Photos shot on antique cameras are usually snapshots of years gone by, often found in a cherished family photo album or perhaps displayed on the walls of a museum. However, 19-year-old photographer Aila Ru recently went viral on TikTok for a series of vintage-looking portraits of their friends, all captured in the present day with a 100-year-old camera.

Ru has been practicing photography since they were 15. Viewing photography as “an under-appreciated and underutilized art medium,” they felt compelled to pursue it as a creative form of expression and documentation.

“I love alternative and historical photographic processes,” Ru tells My Modern Met. “I think there’s something very special about older methods of photography and it’s becoming somewhat of a forgotten art, so that’s what inspired me to take photos on such an old camera.”

Given the sepia-toned, soft-focused nature of the images, the average onlooker could easily mistake them for vintage photographs that have been touched up with modern fashion or perhaps some sort of AI filter. But this is not the case. By using a No. 2 Folding Autographic Brownie, which was manufactured by Kodak between the years of 1915 and 1926, Ru was able to capture photos of their friends that have an old-world charm to them.

“I really love testing the boundaries of what a photograph can be,” Ru says. “I’m currently a senior in highschool planning to attend art school next year, where I can hopefully grow as an artist and pursue more projects like this.”

You can keep up with Ru's work and even book a photo shoot with them on Instagram.

Aila Ru is a 19-year-old photographer who recently went viral for taking portraits of their friends with an antique camera.

The Atlanta-based creative captured the portraits using a No. 2 Folding Autographic Brownie, which was manufactured by Kodak between the years of 1915 and 1926.

Thanks to the unique color scheme of the photographs and the modern styles of their friends, Ru is able to blend past and present together.

Aila Ru: Instagram | TikTok

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Aila Ru.

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READ: Teen Captures Vintage-Looking Portraits of Friends With 100-Year-Old Camera

Left: Private Richard Oliver of the 20th USCT (Picture courtesy of the Miller family) | Right: Jared Miller, the direct descendant of Richard Oliver

Photographer Drew Gardner has spent the last two decades on his ongoing series, The Descendants. In it, Gardner photographs people whose ancestors made an impact on history. By posing and styling them in the manner of their descendant, Gardner creates a bridge between past and present. While the series began in Europe, Gardner started focusing on North America after Smithsonian Magazine commissioned him to photograph the descendants of Thomas Jefferson, Frederick Douglass, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

This inspired him to delve deeply into the history of the United States and, in particular, the Civil War period. In doing so, he also aimed to balance the genders and races represented in the series. Rather than solely focusing on big names, Gardner has also started highlighting lesser-known figures, using the acclaim that his project receives to spotlight their contributions to history.

“So many families have stories to tell, and to try and bring those to the public's attention is important, I feel,” he tells My Modern Met. Many of the people featured in the Civil War series have ancestors who were members of the United States Colored Troops, or USCT. These regiments were an important part of the Union army and were mainly comprised of Black soldiers, many of whom were former slaves. By the end of the Civil War, there were 175 USCT regiments, and 16 members were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

As with all images in The Descendants, Gardner is meticulous in recreating the time period that he is capturing. Each descendant is outfitted with period-appropriate clothing and, in this case, photographed with a tintype camera to recreate the look and feel of the original photo. The results are a striking reminder of our past and an invitation to delve into our history in order to embrace both the good and the bad.

“Curiosity. Nothing more, nothing less,” states Gardner when asked what he hopes people will take away from these images. “If my work encourages others to ask questions about the past and how our society has been built, if only to themselves, then I feel that is a small success.”

Scroll down to see more Civil War descendants, as well as short videos explaining their roles in history and a behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot.

Photographer Drew Gardner has been creating his ongoing series The Descendants, for two decades.

Left: Harriet Tubman | Right: Deanne Stanford Walz, great-niece of Harriet Tubman

Most recently, he's focused on highlighting Civil War descendants.

Left: Sgt. Major Lewis Douglass of the 54th Massachusetts USCT | Right: Austin Morris, direct descendant of Frederick Douglass (father of Lewis)

Left: David Miles Moore Jr., drummer boy in the 54th Mass | Right: Neikoye Flowers, direct descendant of David Miles Moore

The tintype photography mimics the original images, with Gardner focused on the contributions of lesser-known figures in history.

