Children suffering from life-threatening illnesses and disabilities were transformed into their inner superheroes thanks to a photographer who volunteered his talents.
Josh Rossi, 32, captured incredible photographs of six brave kids aged two to nine transforming them into the Justice League characters with the help of costumes and special effects.
Wonder Woman, The Flash and Superman are among the characters portrayed by the children suffering from different forms of cancer, half a heart, a double amputation and severe autism.
The Utah-based photographer told Daily Mail Online: ‘When they first showed up to the shoot some were feeling sick and down but as soon as they put on the costume they started smiling and got into the role and had fun.’
Utah-based photographer Josh Rossi, 32, transformed children with life-threatening illnesses and disabilities into superheroes from the Justice League using special effects and professional costumes
Sophie, three, has a rare form of eye cancer called embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. She came to the photo shoot in August after having completed radiation and was bleeding from her nose. Rossi said she is the real Wonder Woman
The commercial photographer said he got the idea for the superhero shoot after dressing up his four-year-old daughter Nellee and photographing her as Wonder Woman for her birthday last year.
The photos went viral and Josh began receiving requests from all around the US for photo shoots.
He and his wife decided to use his skills for children suffering from medical conditions.
‘I wanted to photograph the real superheroes – those kids who have cancer and real issues,’ he said.
Because it was difficult going through a hospital, he contacted friends on Facebook who spread the word to find children with conditions who wanted to play dress up for the day.
Costume-maker Julie Whitley donated the professional costumes and the photo shoot was done in just one day in August at a studio.
Rossi said that Sophie, three, who suffers from a rare form of eye cancer came to the shoot after radiation therapy and was bleeding from her nose.
As soon as she put on the costume she was in character and became the real Wonder Woman.
‘We put them with the superhero that they had something in common with,’ Rossi said. ‘We made sure they loved the character.
For example, Kayden, five, has been a double amputee since he was one year old due to him being born with omphalocele, which caused his internal organs to grow outside of his body. In order to save his life, Kayden’s mother chose to have his legs amputated.
He played Cyborg because ‘Cyborg was a healthy boy until he had a horrible accident. His father kept him alive by giving him robotic parts,’ Rossi said.
Kayden, five, is a double amputee due to a condition which caused his internal organs to grow outside of his body. In order to save his life, Kayden’s mother chose to have his legs amputated, much like the character Cyborg
Teegan, nine, was born with half a heart due to a condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. He has had three open heart surgeries and a heart transplant which has now turned him into the real Superman
Two-year-old Mataese has a rare form of cancer called acute megakaryoblastic. He was transformed into Aquaman and had just finished a round of chemotherapy before the photo shoot
Teegan, nine, was born with half a heart due to a condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. He has had three open heart surgeries and a heart transplant which has now turned him into Superman.
Seven-year-old Zaiden suffers from severe ADHD.
‘He loves to run and can’t stand still so I thought he’d be perfect for The Flash,’ said Rossi.
Editing the photos took the photographer about two weeks using Photoshop.
He said the best reaction came after he hand delivered the custom print to they kids.
‘They opened it up and were super excited and screaming. Kayden put it up in his room and was staring at it because he had never seen himself so tall,’ Rossi added.
Two-year-old Mataese has a rare form of cancer called acute megakaryoblastic and was transformed into Aquaman.
Rossi called him ‘a powerhouse’ for being so strong after having just finished a round of chemo.
Batman is portrayed by Simon, five, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nerves, who Rossi said battles it like a superhero.
All six of the superheroes had the chance to fly to New York for Comic Con where they had a special meet and greet with the characters who they look up to and portrayed.
Batman is portrayed by Simon, five, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer of the nerves. Rossi said he battles cancer like a superhero
Seven-year-old Zaiden suffers from severe ADHD. ‘He loves to run and can’t stand still so I thought he’d be perfect for The Flash,’ said Rossi.