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Looking at old pics can be nostalgic. Enough to want to recreate the photo... Sadly, it is impossible, but what you can do is recreate the photo of it. And that's what folks on the subreddit r/PastAndPresentPics do!

Whether it's a man posting a pic of himself in the same place at 1, 27 and 57 years young, or a woman with her dog gracefully entering each year, this group is bound to bring back some sweet memories. We've curated a selection of our favorite posts, so hop on this time machine and let the scrolling begin!

#1

My Wife And I In 1973 And In 2019. I'd Just Turned 16 In The First One, She Was A Month Away From 16. It Was The First Pic Of Us Together, Taken In A Mall Photobooth

My Wife And I In 1973 And In 2019. I'd Just Turned 16 In The First One, She Was A Month Away From 16. It Was The First Pic Of Us Together, Taken In A Mall Photobooth

QtheM Report

The group is 78.9k members strong and they share some precious now-and-then pics put side by side. The term for the phenomenon is called retrophotography. It might give you feelings of nostalgia and it is important because it allows us to relive past moments, remember loved ones, and share stories. 

But what is nostalgia? And how does it influence us? According to Oxford Dictionary, "It is a sentimental longing or wistful affection for a period in the past." People who experience feelings of nostalgia endure a sense of belonging, compare the past and the future, and generally feel like their lives are more meaningful, boosting their self-esteem.

#4

Thanksgiving 2011-2021

Thanksgiving 2011-2021

KolaDesi Report

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#5

A Cowboy And His Tree At 4 And 63 Years Old

A Cowboy And His Tree At 4 And 63 Years Old

SquidLee Report

Rephotography is definitely a way to induce nostalgia and it is cool because it allows you to find your creative outlet in a personal way and share it with others. A lot of people are visual creatures and showing a pic sometimes might be the best way to share memories.

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#9

My Grandfather With His Mini, And Me With Mine

My Grandfather With His Mini, And Me With Mine

XTDVMini Report

While many people fret at old photos and find it hard to grasp how their style or haircut could have looked like that, others embrace it. After all, you're not wearing that outfit or haircut now, and you probably look completely different. This way, the photo could be treated as a sweet memory. Many people like old pictures because they pause time and allow us to remember things. And because a long time ago, it used to be them.

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#10

Same Mom, Same Me, Same Teddy Bear Some 55 Years Apart

Same Mom, Same Me, Same Teddy Bear Some 55 Years Apart

knirkle Report

#11

My Mom And I Getting “Called To The Bar” As Lawyers 35 Years Apart. 1981 —- 2016

My Mom And I Getting “Called To The Bar” As Lawyers 35 Years Apart. 1981 —- 2016

lannart123 Report

#12

So We Recreated A Photo(Me On Top)

So We Recreated A Photo(Me On Top)

Emoje775 Report

There was a study in Britain carried out by CEWE, an award-winning printing company. The findings showed that looking at old photos might be more relaxing than meditating: "Studies show that when people review photos on their phones, this not only triggers feelings of primary and positive emotions such as joy and love, but it also strengthens our memory and relationships. Our photos remind us of people, pets, places and activities that we love as well as helping us to remember the past. This has been shown to reduce our stress and enhance our mood and overall wellbeing."

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#15

My Granddad And His Wheels, ~1950 & 2020

My Granddad And His Wheels, ~1950 & 2020

ragingremark Report

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Ember
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Grandad is just as handsome now as he was back in the day

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It's surprising in a nice way. Meditation might not be everyone's cup of tea, but knowing that looking at old photos makes you relaxed in the same way is a game changer. Just imagine, it's a rainy day, sadly you don't have a fireplace to curl up against, but what you have is a nice cup of tea and an arsenal of cute nostalgic pics. Sounds awesome and it's good for mental health!

