Jaden Hair gives new meaning to terms like self-starter and multi-tasker. Since 2007, the mother of 
two young boys has:
- Started a blog, Steamy Kitchen, which she re-designs every six months
- Taught herself how to take great food photos
- Taught cooking classes
- Started a regular newspaper column
- Landed a bi-monthly gig cooking on a TV show
- Written a cookbook, also called Steamy Kitchen.
Oh yes, and she’ll be teaching next month (along with me and other bloggers), at Club Med Ixtapa Food Blogger Camp.
She’s unfazed by the technical requirements of her job. Let’s take her photography skills, as one example. Usually cookbook publishers use a food photographer and stylist to take photos. How did she get the publisher to accept her own photography?
As she explains, “They rejected the idea to begin with, so for six months I practiced and practiced. I would send them pictures, they would print, review and critique. They were very supportive of the idea and then finally I got to the point where they felt my photography was good enough to publish.”
On the last page of her cookbook, she explains the final dish photography. “All of the final dish photography in this book was shot by me in my home, usually about 15 minutes before my family or dinner guests pounce and devour the dish.” There’s a photo of Jaden looking through a camera on a tripod, photographing a burger on a coffee table in her home. She uses a digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) Canon Rebel XT, if you’re curious. Her fancy photography props comprise an inexpensive wood TV tray, a $3 foam board and another white board for reflecting light.
I learned more about her on an IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals) teleforum. To ready herself for cooking on TV, she “watched a ton of Food Network, took notes on how to cook in front of a camera, and searched the web for tips.” To improve her photography, she took classes at Lynda.com, where she learned Photoshop and Photoshop Lightroom.
Jaden believes opportunity lies with those who not only know how to write but how to shoot, report, edit and produce. As she concludes, “I have no idea what the platform will be in five years, but I know I’ll be ready for it.”
Lovely! I think she is pretty amazing!
Thanks Monica. Me too. She has a 21st Century approach, that’s for sure.
I read Jaden’s blog occasionally, and firmly believe that she is a superwoman! I love reading success stories on your blog Dianne – they keep me motivated in terms of my own blog. Thanks for posting this.
You are most welcome, Erika. Superwoman is a good way to describe Jaden. I don’t know how she does so much.
It’s hard to imagine the heights Jaden has shot up to, in such a short period of time. She’s a real example of a go-getter.
Thanks Nate.
I have watched her grow over the past year! She is incredible !!!
Hi Alona, I think so too.
aaawww….guys (blush) THANK YOU!!!
Hey Jaden! You are most welcome.
I got a chance to chat with Jaden and hear her speak about her experiences when she came to Seattle. I was so inspired by her can-do approach to everything. She wanted to blog–she created one. She wanted to write for a newspaper–she approached them with her idea. She wanted to be on TV–she approached them. Seriously, she reminded me that we are limited only by what we think we can and can’t do. Go Jaden!
Wow, you were lucky to talk with her. I hope you were inspired.
Inspiring…especially all those self-taught photog skills…thanks for sharing.
Hey Sarah, yes, that Lynda site is quite eye-opening. I’ve heard other bloggers say they’ve used it. It caters to women, which makes it seem more comfortable.
Jaden the juggernaut!
Yep, watch her fly!
I love this. Thank you! Jaden you rock! And what a GORGEOUS picture of Jaden 🙂
Hi Amanda. Thanks. I got the photo from her blog.
She it truly inspirational for sure. Thanks for this.
Sure. May we all be as productive!
I like the layout of your blog and I’m going to do the same thing for mine. Do you have any tips? Please PM ME on yahoo @ AmandaLovesYou702 7 7 9