"AAAHHHH! You always want cheeseburgers!" Raine screamed back.
"Well, it is funny Jayden wants cheeseburgers, because this state is actually home to...
To take part in the American Map Game join here.
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: 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: 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,
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: celebrating the Kickstarter launch of FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM. Photograph by George DeLoache
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: 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.
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.
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,
