A World of Lookalikes: One Photographer’s 25-Year Quest to Capture Doppelgängers

Have you ever contemplated if there is an individual who resembles you perfectly somewhere else on the planet?

Artist Francois Brunelle has perpetually been intrigued by this concept, deriving immense pleasure from recognizing resemblances among total strangers. Even now, Brunelle, hailing from Canada, reports to Newsweek that observing two individuals who are so similar “still blows [his] mind.”

For the past 25 years, this fascination has fueled his photography project, I’m Not a Look-Alike. After capturing his inaugural look-alike photo in 1999, the 74-year-old artist has photographed an impressive 250 pairs of doppelgängers worldwide.

The expression doppelgänger is of German origin, meaning “double walker,” which signifies the presence of a spiritual twin.

Brunelle has also been subject to these comparisons, as he frequently found himself compared to British actor Rowan Atkinson, known for portraying Mr. Bean. For quite some time, he failed to notice the resemblance until one day he turned on the television and mistakenly believed his image was appearing on-screen—only to recognize it was Atkinson.

“I watched it, and I said, that’s me, even down to the way he was dressed,” Brunelle expressed. “I was so amazed to see my doppelgänger; that sparked the idea to locate two look-alikes and bring them together.

He elaborated: “The essence of my project and its identity is to inquire, who am I? What are we? Are we who we believe we are?”

Initially, Brunelle had a few individuals in mind that he wanted to get involved. However, as he conducted more photoshoots, the media interest and promotions grew, leading people to eventually approach him.

Now, Brunelle has documented 250 pairs, even bringing people together with their doppelgängers during the photoshoots.

Obtaining The Perfect Image

Initially, Brunelle envisioned introducing people to their doubles and concentrating on their shock. He anticipated capturing their astonished expressions, but presently he realizes the true elegance lies in their commonalities.

He remarked to Newsweek: “Some of the look-alikes meet for the first time in the studio, but some are acquainted previously. Those who meet in the studio are stunned for a brief moment, and that’s it.”

“Surprisingly, they bond really well solely based on their similarity. It’s two individuals who appear alike, and there’s nothing intimidating about it. They interact positively and sometimes hesitate to leave the studio,” he added.

Brunelle requests each look-alike to bring three attires of varying colors to the shoot. He generally spends an hour or two photographing and engages in conversation to help them feel at ease, as he notes they “become more authentic.”

One of the individuals Brunelle connected with his doppelgänger was Paul Harris, 57, from the United Kingdom. He journeyed to Montreal in May 2023 to take part in the project, sharing with Newsweek that he experienced a genuine “thrill and excitement” upon meeting his look-alike.

It could have been a bit uncomfortable, but Harris mentioned Brunelle possesses “a gift for making people feel relaxed.”

“Without a doubt, there is an element of novelty to the project, as individuals confront a stranger that they have a resemblance to. However, there’s also a significant message regarding our shared humanity,” he stated.

After the initial astonishment of encountering a “real-life duplicate” of himself, Harris was engulfed with intrigue. Did his doppelgänger share the same mannerisms, the same humor, perhaps even similar interests? That is the wonder of Brunelle’s artistry.

Although Harris didn’t maintain contact with his Montreal doppelgänger, he was thrilled with the photos. The straightforward, black-and-white images lack any background context, as Brunelle allows the resemblance of the subjects to convey the entire narrative.

“François presents us with two subjects, their names, and the cities in which they reside,” Harris continued. “That’s all, nothing further. All other identifiers—religion, socioeconomic background, political identity, sexual orientation, or nationality—are omitted.”

Having photographed numerous doppelgängers over the previous two decades, Brunelle finds it challenging to select his favorites. Nonetheless, a few certainly stand out.

“The German gentlemen I captured a long time ago remain a personal favorite because they appeared so stereotypical, and their attire makes for a good shot,” Brunelle conveyed to Newsweek. “Another notable pair I documented in Barcelona features two men with bare, hairy chests. When I commenced the project, I sought a picture like that. They resemble each other as closely as possible yet are distinct individuals.”

The pairings need not be indistinguishable, and Brunelle enjoys discovering duos who exhibit similarities but also encompass several differences. That contributes to their narrative and individuality.

Millions have viewed Brunelle’s work throughout the years, and he shares photographs of the look-alikes on Instagram (@francoisbrunelle.doubles).

The project is not concluded, however, and he continues to seek out more doppelgängers.

Are Their Resemblances Only Skin Deep?

The resemblances among Brunelle’s doppelgängers are undeniable on the surface. But do they extend beyond merely looking alike?

During his time with them, Brunelle noted striking similarities in their behaviors and interests.

He added: “There were two men with the same first name, both had wives named Francine, and each had a teenage son of the same age. They became friends immediately, and they maintained contact for years.

“Sometimes they share identical passions. I photographed one individual who presented the weather on television. He had a

He presented a small pamphlet to the other individual, who remarked that during his childhood, he would note down the weather on a daily basis. “That was quite a humorous coincidence,” Brunelle remarked.

Numerous look-alikes have kept in contact with one another following the photoshoots. Even for those who haven’t maintained communication, Brunelle is thrilled to gift them this momento, as he expresses it’s “something they will cherish forever.”

Brunelle’s endeavors influenced a 2022 study on genetic relationships conducted by researchers at the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute in Spain. Participants were requested to fill out lifestyle surveys, and their photographs were examined through facial recognition technology to uncover the actual degree of their resemblance.

The findings of the study, which appeared in the journal Cell Reports, indicated that 16 out of the 32 pairs received scores similar to those attained by identical twins. Those who exhibited the greatest similarities also shared significant segments of their genomes and DNA patterns. Doppelgängers were more inclined to possess traits like height, weight, and even levels of education in common.

Researchers concluded that look-alikes can not only provide insights into genetic similarities that could further medical discoveries, but they can also shed light on the extent of our genetic constitution that is inherited or “acquired throughout our lives.”

Transforming the Perception of Doppelgängers

For numerous years, doppelgängers have been depicted in a negative light, often seen as adversaries or ominous entities.

However, Brunelle is convinced there is something remarkable in discovering total strangers who bear a resemblance. Through his projects, he aims to demonstrate that doppelgängers need not be of the same gender, having discovered both male and female look-alikes.

When he initially embarked on this venture, he never anticipated it would progress this far, yet now he claims to have “500 new acquaintances.” The images will eventually be compiled into a book, and Brunelle aspires to showcase them in an exhibit.

“I didn’t contemplate the ultimate objective when I began, and I assumed I would forget about the individuals I photographed. But I now coexist with their images,” he stated.