“I swear I saw someone that looked just like you the other day.” Have you heard this before? I know I have at least once or twice. When that’s happened, curiosity washes over me. I want to see! Or do I? I know I have a bit of a skewed idea of what I look or sound like to others. Meeting “myself” in the face of that I’d likely say: “Is that what you think I look like??”.

Supposedly, we all have a doppelgänger — a person not related but whom we share a strong physical resemblance to. Although I can’t find this anecdote credited to a particular person, “some scientists” theorize we all have SIX look-alikes based on the world population and limited combination of genetic variations. Photographer François Brunelle has built a strong case of his own, documenting over 200 instances. Some are more uncanny than others — eye shape, curve of a smile, crook of the nose. Others benefit from styling to help bridge the physical gaps (although, Brunelle states they come to the shoot with their own clothing so presumably there’s no advance coordinating). Staging or no staging, it is remarkable… how unremarkable our DNA may be. Or perhaps this project illustrates what unites us.

Do you have a twin lurking out there? This site might be a good place to start.

Double Take

Postcard Club

Barrel of Links: Your Weekly Brain Escape