#16

Me And My Siblings Recreated This For My Parents As A Gift For Their 50th Anniversary. 1985-2019

Me And My Siblings Recreated This For My Parents As A Gift For Their 50th Anniversary. 1985-2019

CatchResponsible1261 Report

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Tara Moov
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The commitment of the woman on the right in tracking down a green and pink teddy bear sweater and thick pastel aviators is *chef's kiss*

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#17

Me In My Parents Backyard Less Than A Year After We Moved In And Me Almost 30 Years Later When They Sold The House

Me In My Parents Backyard Less Than A Year After We Moved In And Me Almost 30 Years Later When They Sold The House

Redgreen82 Report

#18

Still Friends 20 Years Later

Still Friends 20 Years Later

HSThrowback20years Report

So the next time you see your old photo, don't be quick to cringe, instead embrace the past and remember how things used to be. Check out the rest of the guys who recreated their precious memories on the r/PastAndPresentPics subreddit through photos and if you're keen for more, we have some previous publications on the topic

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#19

Throwback Thursday, 1991 -> 2021, Back At The House I Grew Up In (Queens, NY)

Throwback Thursday, 1991 -> 2021, Back At The House I Grew Up In (Queens, NY)

StatandMelo Report

#20

My Pop And His Mama!

My Pop And His Mama!

Jamescovey Report

#21

My Great-Great Grandfather (Left) 1862, And Me (Right), 2022

My Great-Great Grandfather (Left) 1862, And Me (Right), 2022

Rhaenyc Report

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Auntriarch
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish my mother had done this with a photo of her grandmother, the resemblance was so close

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#24

Giving My Boys A Ride / And My Boys Giving Me A Ride

Giving My Boys A Ride / And My Boys Giving Me A Ride

VisibleRace7849 Report

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More!
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Time/life passes so quickly, we hardly notice it until we see our own photos like this.

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#26

We Recreated A Childhood Photo… From Blue’s Clues Birthday Party To 20 Years Later At Thanksgiving!

We Recreated A Childhood Photo… From Blue’s Clues Birthday Party To 20 Years Later At Thanksgiving!

madiissuun Report

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#28

At My Desk Hardly Working, 1992-2019

At My Desk Hardly Working, 1992-2019

dittidot Report

#29

My Sisters And I Recreated A Photo At The Same Beach In Hawaii (1991-2022)

My Sisters And I Recreated A Photo At The Same Beach In Hawaii (1991-2022)

teenytiny212 Report

#31

Reading The Newspaper With Dad

Reading The Newspaper With Dad

thenjdk Report

#32

My Dad And I. Same Park, 33 Years Apart

My Dad And I. Same Park, 33 Years Apart

BrewCoven Report

#33

A Recreation Almost To The Day Of Our Disneyland Trip In 1999. Slightly Terrifying Are The People In The Background Lining Up Almost Exactly, No?

A Recreation Almost To The Day Of Our Disneyland Trip In 1999. Slightly Terrifying Are The People In The Background Lining Up Almost Exactly, No?

growlface Report

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Cain Hargreaves
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, yeah, the people lining up in the background *is* kinda spooky! I love it.

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#34

20 Years Later

20 Years Later

avka11 Report

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Tempest
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Adorable! The older brother somehow looks the youngest grown up. I have a photo like this with my sister sitting on the front steps of my grandma’s house where we grew up in and I’ve always wanted to recreate it but unfortunately the family member who inherited the house had torn it down this year 😭😭

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#35

Me On The Left, My Son On The Right, 39 Years Apart

Me On The Left, My Son On The Right, 39 Years Apart

EternallyXIII Report

#36

Cousins 1998 & Now! Not Much Has Changed 😜

Cousins 1998 & Now! Not Much Has Changed 😜

dokidokiStrider Report

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VonBlade
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The difference recreating the clothes makes to these pictures is incredible.

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#38

I Run A 1,000 Mile Snowmachine Race In Alaska Called Iron Dog. My Daughter Has Been My Biggest Supporter. ‘14 And ‘22

I Run A 1,000 Mile Snowmachine Race In Alaska Called Iron Dog. My Daughter Has Been My Biggest Supporter. ‘14 And ‘22

SnowgogalAlaska Report

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ybur
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got so confused because I thought that was her age and not the year

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#39

My Boyfriend As A Fresh Baby And Now At 24. Ft Fancy Carpets

My Boyfriend As A Fresh Baby And Now At 24. Ft Fancy Carpets

Clokkers Report

#40

My Unhappy 5th Birthday In 1993, Recreated Today For My 34th

My Unhappy 5th Birthday In 1993, Recreated Today For My 34th

RandyNeil Report

Note: this post originally had 58 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.