If you are looking for the best possible photographer for your family portrait, I have just the person for you.  Jade Albert is the leading commercial children’s photographer and has several child celebrity portraits in her portfolio.  She also has a book she collaborated on with Cindy Crawford, and has directed a national television commercial for Target.  None of these amazing accomplishments, however, is the reason why I share her with you.

Last summer I attended an event during which Jade was hired to do family portraits for the attendees.  One look at my little guy and Jade said that he was beautiful enough to be a model and asked if I had thought of trying to make him one.  The laughter that erupted from me stemmed from the fact that I knew what she was shortly about to find out: my kid doesn’t smile.

Sure, he’ll smile when he’s off camera, but the second a camera gets anywhere near that little face of his he immediately becomes somber.  I warned Jade about this, but she told me that all kids were like that but that they warmed up eventually.  She told me not to worry and we began the shoot.  Now, I had noticed that she only had to take five or six pictures of the families before me to get “The One” great shot.  Fifteen shots into our shoot, however, and Jade was starting to understand just what I meant when I told her that my kid just wasn’t model material.  She looked up at me, clearly challenged by my little one’s poker face, but also resolved to get the best possible picture nonetheless.

Many shots, and an infinite amount of patience later, Jade captured the wonderful photo of us that you see above.  Isn’t it amazing?  So many people have told me that it looks like it could be on a magazine cover, or in a major print Ad.  While I agree, I think it has less to do with my son and I and more to do with Jade’s mastery of both children and the camera.  She was kind, patient, and determined.  A true professional.

The good news for you is that while her career has comprised mostly of commercial photography, she has now decided to offer her services for family portraits as well.  She is quite versatile, and is able do either studio portraits or photographs in a setting that is more natural to you and your family.  If you want a truly memorable portrait, Jade’s your woman.