Keeping with tradition: a group of friends who take the same photo every 5 years meet again (11 photos)

Every five years since 1982, five friends have taken the same photo in the same place. In 2022, the men met again.





Five friends from California, John Wardlaw, Mark Rumer-Cleary, Dallas Burney, John Moloney and John Dixon, have been taking the same group photo near Lake Copco for 40 years. Every five years they sit down in the same order, having previously taken with them an empty jar and a hat, and repeat the photo. Neither the pandemic nor one of the men’s cancer experiences could stop them from continuing the tradition this year.

Here are all 9 photographs taken by Californians from 1982 to 2022, where, right before our eyes, five young people turn into well-groomed men.

Original photo from 1982



Five teenage Santa Barbara High School graduates took their first photo in a familiar pose using the camera's automatic timer. And this became their tradition!

1987





There are important rules to recreating the photo: Rumer-Cleary always has a hat on her lap, Moloney holds a can in her right hand, and Dixon's arms are always crossed.

1992



The frequency of guys reuniting by the lake for a photo is every 5 years!

1997



Let's meet the characters from left to right. John Wardlaw is a filmmaker and photographer living in Bend, Oregon. Mark Rumer-Cleary is a software engineer who founded Occam Networks. He is now retired and lives in Portland, Oregon.

2002



Dallas Burney, a U.S. Air Force veteran, begins his 23rd year teaching in Northern California in the fall. John Moloney is a photographer based in New Orleans.

2007



Finally, John Dixon is the only one still living in Santa Barbara, where he runs the travel website SantaBarbara.com

year 2012



When photos of friends went viral, Rumer-Cleary, with his 201cm height and distinctive facial hair, gained particular popularity on the streets. Strangers often stop him by saying, "You look familiar, but I can't remember why."

2017



Between 2017 and 2022, Dallas Bernie survived cancer, which left friends fearful that their next photo would show one blank space. But everything worked out!

2022



Over the years, the back of the bench on which friends sit also ages.

We're getting a little older, heavier. Behind this bench there is a 9-meter cliff. One day I'm afraid to hear it crack.

Now four of the friends are 59 years old, and Rumer-Cleary is 58.

Well, we are waiting for the next photo in 2027!