Left: Andrew Jackson Smith, who was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor | Right: Kwesi Bowman, the direct descendant of Andrew Jackson Smith

Left: Private Louis Troutman of the 108th USCT (Image courtesy of Drew Gardner and used with permission of the Thomas Harris Collection) | Right: Christopher W. Wilson, the direct descendant of Louis Troutman

Through short videos, he shares a bit more about these people from the past and shows his creative process.

Drew Gardner: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Drew Gardner.

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READ: Powerful Side-by-Side Portraits of Civil War Heroes and Their Descendants

Australian pet photographer Belinda Richards of Frog Dog Studios is known for her ability to highlight the soul of her furry subjects. The results are images that become cherished keepsakes of these animals' owners. This is particularly true of the senior dogs that Richards photographs, many of whom have been in their family's lives for over a decade.

From Carla, a beagle and Cavalier King Charles mix who was rescued from a puppy mill, to Girly Girl, an English Staffordshire bull terrier who has been with her family since birth, each dog has their own unique story. Thanks to Richards' expertise, their personality shines through.

“I adore capturing the unique personalities of these aging companions, often evident in their wise eyes and graying muzzles, which tell stories of a lifetime of experiences,” Richards tells My Modern Met. “These photographs serve as a celebration of their lives, honoring the bond they share with their humans and highlighting the joy pets can bring to our lives. Additionally, these photographs create lasting memories for pet owners, serving as cherished mementos of the love and joy their senior dogs bring into their lives. In essence, photographing senior dogs is not only about capturing beautiful images but also about celebrating the enduring bond between humans and animals.”

For the owners of Macy and Crumpet, a senior duo who are 16 and 13 respectively, Richards' photos are a celebration of their lives. Not only does it serve as a reminder of their lives together, but it has helped their owners grapple with the effects of aging. “Every moment is precious with them, especially now as Macy is palliative. This was an incredible experience we got to have with them; it was more than just getting photos taken,” they share.

For Richards, who shares her expertise in My Modern Met Academy's online course about pet photography, working with a senior pet requires a bit of extra consideration. By giving these animals soft, supportive surfaces to make them comfortable, minimizing distractions, and keeping the environment calm, she's able to draw the best out of these canines.

“Photographing a senior dog requires a thoughtful and compassionate approach, taking into account their specific needs and limitations,” she shares. “By prioritizing their comfort, safety, and unique characteristics, photographers can create images that not only celebrate the beauty of aging dogs but also honor their life journey and the special bond they share with their humans.”

See more of Richards' heartwarming senior dog portraits below and enroll in her course, Introduction to Pet Photography: Capture the Spirit of Your Furry Friend, today.

Pet photographer Belinda Richards of Frog Dog Studios is known for her ability to capture the spirit of each animal.

Carla, 12 yrs old

Carla, 12 yrs old

Her portraits of senior dogs are particularly meaningful, as they serve as important keepsakes for the owners.

Girly Girl, 12 yrs old

Girly Girl, 12 yrs old

Macy, 16 yrs old

Crumpet, 13 yrs old

“Photographing senior dogs is not only about capturing beautiful images but also about celebrating the enduring bond between humans and animals.”

Arthur, 11.5 yrs old

Arthur, 11.5 yrs old

Learn more about Richards' techniques by enrolling in her online course about pet photography.

Hugo, 12 yrs old

Ursula, 14 yrs old

Frog Dog Studios: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Behance

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Frog Dog Studios.

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“Shaolin Monks Training” by Steve McCurry
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Cavalier Galleries is celebrating renowned photojournalist Steve McCurry with concurrent exhibitions in their New York and Greenwich locations. One of the greatest visual storytellers of his generation, McCurry's powerful portraits and documentary photography help us understand more about different cultures around the world.

From February 8 to March 9, 2024, more than 30 of his photographs from the 1980s to today will go on view at the gallery's location in New York's Chelsea neighborhood. A separate, pendant exhibition will also go up simultaneously in Greenwich, Connecticut. With a vast archive to pull from, the gallery directors were spoiled for choice and met with McCurry's team to carefully select images that would explore the depth and breadth of his work. The result is a powerful show that takes us from Cuba and the Philippines to Myanmar, Pakistan, and Tibet.

“We selected photographs spanning the past 40 years of his career, from his iconic image of the Afghan Girl (1984) to a breathtaking photograph of Namibian shepherd boys from 2023,” shares Ron Cavalier, president at Cavalier Galleries. “Visitors to the exhibition will be greeted by McCurry’s 1994 photo of Monks Praying at Golden Rock in Myanmar, which is also the cover image of his new book, Devotion: Love and Spirituality. The centerpiece of the exhibition is a wall of eight portraits, selected from countries around the world and showcasing McCurry’s stirring ability to capture both personal narrative and the somehow universal landscape of our diverse, collective humanity.”

