Feb 16, 2009 6:23 pm US/Eastern
Foster Kids Looking For A Family Strike A Pose
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
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These images were part of the first Children's Trust Heart Gallery exhibit.
It's a picture post card day at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and Miami Herald photographer Carl Juste is telling two young subjects to give him just the right smile.
"That's it, that's it," Juste tells the children.
Juste wants to capture the bond between 8-year old Cameron and his 6-year old sister Tajah. They are just two of 70 kids featured in the new Children's Heart Gallery, a photographic wall of local foster children looking for adoptive parents. Cameron and Tajah are not shy when it comes to telling
CBS4's Jim Berry why they are so adopt-able.
"I'm gonna be really good, and I will be really happy when I get with a new family," said Cameron.
"And you want to take your little sister with you, right," asked Berry.
"Yes," Cameron replied without hesitation.
The Children's Trust is sponsoring the photo gallery for a second year because the first year went so well. Emily Cardenas, spokesperson for the Children's Trust, said in year one more than half of the kids featured in their 'Heart Gallery' are in the process of being adopted.
"We've got one of the higher adoption placement rates in the nation, and we are proud of that," said Cardenas.
For their photo shoot, the kids are whisked thru makeup and then framed for their photos with Vizcaya as the backdrop. The photographers are all world renowned professionals who have donated their time.
"With blessings come a responsibility to give back. This is my way of giving back," Juste said. "And besides, who does not believe in children."
Juste adds that he's never satisfied until he can capture their essence on film.
"You can't force it. You have to let their expressions tell you when they are ready."
After having their pictures taken, the kids record their aspirations on tape. Their voices will be heard alongside of their pictures. Thirteen year old Brittany told a video crew about her dream of becoming a forensic pathologist. She said she religiously watches the Discovery Channel. Cameron wants to be the President while his little sister wants to be one of Disney's Cheetah girls.
So far, local adoption levels have held steady despite a sour economy. The Children's Trust hopes it stays that way.
"I'm hoping that people will always find room in their hearts to adopt children, no matter what is going on in the world," said Cardenas.
The pictures of these kids will go on display at the Freedom Tower in June, and then be moved to various locations throughout the year. After that, the kids hope their next big photo shoot will be with their new family.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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