Portraits of Identical Twins Reveal Their Similarities and Differences

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Delilah and Tululah

For the past three years, Detroit-born, London-based photographer Peter Zelewski has been exploring the similarities and differences between sets of identical twins in his ongoing portrait photography series, Alike But Not Alike. Captured on the streets of London against neutral backdrops, Zelewski’s duos are of different ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, and styled to dress in matching clothing. This style puts the focus on the subjects, showcasing the siblings’ unique, unbreakable bond and incredible likeness, but also inviting the viewer to take a closer look and discover each pair’s subtle differences.

Zelewski first became intrigued by identical twins when he met 14-year-old twin sisters Kira and Taya. Drawn to their distinct curly red hair and freckled faces, the photographer explains, “They had everything I look for in portraiture. Connection, strength, power, directness, intrigue, and a certain amount of unsettledness which I knew would command attention.” During their photoshoot, Zelewski described their incredible bond: “Their closeness and their uniformity gave the twins a certain air of confidence which seemed to invisibly unite them as one, it was fascinating. Needless to say, I was hooked.”

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Kira and Taya

Since beginning the project in 2015, Zelewski has now photographed over 40 sets of twins, some of which have shared stories of twin telepathy. For example, Eritrean-born sisters, Hermon and Heroda both lost their hearing at the same time when they were only 7 years old. Whereas sisters Chloe and Leah are so close they often find themselves finishing each other’s sentences and claim to even feel each other’s pain. The series also includes Sophie and Polly, a pair of monozygotic twins who are so alike they have virtually identical fingerprints, and practically indistinguishable DNA.

However, the more time Zelewski spent with identical siblings, the more he started notice each pair’s individual traits. In one case, the photographer claims that 15-year-old brothers Duke and Joe “couldn’t be more different, both in their physical appearance and personalities.” He explains, “By stripping down the background and photographing the boys in plain t-shirts, I was able to let their different personalities shine through.”

If you’d like to take a closer look, the Alike But Not Alike series is currently on display at The Hoxton in London until May 22, 2018.

For the past three years, photographer Peter Zelewski has been exploring the similarities and differences between sets of identical twins in an ongoing portrait photography series titled Alike But Not Alike.

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Devontay and Dijon

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Reggie and Mickie

Each photo showcases the sibling’s unique, unbreakable bond and incredible likeness.

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Sharmeena and Ridhwana

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Hermon and Heroda

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Clinton and Lee

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Bill and Toby

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Che and Leonie

The portraits also invite the viewer to take a closer look and discover each pair’s subtle differences.

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Duke and Joe

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Orla and Clara

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Ally and Naomi

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Chloe and Leah

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Irene and Sharon

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Jerome and Joel

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Karim and Amine

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Katerina and Maria

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Polly and Sophie

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Rebecca and Edwina

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Var and Ronja

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Violetta and Irina

Identical Twins Portrait Photography by Peter Zelewski

Yasmin and Laila

Peter Zelewski: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Peter Zelewski.

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