September 10-16, 2026 | $1500/show assignmentFebruary 10-16, 2027
6 Show Assignments Per Season
New York Fashion Week
Backstage Experience
What to ExpectDesigned for photographers interested in fashion, portraiture, and visual storytelling, this experience offers rare access to one of the most dynamic creative environments in image-making. Participants will be assigned to a New York Fashion Week show and invited to document the moments unfolding backstage: the preparation, anticipation, collaboration, and artistry that define fashion week from the inside.
Participants should reserve at least two days within the September or February date windows, as show assignments and scheduling are determined by the final fashion week calendar. The schedule is typically confirmed approximately 7 days prior to the start of fashion week.
Required Application Materials
• A brief statement outlining why you would like to participate
• A portfolio selection of 10–15 images
• A short biography
To apply, please email the materials above to info@depaolapictures.com. Should you receive acceptance to this program, you will be asked to register within one week of receipt of this notification. Selected applicants will receive additional program information and registration details upon registration.
❋ A pre-production meeting in ManhattanA coffee meeting will be scheduled with production prior to your show assignment with production to discuss backstage etiquette, schedule flow, designer assignments, and other pertinent details.
❋ Backstage New York Fashion Week shooting assignment Each backstage experience will take place for approximately 2-3 hours per show assignment. Accepted participants are welcome to register for more than one show assignment. Please note that the $1500 tuition is the experience assignment per show.
❋ Follow-Up ReviewFollowing your backstage experience, participants will schedule a 1-Hour follow up zoom review session to discuss the completed body of work from the experience.
❋ What's Included1 x Pre Production Briefing
1 x Backstage Show Assignment
1 × 1-Hour Follow-Up Online Review
Please note that airfare, ground transportation, accommodations, and meals are not included.
❋ Experience TopicsCollaborating with a fashion team
Shooting backstage in a fast paced, action packed environment
Finding authenticity and story backstage
Discovering your voice through fashion as cultural medium
Production and shooting protocol
Fashion industry trends and insights
The purpose behind fashion week
New York Fashion Week Backstage Experience
It’s In The Details
Weather: For September, New York City is still hanging on to the summer heat, but be sure to pack perhaps a light sweater or jacket for backstage areas that may have cold AC. For February, dress in lots of warm layers with a coat. New York City will be settled into winter weather.
Gear: The backstage environment is often in tight spaces. Pack the gear that you can keep on your person backstage.
Walking: Bring comfortable shoes that you can stand in for 3 hours backstage.
Wardrobe: Crew backstage must wear casual all black clothing.
Production Protocol: All participants will be thoroughly briefed on production protocol backstage and will be expected to follow all such guidelines in order to provide the most incredible experience. Call times for your assigned show or presentation will typically be two to three hours prior to show time, with the show lasting up to an hour. Prior to your assigned show(s), you will meet with Mark de Paola and the production team to discuss backstage etiquette, pacing, etc. Please note that show schedules and locations are subject to last minute changes and participants should understand and accommodate flexibility. This experience provides backstage access (not front of house/runway). The final backstage show assignments will be provided 1 week prior to the start of the program. A full detailed schedule will be provided at that time from production. Show call times range all day every day for anywhere from 6AM to 8PM into the night and take place all over the city. There is no longer a single centralized location for New York Fashion Week.
See differently.
The Fine Print
CANCELLATION POLICY
Wide Open Art experiences are intentionally limited in size to ensure meaningful creative exchange. Because each registration reserves a place within a small cohort and allows us to confirm artists, venues, and production commitments, participants are asked to review the following cancellation policy before registering.
Full tuition is due at the time of registration.
Participant Cancellations
More than 60 days before the experience: Full refund.
30–60 days before the experience: 50% refund.
Less than 30 days before the experience: No refund.
If a participant cancels and Wide Open Art is able to fill the space from the waitlist, Wide Open Art may, at its sole discretion, issue a credit toward a future Wide Open Art experience. Credits are valid only for experiences produced solely by Wide Open Art and may not be applied to partnership experiences.
Experience Cancellation
Should Wide Open Art cancel an experience due to force majeure, artist illness, insufficient enrollment, or other unforeseen circumstances beyond our reasonable control, participants will receive a full refund of all fees paid to Wide Open Art. Wide Open Art is not responsible for airfare, accommodations, travel insurance, or any other expenses incurred outside of the experience fee. Participants are strongly encouraged to purchase comprehensive travel insurance.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By registering for a Wide Open Art experience, participants acknowledge that they have read and agree to these Terms & Conditions.
Registration & Payment
Registration is confirmed upon receipt of full payment unless otherwise stated. Enrollment is limited and spaces are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Participant Responsibility
Participants are responsible for ensuring they are physically able to participate in the experience and for arriving with the appropriate equipment, documentation, and travel arrangements.
Participants are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism, respect, and consideration for fellow participants, artists, hosts, staff, and local communities. Wide Open Art reserves the right to remove any participant whose conduct is disruptive, unsafe, or inappropriate. No refund will be issued in such cases.
Assumption of Risk
Participation may involve travel, walking, uneven terrain, changing weather conditions, and other activities inherent to cultural and photographic experiences. Participants voluntarily assume all risks associated with their participation.
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Wide Open Art, its artists, employees, contractors, partners, hosts, and venues shall not be liable for any injury, illness, accident, theft, loss, damage to personal property, travel delays, cancellations, or other expenses arising from participation in an experience.
Travel
Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for all transportation, accommodations (unless expressly included), passports, visas, travel documentation, and travel insurance.
Experience Changes
Wide Open Art reserves the right to make reasonable changes to artists, schedules, locations, accommodations, or experience content when necessary to ensure the successful delivery of an experience.
Force Majeure
Wide Open Art shall not be responsible for delays, cancellations, or modifications resulting from events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, severe weather, governmental restrictions, strikes, pandemics, war, civil unrest, transportation disruptions, venue closures, or artist illness.
Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.