New York ( CNN ) -- A picture may be worth a thousand words , but for foster children in New York City and across the country , a picture is worth improved self-esteem , and potentially , a new home and family . As part of National Adoption Month , Heart Gallery NYC along with more than 100 other Heart Gallery locations in the United States and Canada have teamed up renowned celebrity portrait and fashion photographers . The photographers will take pictures of children in the foster care system in need of permanent adoptive families -- in hopes the kids will be seen in a different light . On Wednesday evening at New York 's Times Square Information Center , some foster kids found themselves staring back at their larger-than-life-sized pictures among the lights of Broadway at a grand opening exhibit held in their honor . For celebrity photographers such as Robert Ascroft , whose clients include Brad Pitt , Penelope Cruz , and Mariah Carey ; Howard Schatz , whose shutters have exposed the likes of Michael Douglas , Whoopi Goldberg and Brooke Shields ; and Barbara Bordnick , whose works are in the permanent collections of the International Center of Photography as well as innumerable magazines , volunteering their time and studios made for a change and reward , but came with challenges . `` I was hoping I could make them feel comfortable and make them feel special -- I wondered if I 'd be able to do that , '' Bordnick said , voicing concern that she `` ... wanted to get 'them ' on film , not make them into anything . '' Paul Lange , a celebrity photographer who counts Halle Berry , Tyra Banks and Oprah among his clients said , `` My whole career was fashion and beauty . The nice thing about it is , instead of selling a product , we 're campaigning for a person 's future . It spoke to me to give these kids an opportunity to get a foot up on the ladder . '' Lange said his biggest surprise was the `` genuineness '' in the children 's expression . `` It 's like they 're saying , ' I 'm a good person inside . Give me a chance . ' They 're dying for an opportunity for someone to step forward and take a chance on them , '' he said . Jasmine , 14 , who posed next to her portrait at the exhibit , said she loved it . `` I was shocked at first to see it , but I like it . ... I feel like a star . '' Laurie Sherman Graff , founder of Heart Gallery NYC , says one picture can make all the difference . `` Some of the pictures prospective families typically see of these children -- it 's like looking at a driver 's license photo compared to these photos . '' An average shoot for the project takes several hours . For some of the kids , the shoot provides a mini-family reunion . Lange said he 's photographed siblings who are living in the system , but not necessarily together . `` I 've had grandparents , aunts , uncles , show up at my studio so they can have an afternoon together , '' he said . Once the final photographs have been chosen for each kid , giant posters are created to be exhibited for four to six weeks at high-trafficked spots including Times Square , Grand Central Station , malls and airports -- places where their curators hope to get many eyes on them . Along with the exhibit , recruitment and information tables are set up for when people stop and ask , `` What are these pictures about ? '' Graff said . Jean , 18 , is close to being too old for the foster-care system , but says his poster inspires him . `` Spontaneous , handsome , intelligent , '' were words he used to describe his chosen shot . `` I 'd like to be a star for eternity . But for now , I hope to get a family and live my life , '' Jean said .
Celebrity guests support the effort to help children in need of a home . They hope the event will be seen in a different light . The event is part of National Adoption Month . The Gallery also partners with other locations in the U.S. and Canada .