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!
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Joe And Duke
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?
Hmmmm...John Smith...very original name and, with negative 556 points on your profile, I pronounce you TROLL.
Load More Replies...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.
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....
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
Load More Replies...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.
Load More Replies...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
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!
That’s quite a “no comment “ on the gender issue. Not that I am disagreeing.
Load More Replies...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
I think it's the makeup and eyebrows rather than just the hair!!!
Load More Replies...I couldn't care less what his sexuality is, none of you should. They are both very beautiful
the young one on the left looks like they would become a very pretty young lady...I wish them the best!
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.
Maybe they are biologically both females? Who knows, who cares. They are adorable.
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.
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❤️
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.
Ilove these two ,they are like night & day an proud of it you go guys ;=]]
This guy on the left is really kreepy, shoudn't wear make up before he hits 18...
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
If that’s a girl, they are NOT identical. They are Fraternal. Identical twins are girl girl or boy boy.
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.
No, they are both boys, its just that the left boy is finding who he is.
Load More Replies...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
Load More Replies...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
Load More Replies...Chloe And Leah
Aveah And Anaiah
Reggie And Mickie
Delilah And Tullulah
None of these twins but the first 2 look different at all I thought they were the highlighting "differences"
Tomo And Lorenzo
Ronja And Vår
Cristian And George
Kira And Taya
Devontay And Dijon
Yasmin And Leylah
Hermon And Heroda
Irene And Sharon
Jerome And Joel
Polly And Sophie
Orla And Clara
Sharmeena And Ridhwana
Violeta And Irina
Rebecca And Edwina
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!
Callum And Max
Chè And Leonie
Katerina And Maria
Karim And Amine
Bill And Toby
Julia And Sophie
Katherine And Claire
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.
Clinton And Lee
they both look good but the one on the the right has an amazing jaw line.
The photographer posed them well and selected common backgrounds to create continuity. I just don't care for the sad expressions. The whole series left me feeling unsettled. Maybe that was the goal? I'd rather feel happy. 😉
Is it bad that all I could think was "which one is the evil twin?" for every picture?
The title is misleading; most of the twins not only look but dress identically. I think a more accurate title would be something like "absurdly attractive well dressed twins." Not as pithy, I know
You won't know the pleasure I feel as an identical twin watching identical twins. 😀
Question: If your identical twin wore glasses, would you? I have always been curious if identical twins had identically structured eyes and had the same vision.
Load More Replies...This is a weird experience. If you would see them apart from each other? You couldn't tell the difference. Somehow, when they are next to each other and wear the same clothes, you can see their differences. Each of them own their personality.
This is true. In college there were twins in my year. One was in my class, the other in another class, but the same study. I always hung out with them. I saw so much more differences than similarities. And when one of them came up our side from a distance, (while we waited for the teacher outside of the classroom) my classmates were always discussing: "hey there's V", (using the first letter of their names). Another classmate: "no that's D". And kept discussing until the girl stopped at our class or walked by and said Hi to me. While I could tell the difference from not even seeing the face properly or not seeing the face at all. It was always funny hearing them discuss and just say nothing, letting them guess which of the 2 it was. Though sometimes I just said it because the discussing annoyed me.
Load More Replies...The twins are all lovely, but I wish I could see some pics of twins acting more natural! Every twin-themed photo series out there is the two of them dressed identically, dead-pan expressions, trying to look serene or ethereal. I'd love a series that's more like the title suggests: show them in their individual favorite styles. Let their different personalities come out in their facial expressions, maybe show their hobbies or interests a bit. My older sisters are twins are look very alike, but have super different styles and interests. They hated being treated like copies of each other.
after reading this, i have one question...is there such a thing as ugly twins???
again i cant see the point!!! only photo #1 showed what the headline says the rest of those twins are absolutely the same
Twins show how different they are.... by looking exactly the same. What a poorly named group of pictures! The only two who looked remotely different to each other were the first two. And, just adding my opinion here, I don't think it's healthy to dress twins in the same clothes. Children and people want their own identities and dressing them the same as each other causes tension. How are they supposed to develop a sense of self when they're constantly being made to feel the same?
I've anyways had a harder time telling "identical" twins apart when they AREN'T together and they ate just kind of sitting there. They don't move the same, they don't use the same vocal inflections. It's not really that hard if you actually know them. It's can be rather obvious and easy to tell them apart if you actually give a damn or know them. Kinda like having grey tabbies or black cats actually. I can tell my "run of the mill" kitties apart just by how they hold their tail. If you care about someone it's really simple. Unless they are babies. That it's some expert mode stuff. Hated twins when I worked daycare as a teen. Hey it pukes,poops and cries and that one...pukes,poops and cries...oh c**p, somebody call their Mom! *mom on the phone* "Damian has the diaper rash on the left butt cheek Darian has the snot nose".
Kids are gross. They tell you that young bucks that fact in sex ed these days?
Load More Replies...The pics are really beautiful but the article title isn't really accurate as most of these twins are not that different at all.
Well, the title is not so great for this article as there are very little twins that are looking a bit different. The rest is pretty much the same...