Through McCurry's powerful work, which is rich with color and rife with emotion, we learn a bit more about the world. From Shaolin monks in training to Afghan women shopping for shoes, these small glimpses of life help bring us together. And they hopefully also help us realize that we aren't so different from one another.

“I look for that unguarded moment, where the essential soul is peeking out, and try to convey some part of what it is like to be that person, or in a broader sense, to relate their life to the human experience as a whole,” McCurry tells My Modern Met. “We humans connect to one another via eye contact—there is a real power in that shared moment of attention when you catch a glimpse of what it must be like to be in their shoes. I think this is one of the most powerful things about photography: to relate that sensation.”

Steve McCurry runs from February 8, 2024, to March 9, 2024, at Cavalier Galleries in New York City (530 W 24th Street) and Greenwich, Connecticut (175 Greenwich Avenue). On Thursday, February 22, there will also be an artist reception and signing of McCurry's new book, Devotion: Love and Spirituality, at the New York location.

The career of acclaimed photojournalist Steve McCurry is being celebrated by Cavalier Galleries.

“Afghan Girl, Peshawar,” Steve McCurry

“Afghan Women at Shoe Store,” Steve McCurry

The gallery will hold concurrent solo exhibitions at its locations in New York City and Greenwich.

“Candy Factory Worker,” Steve McCurry

“Procession of Nuns,” Steve McCurry

In late February 2024, McCurry will also be present at the New York location for a reception and book signing.

“Himba Shepherds Take Their Goats to Graze,” Steve McCurry

“Woman Enters Monolithic Church,” Steve McCurry

Steve McCurry: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Cavalier Galleries: Website | Facebook | Instagram

All images ©  Steve McCurry. My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Cavalier Galleries.

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With so many dogs and cats in need of a loving home, photographers Kelly Pratt and Ian Kreidich do their part to make them feel loved. For the sixth year in a row, their studio Dancers & Dogs paired animals from the Stray Rescue of St. Louis with professional dancers from Saint Louis Ballet in a series affectionally titled Muttcracker. Not only do these dogs and cats get to experience the limelight, but these photos also help find them forever homes.

From young kittens to older dogs, Muttcracker includes all ages of adoptable canines and felines. They are joined on pastel blue and pink sets by dancers in costumes to create a sense of wonder much like a professional ballet. While the animals don't don any fancy costumes, they still dazzle next to their human counterparts. And best of all, it showcases the lovable temperaments of these animals in need.

“Our work is all about spreading joy,” Dancers & Dogs tells My Modern Met. “Dance is so often depicted as being very serious and full of drama. We want people to see the lighter side of dance. What better way than pairing dancers with silly, fun-loving partners that bring our genuine smiles and laughter. Dancers & Dogs is meant to be a beautiful and uplifting ray of sunshine.” Seeing such sweet dogs and cats have a chance on stage is sure to bring a smile to your face. Plus, knowing that these pets found families makes these portraits even better.

You can keep up to date with Dancers & Dogs' latest projects by following their Instagram.

Dancers & Dogs paired ballet dancers from Saint Louis Ballet and animals from Stray Rescue of St. Louis for a heartwarming photo series.

Called Muttcracker, these artfully made photos are helping find homes for dogs and cats from the shelter.

Animals of various ages join professional dancers for the sixth year of the project.

See more cute interactions between the dancers and the animals in these videos:

 

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Dancers & Dogs: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Dancers & Dogs.

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The Golden Globes are all about Hollywood glamour. This inspires celebrities to go all out with their outfits, mixing timeless fashion with some playful touches. To immortalize their memorable looks, stars stopped by the official Golden Globes portrait studio. There, photographer Dan Doperalski captured some stunning portraits of the night's biggest stars.

Among those who made their way to the studio were Margot Robbie, who accepted the award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement for Barbie alongside director Greta Gerwig. “Thank you to everybody, all the Barbies and Kens in front of and behind the screen,” said Gerwig, who posed for Doperalski's camera with his husband and Barbie co-writer, Noah Baumbach. “It was the greatest, most joyful show of craftsmanship and passion I’ve ever seen.”

