Gun Control and the Oregon Shooting

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

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: 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, 

What does Vine star Nash Grier have in common with Angela Bassett?

Angela Bassett, Nash Grier, Zendaya Coleman, Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, all have somethign in common, they all have their own copy of Future American President. Now you can have your own special edition version of Future American President too. Starting September 12th, 2015 at 7:30 pm PST, you'll be able to make your very own special edition book with your child on the cover.  

KICKSTARTER ONLY!  under FUTURE AMERICAN DREAM

September 12th, 2015

Launch time: 7:30 pm PST

Hosts: Angela Bassett, Nicole Ari Parker, Felicia Henderson and Dr. Pearl Grimes

Watch LIVE on Periscrope!

Caption: Nash Grier with Future American President

Caption: Angela Bassett with Future American President

Caption: Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker with Future American President

Caption: Zendaya with Future American President

I couldn't help crying

Two days ago I was the guest on a popular podcast which airs today. The hosts interviewed me about my career as a celebrity fashion and beauty photographer, but what surprised one of the hosts was my news about what's about to launch on Saturday, September 12th, at 7:30 p.m. 

When I shared my news she was in tears and couldn't help crying. She knew how something like this could affect her daughter and other children around the country and her emotions showed it. 

On September 12th, at 7:30 P.M. PST, Angela Bassett and friends will host a celebrity launch event as I make a big announcement. The announcement is a BIG SECRET for the moment. You can watch the event LIVE on Periscope by following me @ Matthew_JordanS on Twitter and Periscope.

Until then,...always dream big!

Relationships

The secret to success in almost every business can be found in your relationships. Years ago I met Angela Bassett on a photo shoot. A few years after that, I met her husband, Courtney Vance and now I am proud to say they are both very good friends. 

In September, Angela and Courtney will help me launch something that has the ability to have an impact on every family in America. I look forward to sharing the news as we get closer and closer to the day. I will make the annoucement on August 15th, one month before we launch.

Always dream big!

Imagine How Your Child Would Feel...

Imagine how your child would feel to have their picture on the cover of a hardcover, book with 99 of their peers? Image if that book could educate and inspire them to dream of endless possibilities?

In less than 60 days you will have the opportunity to join Angela Bassett, Zendaya and others in having a special edition Future American President book.

Details coming all this week!

To receive an email to alert you when the special Edition book launch, and to receive our FREE pdf on how to take better children's pictures click the FREE PDF button below.

Click Here for FREE PDF

Always dream big!

Two Months From Today!

Two months from today, with the help of Angela Bassett and Zendaya, we will be launching something cool and exciting for every family in America! Stay tuned this week to learn how your family can be a part of this movement.

Always dream big!

Throwback Thursday -Whitney Houston

The first time I met Whitney Houston was for a photo shoot for Waiting To Exhale. It was actually my first time meeting all the women in the cast and the beginning of several long-term friendships. 

Whitney was the first to arrive in the studio that day and asked right away, "who's the photographer." When my assistants pointed her in my direction, she said, "oh, that's different, a Black photographer!" Then she walked over and we shook hands and she said, "so where's your music collection for today?" In those days I carried a big case of CD's, so I walked her over to my collection and she started going through my music, and smile at me and said, "we are going to have  a good day!"

Whitney was right because our shoot was incredible. As all the woman arrived I had the music playing to take them back in time with classics from the past and the latest hot songs of the moment. As the ladies were having their makeup done from time-to-time, Whitney would run out and select a different CD and the room would explode. It was such an amazing day. This continued as we shot as Whitney ran back and forth to change the music. It put her in a great mood and the rest of the women as well. By the end of the shoot, no one wanted to leave, even after they had all changed clothes and were preparing to go. At one point, someone started dancing and I started shooting again. My favorite private images from that day are the images of all of them dancing in their own clothes after the shoot was over. It is a day I will never forget and part of why I have loved this industry for so many years.

On Cloud Nine

Angela Bassett

Zendaya

This has really been an incredible week thanks to these two woman. Very soon I'll be able to share what these two woman have in common.

Always Dream Big

What's Music Got To Do With It

It’s funny how a great song can change our mood and even give us new-found energy.

I have a very good friend named Dushyanthi who now works at the United Nations. When she lived in Los Angeles she worked for me and helped me put music together before jobs. The right music can set the tone for the day and even save a difficult photo session.

During the morning hours when my subjects are having hair and makeup done, the music is played low and it’s softer. When the actual shooting starts the music is more upbeat and energetic.

On one assignment for Olay, I was hired to photograph another good friend, Angela Bassett. The day before the shoot, Angela was shooting a movie and worked late into the evening. When she arrived at the studio the next morning I could tell she was tired. As we began to shoot my clients noticed that Angela’s energy was less than what we’d hoped for, so I spoke to Angela and we tried shooting again, still it wasn’t quite right. My production assistant, Dushyanthi, came to me and whispered, “I know the perfect song to play.”  She switched the music and as soon as Angela heard this song she was the Angela I’ve come to know.  The song was Tina Turner’s, Proud Mary, and it saved the day.

Angela played Tina Turner in What’s Love Got To Do With It, and the entire studio came to life when the song started to play. It was a magical moment when having the right song made all the difference.

Always Dream Big……….and play great music.