Shows how different they are? They are dressed the same and look identical. The fact that they all have a bored, or angry look seems to show regret for their lot in life and disgust at people's interest in twins. What is the point to this exhibition.
I'm a bit annoyed that one, you've instructed them to all pose to look like they're serial killers and, two, um....where are the differences? Subtle differences is what you were trying to present? Then entitle it that. Photo one was an artistic presentation that intrigued me. After that, you lost me.
But we got only their names and a picture (and most of them were identical in styles and positions) which only shows us the physical similarity, not the differences? There were Duke and Joe which were different as you told in text, but I would really loved to see or hear about the other ones too.
Most of them do, I agree. But I have to say, that most of the time you see more differences when you really know them and hang out with them. And not just only seeing a picture of strangers. If you just at one picture of strangers, they often look alike more.
Load More Replies...Twins may look the same however, they have different personalities
I think they look extremely uncomfortable or awkward instead of pissed, but something definitely looks "off"
Load More Replies...The photographer posed them well and selected common backgrounds to create continuity. I just don't care for the sad expressions. The whole series left me feeling unsettled. Maybe that was the goal? I'd rather feel happy. 😉
Is it bad that all I could think was "which one is the evil twin?" for every picture?
The title is misleading; most of the twins not only look but dress identically. I think a more accurate title would be something like "absurdly attractive well dressed twins." Not as pithy, I know
You won't know the pleasure I feel as an identical twin watching identical twins. 😀
Question: If your identical twin wore glasses, would you? I have always been curious if identical twins had identically structured eyes and had the same vision.
Load More Replies...This is a weird experience. If you would see them apart from each other? You couldn't tell the difference. Somehow, when they are next to each other and wear the same clothes, you can see their differences. Each of them own their personality.
This is true. In college there were twins in my year. One was in my class, the other in another class, but the same study. I always hung out with them. I saw so much more differences than similarities. And when one of them came up our side from a distance, (while we waited for the teacher outside of the classroom) my classmates were always discussing: "hey there's V", (using the first letter of their names). Another classmate: "no that's D". And kept discussing until the girl stopped at our class or walked by and said Hi to me. While I could tell the difference from not even seeing the face properly or not seeing the face at all. It was always funny hearing them discuss and just say nothing, letting them guess which of the 2 it was. Though sometimes I just said it because the discussing annoyed me.
Load More Replies...The twins are all lovely, but I wish I could see some pics of twins acting more natural! Every twin-themed photo series out there is the two of them dressed identically, dead-pan expressions, trying to look serene or ethereal. I'd love a series that's more like the title suggests: show them in their individual favorite styles. Let their different personalities come out in their facial expressions, maybe show their hobbies or interests a bit. My older sisters are twins are look very alike, but have super different styles and interests. They hated being treated like copies of each other.
after reading this, i have one question...is there such a thing as ugly twins???
again i cant see the point!!! only photo #1 showed what the headline says the rest of those twins are absolutely the same
Twins show how different they are.... by looking exactly the same. What a poorly named group of pictures! The only two who looked remotely different to each other were the first two. And, just adding my opinion here, I don't think it's healthy to dress twins in the same clothes. Children and people want their own identities and dressing them the same as each other causes tension. How are they supposed to develop a sense of self when they're constantly being made to feel the same?
I've anyways had a harder time telling "identical" twins apart when they AREN'T together and they ate just kind of sitting there. They don't move the same, they don't use the same vocal inflections. It's not really that hard if you actually know them. It's can be rather obvious and easy to tell them apart if you actually give a damn or know them. Kinda like having grey tabbies or black cats actually. I can tell my "run of the mill" kitties apart just by how they hold their tail. If you care about someone it's really simple. Unless they are babies. That it's some expert mode stuff. Hated twins when I worked daycare as a teen. Hey it pukes,poops and cries and that one...pukes,poops and cries...oh c**p, somebody call their Mom! *mom on the phone* "Damian has the diaper rash on the left butt cheek Darian has the snot nose".
Kids are gross. They tell you that young bucks that fact in sex ed these days?
Load More Replies...The pics are really beautiful but the article title isn't really accurate as most of these twins are not that different at all.
Well, the title is not so great for this article as there are very little twins that are looking a bit different. The rest is pretty much the same...
Shows how different they are? They are dressed the same and look identical. The fact that they all have a bored, or angry look seems to show regret for their lot in life and disgust at people's interest in twins. What is the point to this exhibition.
I'm a bit annoyed that one, you've instructed them to all pose to look like they're serial killers and, two, um....where are the differences? Subtle differences is what you were trying to present? Then entitle it that. Photo one was an artistic presentation that intrigued me. After that, you lost me.
But we got only their names and a picture (and most of them were identical in styles and positions) which only shows us the physical similarity, not the differences? There were Duke and Joe which were different as you told in text, but I would really loved to see or hear about the other ones too.
Most of them do, I agree. But I have to say, that most of the time you see more differences when you really know them and hang out with them. And not just only seeing a picture of strangers. If you just at one picture of strangers, they often look alike more.
Load More Replies...Twins may look the same however, they have different personalities
I think they look extremely uncomfortable or awkward instead of pissed, but something definitely looks "off"
Load More Replies...