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This Photographer Asks People To Reenact Their Old Photographs, Here’s The Result (30 Pics)
Interview With Artist
Irina Werning is a freelance photojournalist from Buenos Aires, Argentina who specializes in personal long-term projects. Her journey into the world of photography began in her 30s when she got her first camera. Since then, she has passionately captured stories through her lens.
In 2011, Werning started a photography project "Back to the Future" which focused on recreating old photographs of people in their current lives. The photographer asked her subjects to find old photos of themselves and then replicate the same scene, pose, and clothing as closely as possible. She captured these images side by side, showing the contrast between the past and the present.
"I love old photos. I admit being a nosey photographer. As soon as I step into someone else’s house, I start sniffing for them. Most of us are fascinated by their retro look but to me, it’s imagining how people would feel and look like if they were to reenact them today… In 2011, I decided to actually do this. So, with my camera, I started inviting people to go back to their future," Werning writes on her website.
More info: irinawerning.com | Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Christoph, 1990-2011, Berlin
We reached out to Werning to learn more about her creative process and herself. "Back to the Future" started in 2011 and gained widespread attention, leading to exhibitions and publications around the world. The photographer shared that it was an exciting project. "I shot 600 pictures in 43 countries. It was like a crash course in fashion, history, culture, anatomy, and the art of making friends."
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#2
Rosana, Marcela And Rodrigo, 1982-2012, Rio De Janeiro
#3
Lukas, 1980-2012, Berlin
Werning told us that the idea for this project struck her while strolling through the streets of Buenos Aires with a friend. "He had tasked me with scanning his mother's wedding negatives, and as we walked, he pointed out the exact spot where one of my favorite pictures had been taken. It was this peculiar accidental shot of his mother beside a trash heap on her way to the church for her wedding. Standing there, I thought, 'What if I recreate this moment? Same location, lighting, and clothes.' Her response? A resounding 'No, thanks.'"
#4
Javier And Jaime, 1976-2012, Madrid
#5
Duquesa De Alba, 1931-2012, Madrid
Charlie the Cat 1 year ago
No, she just aged 81 years. When 90 years old, you reach… Look as good, you will not.
Load More Replies...Some pictures require bravery and a desire to revisit old childhood days. Looking at all the shots, we were wondering how Werning found her subjects. The photographer explained, "I used my website as a platform to announce the countries I planned to visit, prompting people to send me their pictures via email."
#6
Zubrano Family, 1999-2011, Buenos Aires
#7
Snorri, 1991-2012, Reykjavik
Werning shared that she's still in touch with the people she photographed and is waiting for some years to go by to shoot the third picture.
At the moment, the photographer is in the final stages of a long-term project focusing on women with long hair in Latin America. "It’s a story about culture and tradition and the beauty of my country and the whole region." For further exploration of Werning's portfolio, visit her website!
#8
Mechi, 1990-2012, Buenos Aires
#9
Leanne, 1982-2011, New York
#10
Orna And Sharon, 1985-2012, Tel Aviv
#11
Mickey Mouse, 1989-2012, Disneyland Paris
#12
Edwin, 1990-2012, Accra
Bear Hall 1 year ago
"It feels like forever, but I still don't get it. Could you explain it one more time?"
Martine Borge 1 year ago
I don't know why someone down voted you, but I gave an up vote to make it 0. ❤️
Load More Replies... #13
Margot, 1980-2012, Reykjavik
#14
Cristina, 1993-2012, Caracas
Tara Moov 1 year ago
Great job getting all the people in the background to recreate their outfits
SadieCat17 (she/her) 1 year ago
I assume it's a family gathering of some sort
Load More Replies... #15
Sarah And Jim, 1988-2011, Boston
Catharina Geerts 1 year ago
At first glance I thought the one on the right was really the same picture
robin aldrich 1 year ago
She still fits in that dress? I hate her (kidding. I don't really hate her)
#16
Mazarine, 1976-2012, Paris
#17
Carol, 1988-2012, Berlin
#18
Domenica, 1985-2012, Mexico
#19
Ben, 1980-2012, Berlin
#20
Devoto, 1990-2011, Buenos Aires
#21
Nelhe, 1980-2012, Hamburg
#22
Shahar And Mor, 1992-2011, Jerusalem
#23
Giorgio, 1982-2011, Paris
Papa 1 year ago
What's the deal with their hands? They don't look real in either picture, and way too big in the picture of the younger one.
Lotekguy 1 year ago (edited)
The adult version seems a bit sinister. An aspiring Bond villain, perhaps. Or, even worse, an executive in American pharmaceuticals.
Phil 1 year ago
Oh he totally just monologed his brilliant, evil plan to James Bond.
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#24
Kristin And Birta, 1993-2012, Reykjavik
#25
Rikke, 1972-2011, Copenhagen
#26
Vietinghoff Sisters, 1982-2012, Berlin
#27
Isaac, 1991-2011, New York
Catharina Geerts 1 year ago
Probably they put higher pedestals to prevent people from sitting on the statues' lap
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Auntriarch 1 year ago
Museums move stuff around from time to time, I'm guessing this is the nearest they could get
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#28
Ismael And Cindy, 1994-2012, Santiago De Chile
#29
Valy, Herdis And Gudny, 1993-2012, Reykjavik
#30
Malu And Simone, 1997-2012, Disneyland Paris
#32
Cayetano, 1965-2013, Madrid
#36
Ran, 1988-2012, Tel Aviv
🇫🇮 Goth Nurse 🇫🇮 1 year ago
I love to see how the background has changed, I compare them in many of these pics. Like on this one, how the trees have grown over the years.
#38
Nadal, 2012, Paris
pep Ito 1 year ago
In Spanish, and specifically in Spain, we use both the first name and the last name to call someone. So calling Rafael Nadal, Rafa or Nadal is totally valid.
Load More Replies... #39
Damian And Athis, 1992-2012, Disneyland Paris
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What do you think ?
Krissy Bulan 1 year ago
My husband (right) and his friends...30 years in between. 426828280_...11c23f.jpg 
imsouravmitra 1 year ago
We all saw the recreations, and my question is "how do they find the same clothes in such different sizes?" I mean I cannot fit in the clothes I wore last week, but here we see clothes with the same prints as a kid's and an adult's..
Devyn Nagy 1 year ago
Her attention to recreating the little details is awesome. Also, I will always be fascinated by the way people change as the grow up/age, but they still are the same people.
SirWriteALot 1 year ago
How the heck did they pull off the clothes? They're like ... identical, most of the time, but bigger. Well done!!
Auntriarch 1 year ago
Three old school friends are getting together in May, maybe we should go through the old photos....
Krissy Bulan 1 year ago
My husband (right) and his friends...30 years in between. 426828280_...11c23f.jpg
imsouravmitra 1 year ago
We all saw the recreations, and my question is "how do they find the same clothes in such different sizes?" I mean I cannot fit in the clothes I wore last week, but here we see clothes with the same prints as a kid's and an adult's..
Devyn Nagy 1 year ago
Her attention to recreating the little details is awesome. Also, I will always be fascinated by the way people change as the grow up/age, but they still are the same people.
SirWriteALot 1 year ago
How the heck did they pull off the clothes? They're like ... identical, most of the time, but bigger. Well done!!
Auntriarch 1 year ago
Three old school friends are getting together in May, maybe we should go through the old photos....
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