Hello my CuteKid fans,

I am soooo excited to surprise you with my new images from my last posted blog. I have three keywords to share with you to help achieve your goals: Unify. Clarify. Amplify. Let me walk you through the Jade Albert process…

Unify: to “define” my vision.
Subject: smile
Theme: Neon colored tape, bright playful dress-up
Style: Whimsical with a clever sense of humor

Clarify: to communicate my message to my dream team crew.

Preparation Recipe:
-    Shop for the ingredients or go into your closet (I used my clothes)
-    Grooming – Avoid the beauty pageant look. I only use a little blush and Chapstick for a healthy glow. Clean hair is a must and keep it simple.
-    The set – Clean, sparse. Let the sunshine in.

Remember it’s about the child’s persona that we are shaking and baking.

Amplify: to be proud to share and show your images with your audience – Family & Friends.
-    Edit with courage and confidence.
-    Add images to website – Post blog.
-    Have the kids send email cards and make scrapbooks.
-    Make a video.

Enjoy. Reflect your satisfaction.

I believe in reinventing myself. Updating, stretching and challenging myself to grow. I think of the metamorphosis as being similar to the changing seasons.

Summer time, Memorial Day to Labor Day, Fall, September, October and November and the Holidays straddle November, December and January when it all begins again.

This past month I assigned myself a photo shoot. Yep, once in a while I’ve got to stretch myself by working for me. I was my own client. I work for so many clients that I seldom have the opportunity to shoot just for me.

So I scheduled myself back into the studio with my favorite dream team crew. My “dream team crew” are the best! My playlist: a photo-tech, digital tech, wardrobe person, and grooming person. I even bring in my own music and a working lunch for all.

Then I started casting for models looking in all the right and normal places: Ford, Willy, Product, Generations and Funny Faces, all the biggies in the kids agency business. And of course I posted a casting call on TheCuteKid.com.

I was so delighted with the overwhelming response.

Thank you CuteKid moms, dad and kids for your enthusiasm and inspiration. You made it all work.

I invited three cute kids: sister and brother, Haley and Zachary, and Nicholas. This photo op wasn’t only a first for them, but a double treat for Haley and Zach as they had never been to New York City. Nicholas was also brand new entering a studio. We all felt the excitement.

Their hidden talent was beyond my expectations. It is just amazing how comfortable and professional these kids were in front of the camera. I am so very proud of them for their stamina and discipline maintained throughout their “magical model tour.” I totally believe there is a bright future for these kids.

My next blog will show you the “how to process” from “before and after.”
Please stay tuned and share these exciting “after” pictures with me.

Lean to the left, lean to the right, head up, chin down, say cheese! One more time… Please Honey, just once more. I promise, just one more.

The last time we spoke about the importance of beautiful light and believe me, every great photograph begins with beautiful light. By the way, did you notice what time of day it was? I hope so, because light changes from hour to hour and day to day as the sun travels across the sky and the seasons change. I know it does not sound that important but as a professional, I know how the right light makes the photo.

But there’s more to it than just the magic of light. Having a willing subject is also necessary. Not that your 5 month old has much to say about it. But your toddler and older children will have a great deal to say about it and usually do. Take a look at my website where a large portion of the children I photograph are professional models. Believe it or not, they are not always willing to cooperate, so I guess I am also paid a great deal for my ability to coax a shot out of an unwilling child.
If you want great shots, you may have to resort to some small illusions that have served me well over the years.
One of the best ways to involve a child (toddler and older) is to role-play. Let them become part of the process. Give them the camera, show them how to look at the screen and snap the shutter. Let them take a photo of you, smile, grin, ignore them, make funny faces, turn around and scare them. Your husband and the neighbors will enjoy seeing you make a fool of yourself as much as all the children in your child’s nursery school and at the country club. Then it’s your turn; suggest to your child that he or she give you the same routine.
Role-play is loads of fun and who knows, maybe one of your pictures will end up on your child’s wall… Pretty Mommy!

