Introduction
What is it that brings people together and why do some relationships last longer than others?
A few years ago, a magazine article on the subject instantly drew my attention. The author explained that Physiognomy was a concept suggesting that clues to a person’s character and temperament could be seen in the shapes and sizes of their facial features, the article went on to suggest that people also tended to be attracted to others with similar features to their own.
As I read more into the subject I discovered a theory that suggested couples often begin to look even more similar over time. This concept could be explained in many ways, for instance, shared diet and environment could affect the way we look. A more tantalising concept relates to empathy, that partners sharing emotional ideas and personality traits may then subconsciously mirror each others facial expressions, thus over time creating similar facial muscle patterns and lines.
The general concept both intrigued me and amused me in equal measures. I decided to set out to investigate further. I got in touch with couples from my local area that had been together for 20 years or more. I invited them into my studio and photographed them all in exactly the same way. The images in this series are the end product.