Lily Gladstone, who made history as the first Indigenous actor to be awarded a Golden Globe for Best Female Actor, posed with her Killers of the Flower Moon co-star Leonardo DiCaprio. In her winning speech, she spoke in Blackfeet, before dedicating her win to those with dreams of being on the big screen. “This is for every little rez kid, every little urban kid, every little Native kid out there who has a dream who is seeing themselves represented and our stories told by ourselves, in our own words, with tremendous allies and tremendous trust from and with each other.”

Actors Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri, from The Bear, also had their portraits taken before picking up their respective awards for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy and Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy respectively. This was White’s second win and Edebiri’s first. She marked the win by giving thanks to several people, including a pointed acknowledgement of her manager’s and agents’ assistants.

In addition to the big winners of the night, Doperalski also shot some beautiful portraits of nominees, presenters, and other celebs including singer Dua Lipa, Martin Scorsese and his daughter Francesca, Jonathan Bailey, Hunter Schafer, Natalie Portman, and Gillian Anderson.

Scroll down to see the star-studded portraits taken at the 2024 Golden Globes.

Photographer Dan Doperalski captured stunning portraits of the stars that attended the 2024 Golden Globe awards.

 

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The ceremony inspired celebrities to go all out with their outfits, mixing timeless fashion with some playful touches.

 

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Dan Doperalski: Website | Instagram
h/t: [Variety]

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Photographer helping model with her poses, satisfying photos result
byu/SweetyByHeart intoptalent

Knowing the technical aspects of how to take a good portrait is just one part of a photographer's job. Directing a model is another one that requires just as much care. And while many know exactly how to give notes to get it right, one photographer likes to go the extra mile. By cheekily doing the pose first so his model can follow his steps, not only does he get the perfect shot, but he also creates a relaxed environment that makes the model feel at ease.

In a video shared on Reddit, an unnamed male photographer explores the city with a female model in search of the perfect background. He is dressed casually in a t-shirt and joggers, while she is elegantly decked in a traditional white outfit with a flowy skirt. It's this contrast that makes it so funny to see the photographer confidently striking a pose on camera. Meanwhile, the model observes attentively. The video then cuts to the final image, showing that the photographer's guidance—as well as his editing skills—did wonders for the shoot.

Additionally, having the photographer do the exact same poses shows that he values the model's work. Even if they look silly, his efforts show that, to him, getting that part right is as important as what he does behind the camera. In the end, maybe the best portraits are a team effort. As one Redditor points out, “The value of the art far outweighs the value of the shame and this guy shows it clear as day with the fantastic results.”

This photographer hilariously strikes a pose first so his model can follow his steps.

@glamourgarbPhotography pose posing♬ 原创音乐 – GlamourGarb

h/t: [Reddit]

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Today, having our picture taken is a fast and easy process. With lenses on our phones and the plethora of digital cameras available, you usually don't have to wait a long time to see your portrait. However, if you choose to use a disposable camera, then the process can be completely different, requiring you to drop the film off and wait about a week for the physical copies to be available. That may seem like a long time to us, but a pair of 19th-century mystery figures have been waiting over 100 years to get their picture back.

Film from a No. 1 Kodak camera was recently developed, 134 years after it was loaded in 1889. The early Kodak camera was owned by an Australian golfer named Miss Evelyn MacKenzie, who was a hobbyist photographer. Much like Kodak cameras today, this vintage model came pre-loaded with film for 100 photos, but to receive the copies, the entire camera set had to be shipped back to Kodak, where the film was extracted and processed. “You press the button, we do the rest” was the famous slogan used by Eastman Dry Plat and Film Co. during this time.

David Gardner, a member of the Photographic Collector's Club of Great Britain, acquired the vintage camera at an auction. In time, he decided that he wanted to get the film developed, which prompted a long and difficult search, ultimately connecting him with the Film Rescue International in Indian Head, Saskatchewan, Canada. There, they had the ability to develop the delicate nitrate-based celluloid roll film after it was hidden away for 134 years. However, it proved to be an arduous task, with only one negative returning a somewhat visible image. Greg Miller from the Film Rescue said the difficulty was due to it being “the oldest film we have ever gleaned something from” and “likely the oldest ever to be developed that had anything on it at all.”

