Josh McCaghren

My passion for helping the special needs community started at a young age...

My sister was born with Spina Bifida, The Mayo Clinic defines spina bifida as "a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don't form properly." While my sister could socialize and carry out basic work tasks, she was physically limited to crutches and a wheelchair all of her life and struggled academically. She is two years older than I am, and so I've spent a large part of my life in hospitals, waiting rooms, emergency rooms, etc. I've seen from a young age how people view and react to people with special needs and disabilities and it has always been a passion of mine to help however I can. And though I left my pre-Med studies to pursue fashion photography in New York, I never forgot how I wanted to help.

Creating the bridge between two communities...

My journey with photography has been an absolute blast. I've been able to work with top modeling agencies around the world and I've been able to travel across the country to work with different brands and clients to document them at their best - whether that's a model at their best, or a product at its best, or a brand's message at its best. My job is to promote the best of people, of our industries, and our society, which is why I would like to help advocate for the inclusion of the special needs community. It's important to me that their voices are heard, but also that they are seen, admired, and loved for the beauty they bring to all of our lives.

Practically speaking, what does that mean?

That means working together with brands and nonprofits alike to create partnerships in marketing campaigns to give people with special needs the spotlight they deserve. It means photographing them for social media campaigns, opening the doors for them to be ambassadors themselves; it means working with brands and producers to bring in employees with special needs in appropriate working conditions such as assisting on photo shoots, or taking over brand's Instagram for the day to interact with followers and promote awareness and unity (*employment is absolutely life-changing for people with special needs not only financially, but socially and for independence!*); it means opening up Fashion Week events to meet and greet opportunities for special needs to meet with their favorite models. It isn't so much an annual hashtag as it is a constant push for inclusion within the fashion community.

I've worked with companies like Calvin Klein, Bloomingdale's, Kate Spade, and others as an assistant and PA on their productions, and I've seen where and how people in this community could be brought in to feel empowered and included among some of the industry's biggest brands and celebrities. I've worked with some of the best in the business and they have the biggest hearts and would welcome them lovingly.

Personal project...

This residency could provide me the time and position (having Adobe's support is huge!) to meet with brands and nonprofits currently in place, to organize photo shoots, and help try to find freelance employment opportunities for people with special needs and disabilities. I would be able to do video interviews with industry professionals (brands, publications, talent) and nonprofit organizations and publish them on YouTube and social media; photo shoots with behind the scenes footage, Q&A's re: lighting techniques, equipment, etc. I would be documenting the struggles and stigmas associated with special needs and disabilities to show their strength and courage. My hope is that in creating this content, I will not only give encouragement and strength to people, but I will help open real opportunities for them for once in a life experiences as well as career paths within fashion and the arts.