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Photographer Peter Zelewski has spent the last couple of years exploring the special world of identical twins, questioning not only the incredible bond between them, but also what makes them different from each other as their unique personalities shine through.

Peter has a passion for street portraiture, and chooses to capture his subjects outdoors in natural light. He captures identical twins from different ages, backgrounds and gender, all found in the diverse and cosmopolitan city of London, where Detroit-born Peter has lived since the 1980’s.

“When I first started the project, it was without a doubt the visual attraction which I found most interesting when taking portraits of twins,” Peter told Huck. “But, as the series progressed, it was the subtle differences that became equally interesting.”

While the twins are deliberately dressed similarly, even affecting similar poses to highlight their togetherness, Peter manages to capture their individuality too, in the subtle differences in expression and mood that they display. “One example is 15-year-old brothers Duke and Joe. Although they are identical twins they couldn’t be more different, both in their physical appearance and personalities. By stripping down the background and photographing the boys in plain t-shirts, I was able to let their different personalities shine through.”

To capture so much in one frame, on top of the stunning aesthetic quality of the photos themselves, is an impressive feat indeed. Peter is exhibiting some of his portraits in an exhibition at the Hoxton Hotel Gallery in Shoreditch, London. For more info, visit thehoxton.com.

Scroll down to check out Alike But Not Alike for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!

More info: Website | Twitter | Instagram

#1

Joe And Duke

Joe And Duke

Peter Zelewski Report

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Lilly W.
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the only picture that shows how different they are.... FYI, the young person on the left knows exactly who he or she is; no need to feel sorry and hope she "finds happiness" who are we to decide there's no happiness within them already?

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Liz Pawsey
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hmmmm...John Smith...very original name and, with negative 556 points on your profile, I pronounce you TROLL.

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marnidarr
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is one shot in their lives, but I'm in love with the twin on our right. His body language is a subtle extreme of sorts. The defiant but scowling look on his face and the not too tightly clenched hand. I think it means he's established himself as his brother's protector and a bit of daring you to try to make him prove it.

chilljilly_1 avatar
JDawn
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It does look as if one is taller then the other. Unless one has shoes on. I always wondered if identical twins grew at the same rate and if there was a height difference after puberty....

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Dana Kessler
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Monozygomatic twins are not as identical as people think since in the womb different genetic traits can be triggered during growth, there are identical, semi identical and mirror identical depending on the split and triggers

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Carrie Wayt
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have never heard of identical twins being different genders...

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Rama Llama
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They aren't, they're of course biologically same gender. Other one just find's herself born into a wrong one. Hopefully she will find peace and happiness in her journey, it's never an easy way even when it's the right one.

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chilljilly_1 avatar
JDawn
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm almost sorry I asked. I'm more confused now then before and the subject matter seems to have upset some people. As far as I'm concerned if they're happy that's all that should matter & I'm 100% sure that God doesn't make mistakes. I hope these kids never read this. If it bothers me how some "adult" people reacted I'm quite certain it would bother one of them. As far as the first person who answered my original question...Thank You

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Cindy Davenport
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not commenting on the “gender” issue here. But I will say that I don’t know very many young kids/teens that really “know who they are” at that age. I think society has told them that they have to choose and whatever they might be going through at that particular time shapes their current decision. I think society needs to leave kids alone and let them be kids!

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Jane Kolonsky
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s quite a “no comment “ on the gender issue. Not that I am disagreeing.

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Annett Nyrud
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uh ... Really folks. Do you have to be a girl og gay to let your hair get long? I know a lot of men with l8ng hair, few of them gay. And I guess just as many gay men have long hair as short hair, or something in between

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Karin Morris
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I couldn't care less what his sexuality is, none of you should. They are both very beautiful

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Shawn Wright
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the young one on the left looks like they would become a very pretty young lady...I wish them the best!

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Sarah Jarrett
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you read what the photographer wrote, he does say BROTHERS Joe and Duke =) now stop arguing over something that is photography and meant to be beautiful.

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Pamela Metz
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe they are both female? Who knows, why does anyone care?

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Pamela Metz
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe they are biologically both females? Who knows, who cares. They are adorable.

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Jo Bebe
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Two brothers that really do look identical !! even with one dressed like a girl!

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Brandi VanSteenwyk
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The honesty here resonates with me. In EVERY male pair of identical twins I have ever known (more than 10 pairs), one has been much more effeminate than the other or straight-out homosexual. In fact, I'm married to the straight one of a pair.

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Angie Brown
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the honesty and individuality of this photo! Stay strong young lady and know your brother will always have your back from the looks of it❤️

chilljilly_1 avatar
JDawn
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One thing does bother me. As a female...I always get very jealous of the fact that most males have much longer eyelashes then me. Look at him...gorgeous !!

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Gayle Bynum Cardosa
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These two boys are Joe and Duke Brooks of London. Their mother is a former Playboy bunny. I think they're pretty used to being photographed. I was curious about them so I looked them up.

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rustic raven
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ilove these two ,they are like night & day an proud of it you go guys ;=]]

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Sharie Plewa
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why are the parents allowing such a young child to wear makeup? i dont care if they are trans, but stop making them grow up so fast

tracey_barnett76 avatar
Tracey Barnett
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If that’s a girl, they are NOT identical. They are Fraternal. Identical twins are girl girl or boy boy.

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Holly Llama
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sick of seeing little boys in drag/makeup. Everyone acts like this is "brave", etc. It's not. It's warped and so is anyone that doesn't see a problem with it.

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mekalaw avatar
Bella
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, they are both boys, its just that the left boy is finding who he is.

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R Ross
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6 years ago

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Well if identical twins can have one that's gay and one straight, then gayness is not genetic, because they have exactly the same genes.

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Dana Kessler
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Genetic triggering happens in the womb, just because they have the same genes does not mean that all the same ones were triggered in both monozygomatic births

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Lulik
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not exactly. The name suggests us that in a physical way it's a boy, but probably with gender identity problem. I hope that he (well, she!) will be strong enough to deal with this the future. On the photo, we can see that those siblings love each other, so I suppose that brother will help her to get trough this

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Cyndy De Camp
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6 years ago

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They are identical, gender, color, size, but, at least you can tell them apart. The botox.

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#3

Aveah And Anaiah

Aveah And Anaiah

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#5

Delilah And Tullulah

Delilah And Tullulah

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Justine Nicole
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

None of these twins but the first 2 look different at all I thought they were the highlighting "differences"

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#7

Ronja And Vår

Ronja And Vår

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#11

Yasmin And Leylah

Yasmin And Leylah

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#12

Hermon And Heroda

Hermon And Heroda

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Alia G.
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Their hair and dresses remind me of the music artist “Jain”. Beautiful!

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#15

Polly And Sophie

Polly And Sophie

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Mhiller17
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this ones cute because they both got the same tattoos and dyed and styled their hair the same way :)

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#16

Orla And Clara

Orla And Clara

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#19

Rebecca And Edwina

Rebecca And Edwina

Peter Zelewski Report

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BarryAllenTheFlash
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those eyes are gorgeous! I love the way the snow in the background kind of sets everything off! It makes the blue in their eyes, and the subtle differences in them stand out!

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#21

Chè And Leonie

Chè And Leonie

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#26

Katherine And Claire

Katherine And Claire

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Mary Pat Mitchell
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i love that their parts are on opposite sides of their heads.. for some reason these two are my favorites. I could look at the subtle differences for hours.

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#27

Clinton And Lee

Clinton And Lee

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earringnut
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6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they both look good but the one on the the right has an amazing jaw line.

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