Josie Fouts, future 2028 Gold Medal Olympian... mark my word
Portrait Session with Para-Olympian Climber Josie Fouts
A story about strength, grit, and the pursuit of the 2028 LA Games
There are some portrait sessions where you’re simply documenting a person. And then there are sessions where you’re documenting a mission.
Photographing Josie Fouts feels like the latter.
Josie is a para-athlete with an extraordinary story. Born with an upper-limb difference, she has spent much of her life redefining what strength, adaptability, and athleticism look like. I mean it’s clear that Josie is very driven by spontaneity and by sheer will power… She used to be a pro cyclist just because she was pretty good at it and someone told her she could get sponsored… so she did. Over the years, she has competed at elite levels and is part of a growing movement of adaptive athletes pushing their sports forward. She has previously competed internationally in adaptive competition and continues to pursue high-level sport with the goal of representing the United States.
Now, her focus is climbing—training with the long-term goal of earning a spot on Team USA for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
oh… and she models too.
And this portrait session was about capturing that journey and updating her shots for the model agency.
Photographing an Athlete Who Redefines Limits
Athletes are fascinating to photograph because their bodies tell stories, just like your scars and tattoos do… and she has all those stories to tell —scars from accidents, tattoos, surgeries, etc. The way she moves, the way she holds herself, even the stillness between movements—it all carries the imprint of thousands of hours of training.
With Josie, that story is amplified.
During the shoot, that mindset was immediately obvious.
There was no hesitation stepping onto the wall. It was matter of fact. No pause after showing her the poses I had in mind. Just: “yeah. got it. great. Let’s do it.”
That rhythm became the heartbeat of the session.
Strength That Goes Beyond the Physical
One of the most compelling things about photographing para-athletes is the way their presence challenges the assumptions we often carry about ability.
Josie has spent years pushing through those assumptions herself.
For much of her life, she competed alongside able-bodied athletes, refusing to let her limb difference define her limits. in fact, she has never seen herself as disabled. Over time, that mindset evolved into something even more powerful—embracing adaptive sport while advocating for more inclusion and innovation in equipment and training for para-athletes.
That combination of determination and openness made the portraits feel honest. And frankly, I’m also known now ampng my friends for these honest portraits. I showed a few screenshots to my friend Janet and she went: “oh… that’s an Antoine portrait.”
These weren’t just photos of a climber.
They were photos of someone actively shaping what her future could look like.
The Road to LA 2028
The 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles represent a huge moment for adaptive sports in the United States. For athletes like Josie, it’s not just another competition cycle—it’s an opportunity to compete on home soil and inspire the next generation of adaptive climbers.
The training is intense.
Strength, endurance, technical skill, and mental focus all have to come together at the highest level. But talking with Josie, it’s clear the goal isn’t just medals.
It’s impact.
Every climb, every competition, and every story shared helps make adaptive sports more visible. It opens doors for athletes who might not yet see themselves represented.
Why Portraits Like This Matter
As a photographer, sessions like this remind me why portraiture is powerful.
A portrait can do more than show what someone looks like.
It can show what they stand for.
Josie’s story is about resilience, curiosity, and the belief that limitations are often just problems waiting to be solved.
Standing behind the camera, watching her “matter-of-factness”, it’s impossible not to feel that she can do whatever she pleases.
And if the trajectory continues the way it’s going now, there’s a very real chance we’ll be watching Josie Fouts climbing for Team USA in Los Angeles in 2028.
If that happens, I’ll be able to look back at these portraits and remember this moment.
San Diego Portrait Photography for Athletes and Creators
San Diego is filled with incredible individuals pursuing big goals — athletes, entrepreneurs, creatives, and adventurers.
Portrait photography is one of the best ways to document that journey.
Whether it’s:
an athlete training for competition
a creative building a brand
an entrepreneur telling their story
or someone simply wanting meaningful portraits
The goal is always the same: create images that feel authentic and powerful.
Sessions with 147photos are designed to go beyond traditional portraits.
They’re about capturing the story behind the person… and I’m no stranger to want to do this: check out the portraits of my father series on my other website.
Book an Athlete Portrait Session in San Diego
If you're an athlete in San Diego — adaptive or otherwise — your story deserves to be documented.
Portrait sessions are ideal for:
Climbers
Surfers
Runners
Endurance athletes
Adaptive competitors
Personal brands and sponsored athletes
Whether you’re training for competition, building a personal brand, or simply want portraits that capture your dedication to your craft, we can create something unique.
Let’s tell your story.
👉 Inquire about a San Diego portrait session with 147photos and create images that reflect the work, the passion, and the journey behind your goals.