Light meters, Depth of field, “F” Stops, Shadows, Halo’s and of course the ever-dreaded “Red Eye” ……

Wait a minute! I’ve been paid handsomely for years to know about all these things and more. But this is how I pay the rent and put food on
the table for myself and Albert Albert my faithful Yorkshire Terrier. If you visit my website, you’ll see photographs of him.

However this blog is not about me, it’s about you and how you can take better photographs of your children. So let’s start with the number one thing… LIGHT. Light creates and equals mood. Look for the beautiful light, if you have lovely light in the garden or coming through a window, try shooting there. Don’t be afraid to move the furniture and spread out a blanket on the floor. Position your child away from the wall (no shadows), so the pool of light streams in.

Experiment and avoid too much backlighting or halo (“halo affect”)… not a pretty sight. Try to avoid the hot light of midday. Shooting really beautiful photographs for many reasons is best if done either very early in the morning when the light is cool and soft or late in the day when it’s all warm and cozy. I love the beach and the blue sky. Seasonal shots are beautiful, such as in an orchard or pumpkin field, or against the fall leaves. I also love clean backgrounds. So don’t be afraid to take a couple of plain sheets outside, drape them and shoot with them as the background. Just leave yourself enough room once again to avoid shadows.

I can’t emphasize enough that in order to take wonderful photographs of children it’s necessary to take a lot of pictures – and learn from your mistakes…. There’s no other way to learn.
You can’t learn it from a book…you have to see it.

Remember: 1st look for the beautiful light and 2nd look for the beautiful light……

Stay tuned… more to come.

Hi all! It has been a busy week.

I thought that I would give you a preview of what’s coming from both behind the camera and in front of the camera and in Jade Albert’s World.
Here’s sort of a run down of what’s to come in future blogs. So stay tuned and ask questions, in the comment section, if I can help with your photography questions and your child’s modeling career.

1.Photo/Model Glossary (define) – Getting to know your vocabulary.

2.Studio Etiquette – The Dos & Don’ts of a photo shoot. Rules to shoot by.

3.Judge Jade– What I look for– This is no beauty pageant.

4.Casting Call– with TheCuteKid– Camera, Lights & Action.

5.Tips & Tricks of the Trade– Bubbles and Barney.

6.Second Stage– Adventure Park– Let your imagination run wild.

7.A tour of some of my favorite things– Your guide to the best sites.

8.My Leading Ladies– Stardom– How to make your dreams come true.

9.Your at home photo project– It’s your turn to shine

10.Cindy Crawford & Me– About Face– A collaboration on how to communicate with babies.

11.Just for fun– Photos & crafts– Say it with pictures.

There will be a new topic every 2 weeks. Don’t forget to ask questions in the comment section, so I can get back to you.

You’re invited to join me in “Jade’s World” a bi-weekly adventure designed and written to share my knowledge of photography. Through out our journey I hope to explain the process of photographing children and to define what professional photographers look for and expect should you decide to explore the world of modeling for your child.
As a professional photographer in New York City for more years than I care to remember I could go to great lengths to explain my credentials but that would be too embarrassing. So rather than tooting my own horn, I’ll simply provide you with what others have written about me.

“Ms Albert has gained a reputation as one of the nation’s leading commercial photographers. American Photographer Magazine credited her with reinventing the craft by allowing children to act as they do in real life.”

- Randall Rothenberg – The New York Times

“Jade Albert may just be the best children’s fashion
photographer in the business. If you see an ad with
cute kids looking chic, it’s probably by Jade.”

- American Photographer Magazine

Nick Peters, Creative Director of Macy’s, has said,
“A lot of the kids owe their careers to Jade.” ***

Remember our focus on one hand will be to improve your skills as a photographer and on the other hand to prepare both you and your child for entry into the business profession of child modeling.

So let our journey begin, stay tuned…

For more information, go to http://www.jadealbert.com