By Mark McConville
AS HYPE for the upcoming superhero blockbuster ramps up images and video have captured real-life superheroes as sick children are dressed up as the Justice League.
The heart-warming pictures show the kids dressing up as their favourite heroes including Superman and Batman and taking part in their very own photo shoot.
The feel-good video shows the mini superheroes being shown the final movie posters for the first time with their priceless reactions captured on film.
The project was carried out by photographer Josh Rossi after people contacted him when he did a Wonder Woman shoot with his daughter.
“I had a lot of people contact me telling me their child had cancer or some other disability and that they were the real super heroes,” he said.
“After that I decided that I needed to find the REAL super heroes out there and do a photo shoot of them. From start to finish it took two months.
“My wife Roxana produced the shoot and found all the kids. She spent weeks searching until we found the kids that fit the correct super hero.
“We wanted the kids to have similar traits or stories as the super heroes. For example Zaiden (The Flash) has severe ADHD and loves to run. Kayden is a double amputee and barely survived birth.
“His mom was told to abort him but she decided not to. He was perfect for the character Cyborg who had a terrible accident and his dad created robotic parts to keep him alive.”
The costumers were created and donated by Julie Whitely who spent three weeks creating the movie-realistic designs, pulling some all nighters.
Josh hopes his photographs can help the kids feel strong and inspire others going through similar battles.
“The shoot was amazing with the kids,” he added.
“Even though most of them had just come out of Chemo and radiation treatments that same week they were happy and excited to do the shoot.
“They didn’t complain and were getting into the poses I had for them. It was amazing being able to photograph these little strong people.
“The message I would like to convey is that our weaknesses are what make us strong. Also, I want this to help other kids that are suffering to feel strong and inspire many others.”
