We were lucky to catch up with Josh Madson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Josh, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

When I pay attention to what people have said to me recently about my work, I think people will say that I brought much joy to people and captured their true essence in the photographs I created. When I was a kid I used to to dream about all the things I could do with life. At that time my dreams were simple; having a tree fort or taking care of an injured bird, wishing it to heal and come back to the life that it knew before hurting its wing. I think in many ways we’re all still children just searching for our purpose and our way through this lifetime. We are complex and emotional beings. Those emotions get carried from generation to generation. It’s clear to me that who we are shapes and influences those around us, those we are close to and those we may not even be aware we are affecting. Our emotions vastly shape a majority of the choices we make and in turn ultimately what our lives and world look like as a result. We have been given the gift to be able to create, to shape how our world looks like. A majority of my work is generative. Despite what my circumstances look like, I still have choice. I would like people remember that we have the ability to create. My greatest desire is to be remembered as someone who inspired people to create and bring joy, prosperity and abundance into their lives and others. My body of work to be the evidence that I touched many’s lives with just a little more light.

Josh, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Josh Madson is a dynamic, prolific photographer/director/DP who works internationally from various home-bases in LA, NYC and Tokyo. Josh works with and has had works published in a diverse mix of top-tier, global enterprises and publications, such as: L’OREAL, NYX, goop, Murad, Beauty Counter, ipsy, Proctor & Gamble, COTY, Clairol, Bank of America, Nike, VOGUE Girl, Elle, SELF, Esquire, Instyle, Macy’s, G- Tech, Target, Hitachi, Mac, amongst many others.

In 2018 and 2019, Josh directed motion campaigns for OPI, Goop, Beauty Counter and Murad. Josh’s eye for beauty and vibrant personality has led him to some amazing work within the beauty segment, including working closely with Michelle Phan on her book “Makeup Your life: A Girl’s Guide To Success” in which Josh has roughly 200+ photos. Josh was also the creative director for ipsy for their stills campaigns for the first 2 years of operations. To see Josh’s reel click here. In 2016, Josh photographed roughly 30 portraits of prominent Los Angeles women, including Kimora Lee Simmons, for Angeleno Magazine’s “Dynamic Women” 2016 issue. Additionally, Josh is a contributing editor at Athlete’s Quarterly Magazine . He works closely with many clients to enable their visions to come to life. A truly versatile artist, Josh brings a unique beauty and his signature aesthetic to all that he shoots—from couture/celebrity editorial to product and lifestyle advertisements.

communitycollage.org

MANKATO – On June 24th, 25th and July 9th of 2023. Josh Madson Photographed 800+ individuals and families in Mankato, MN for an upcoming printed exhibition called the “Mankato Community Collage” Participants were promised a free photo for their participation in the collage. Josh and team sent photos to participants immediately following their photo session.

Watch a quick video preview of the exhibition https://youtu.be/4k7VWORGjnk

The community response was astronomical. It far exceeded any expectation from Josh and the volunteers of the Mankato Community Collage shoots. During and immediately after the shoots social media began to light up with images of participants. It began to spread like wild fire. Positivity beamed from all who participated, watched and gathered. Josh’s vision and goal being to bring community together through art seemingly being brought to fruition. “Basically, to be human we want to be seen and heard and acknowledged and feel like a contribution. It could be as simple as just saying like hey, you know what? Who you are is beautiful. What if that made a difference to stop someone from going out and saying something hurtful to someone else? What I wanted to see with this project is like, here’s the best foot forward. Everyone and anyone please come and be a part of this because you are just as valid as anyone else. Your voice is welcome here and we can probably all learn from each other.” -Josh Madson

Josh got into the photography industry in Minneapolis MN, assisting various photographers for several years. Josh relocated to Los Angeles in 2005 in pursuit of a more sustainable career in the industry. Josh assisted many photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Jason Bell, Tom Munro and Michael Thompson. After many years of assisting, Josh began producing for many photographers. Josh worked closely with Jason Bell for much of his Los Angeles career acting as a lighting director and producer for many shoots most notably Maleficent press shoots with Angelina Jolie. Josh utilized is production skills to also produce large scale events for top tier brands such as Diesel, Shinola and Ron Herman. Josh is multi-versed in media and entertainment production. Josh’s primary focus is now in his portrait photography and film making business.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My mission is to remind people of our similarities through our humanity and to bring people together through creative projects.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I was highly unaware of all the grant opportunities that are available until very recently. Also, all cities have a chamber of commerce that’s job is to bring commerce into cities. They are a vast abundance of resources for up and coming business people and creatives.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.joshmadson.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/instajoshmadson
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/joshmadsonphotographs
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/joshmadson
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/joshmadson
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CommunityCollage1
• Other: www.communitycollage.org

Image Credits
All photos Josh Madson