The birthday problem/paradox asks what would be the probability of two people having the same birthday from a randomly selected group. Surprisingly the results state that with a group of 23 randomly selected people, there would be a 50% chance that two of them share a birthday. But with any paradox, there are nuances that contradict each other. After 35 years here on this earth, I have yet to meet someone that I shared a birthday with. I was born a day after my aunt and a day before my dad. But that was the closes I’ve come to sharing a birthday with someone. Well all that changed this past summer.
But seriously, how many people do we really know share a birthday with us? If the odds of finding one other person with the same birthday are supposedly pretty good, then what are the odds of finding two people in the same city with the same birthday as you? Well enter stage left, Erynn and Jayla. Photography allows you to cross paths with many interesting people. And this past summer, I was able to cross paths with not one, but two individuals who I share a birthday with!
And this is that story
The first time I met Jayla was in typical photography fashion on Instagram. Back in 2018 I was new to photography and was trying to shoot with as many people as possible. But scheduling conflicts got in the way and it just never worked out. Fast forward to July 3, 2021 and Jayla reached out to me to do a shoot since the photographer she had rescheduled at the last minute. It was supposed to be a simple birthday shoot and I was glad to help. I reached out to fellow photographer Robert for assistance and with his help, we were able to tackle the shoot with no issues.
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Once these phots were created and we were about to go our separate ways, we soon found out that we shared more than just a love for a photography. We were born exactly 10 years apart! While I’m not a follower and practitioner of astrology, it was uncanny how the mindsets of two people who share the same sign and birthday are eerily similar.
We knew that we had to shoot again. So just a few short weeks later, we collaborated for a second time. And the results were the same, more great photos for both of our portfolio’s. But during that time, life hit me hard. Work stress began to plague my mental health and my creative spirit was at an all time low. It took me three long months to fully edit the photos from that shoot. But Jayla was gracious and understanding. I can only contribute this to how we both see the world and are naturally sympathetic and empathetic.
But somethings are worth the wait. When I finally started editing, I was able to create a look and color scheme that was new to my style. I also was able to match up a few of the photos with some of the poems I had written.
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Does lightning strike the same place twice
By no means am I a math person. But the odds of finding out that you share the same birthday, with two different people, in the same city, on the same day has to be pretty high. As I posted to my Instagram stories about shoot I had just finished with Jayla, I came across Erynn’s stories that had a countdown to her birthday. Using all my fingers and toes, I quickly counted and realized that her birthday was the same as mine. I quickly messaged her to confirm, and sure enough, we were born on the same day 6 years apart!
Like Jayla, I found out that Erynn and I also have similar mindsets. They say that July babies can be some of the nicest and most sensitive people that you can meet. But if you cross them, they can easily turn into the coldest most brutal people you meet. Think Drago from Rocky IV. “If he dies, he dies.” I actually had met Ms. Erynn a few months prior. We share a mutual friend that we would playfully argue over on social media. The one time we met in person at a gym, she asserted her dominance just like a strong July baby would.
Now the great thing about photography are the stories that go along with the photos. And if you spend just one minute with Erynn, you would instantly think to yourself that she must have a great story to tell. From the amazing tattoos, to the nonconformist hairstyle, to the edgy personality, she carry’s with her many stories of trials, tribulations, and victories over them. So I was quick to jump at the opportunity to capture those stories when she reached out to me about taking photos. I could never do her story justice through my words so I’ll let the photos speak.
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Being able to capture her story of triumph over the trials of life was an amazing opportunity. These are the kind of photos that a person will look back on decades from now. Erynn is a fierce and strong July baby. I can relate to protectiveness of her friends and her strong willed (who people confuse for stubborn) mentality.
Until next time
I’ll be forever grateful to all the people that have stepped in front of my camera and allowed me to perfect my art. But being able to connect and create with two people that I align with on an astronomical level just hits differently.