“We Never Met”, but we know all about you

Photographers Alex Mendes and Hugo Catraio are the creators of an amazing photographic experiment, called “We Never Met”, that consists of photos of strangers’ backs with a fictional story about them.

Street photography is a common form of shooting and it is quite interesting or dangerous, too, as you get to meet some people who will not be quite happy to have their picture taken, even though they are in a public place.

A team of photographers have decided to attempt a different tactic. Alex Mendes and Hugo Catraio are only photographing the back of the strangers, without letting them know that the photographers are taking their photos.

“They met on a stand up show. He knew they were meant to be together for a simple reason: they were the only two not laughing”. Credits: Alex Mendes and Hugo Catraio.

The duo has created an Instagram account for their project, called We Never Met. Beside the photos, the pair also adds a fictional story or an opinion about the subjects of their shots.

“We Never Met”: telling the stories of complete strangers by looking at their backs

The photographers are claiming that people’s faces are deceiving and that they will not reveal the true story of someone. However, if you are not showing their faces, then you can come up with fictional stories about them, stories that you want to tell with your photos.

“A self-proclaimed French films lover. So far only watched Amélie Poulain”. Credits: Alex Mendes and Hugo Catraio.

Alex Mendes and Hugo Catraio are doing a great job at creating stories about strangers and turning the strangers into real functional characters. When you look at a photo, you create your own idea about the subject, but the story of the authors will lead you in the direction that they want.

“She grew up by the sea. Every morning she’d lose herself in thoughts admiring the deep blue waters. She now lives in London. There’s no ocean to look at, but at least there’s a concierge in her building”. Credits: Alex Mendes and Hugo Catraio.

Sometimes the stories are amusing, sometimes they are profound, while sometimes they are a bit unreasonable. However, a good story has all types of characters, so “We Never Met” is simply a great journey and an amazing take on street photography.

A masterful project done in Alex Mendes and Hugo Catraio’s spare time

The stories featured alongside the obscured faces of the characters are not long, as to keep people engaged and to make them wonder about the identities of the subjects.

“When they first met, his hair was longer than hers. What she doesn’t know is that the money he now saves on conditioner goes straight to the engagement ring”. Credits: Alex Mendes and Hugo Catraio.

It is worth noting that Alex Mendes and Hugo Catraio are doing all this impressive work in their spare time. Usually, they are taking photos during the weekends and while they are in a vacation.

Furthermore, the duo says that people have a tendency of behaving “similarly” regardless of the location. “We Never Met” is a never-ending story, so you should go through it at its official Instagram page.

“I look like mommy because I’m pretty. My baby brother looks like daddy because he has no hair”. Credits: Alex Mendes and Hugo Catraio.