The resulting image features two silhouettes in late 19th-century fashion, either Victorian or Edwardian. Fashion historian Jayne Shrimpton looked over the hazy photo and believes that both figures are men, with one wearing a tam o' shanter hat. “The image appears to be taken, possibly from behind, of two people contemplating a piece of equipment,” writes Gardner in Photographica World; the journal of the Photographic Collector’s Club of Great Britain. “To match Miss Mackenzie’s record, I would expect the equipment to be tennis or golf clubs, but the more I look at it the more I think it is a field camera on a tripod.”

Although there are plenty of questions surrounding the hazy figures, the fact that a roll of film loaded in a No. 1 Kodak camera in 1889 was able to be developed is an amazing feat. Perhaps in time, more information about MacKenzie's camera and her anonymous sitters will come to light.

A No. 1 Kodak camera—the first-ever camera by Kodak—was discovered with an undeveloped roll of film inside. The images were likely taken in 1889.

An advertisement from “The Photographic Herald and Amateur Sportsman,” November 1889 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

One of the photos reveals a mysterious pair of men in Victorian or Edwardian clothing. The fact that the camera was pre-loaded in 1889, makes this photo possibly the oldest to ever be developed from a roll of film.

Photographic Collector's Club of Great Britain: Website | Facebook | Twitter
h/t: [PetaPixel]

All images via the Photographic Collector's Club of Great Britain / David Gardner, unless stated otherwise.

This article has been edited and updated; an earlier version mislabeled the location of Film Rescue International.

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Over the last year, Montana-based photographer Clark Dunbar has been shooting portraits of Native Americans in traditional dress while attending powwows. The evocative portraits give a wonderful glimpse into the pride the participants have for their traditions while also highlighting their unique personalities.

Dunbar embarked on this project, which he calls The PowWow Portrait Series, after looking for a way to diversify and update his portfolio. In doing so, he stumbled upon old notes from college, where he expressed the desire to take these types of portraits. Now the project continues to grow, with Dunbar planning to expand his visits to other areas of the country, as well as exhibit and publish the photographs.

“This has become a passion project to celebrate the culture and personalities of the individuals in their continuance and teaching of the traditions and their heritage,” Dunbar tells My Modern Met. For him, there is great pleasure in meeting people and seeing how the Native American traditions and culture are taught to the youth.

Dunbar hopes that, through his work, people will take the time to learn a bit more about Native American culture. “I hope the viewer sees the individual—the confidence, the pride, the culture—and wants to know more…listen to the stories and learn more about the culture.”

To assist with his work and help fund future exhibitions, Dunbar has set up a crowdfunding campaign. Scroll down to see more of his incredible portraits.

Montana-based photographer Clark Dunbar has spent the last year taking portraits of Native Americans at powwows.

He sets up a tent at the events and invites attendees to sit for a portrait while dressed in regalia.

“This has become a passion project to celebrate the culture and personalities of the individuals in their continuance and teaching of the traditions and their heritage.”

Clark Dunbar: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Clark Dunbar.

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Daytona Beach was full of fun facial hair as contestants arrived for the 2023 Honest Amish National Beard and Moustache Championships. Photographer Elle Jaye was on hand to shoot the official portraits that let us see the incredible beards, mustaches, and goatees that entered this year's competition.

Participants entered a wide variety of categories and classes that allow for everything from neatly groomed facial hair to fantastical, crafted facial hair that uses creative materials to give the illusion of a beard or mustache. But, by far, the freestyle category is where contestants really shine, as they use their natural hair to create incredible shapes. The final results are sculptural and demonstrate just how much you can do with a beard or mustache.

Jaye's portraits capture the pride these contestants have for their facial hair. For many, it's taken years to perfect their look, and the satisfaction of what they've achieved is written all over their carefully groomed faces. Winners were named in an incredible 47 different categories, but it was Jacob Darlington who took home the top prize and earned the Best in Show award. His big win came after he first took the top slot in the Full Beard Garibaldi.

According to the official contest website, a Garibaldi beard is “wide and round at the bottom, and no more than 8 inches in length as measured from the bottom of the lower lip.” A natural appearance is preferred, and “the mustache may not be made distinct from the beard or styled.”

See more of Jaye's portraits of our favorite winners and finalists below and get inspired by their creativity.

Jacob Darlington won Best in Show at the 2023 National Beard and Moustache Championship.

Photographer Elle Jaye captured the official portraits of the finalists and winners.

Contestants competed in 47 different categories that honor creative facial hair.

From fantastical freestyle beards to meticulously groomed mustaches, the contestants showed off their creations.

Elle Jaye: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Elle Jaye.

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