Photographers have been playing with mirrors ever since the camera was invented (quite literally, as real cameras have mirrors inside them), but mirrors have recently come back as an element in photography, especially as influencers on social media platforms have begun to experiment with using reflections to be both the photographer and the subject.
The mirror selfie now has a sophisticated older sister: the "Yes, I totally just lugged a mirror out to a random scenic location to take a pretty picture in it" selfie. What began as teens and adults alike flocking to grimy bathroom mirrors to take pictures of outfits and pouty faces grew into something so much more creative, as professional photographers began to see the potential of experimenting with light and reflection.
Perhaps the reason for the sudden increase in popularity of this type of picture stems from the way it can feature the photographers themselves, allowing them to finally, finally, have a chance in the spotlight, after years of being hidden behind a camera. There is certainly delight to be found in playing around with mirror and camera angles as one photographs oneself--there's a certain intimacy in it, as well.
But the trend has expanded to far more than just more sophisticated mirror selfies. Photographers have tried new variations of the "genre" of picture, including in adding in models, scenic locations, and unique mirror placements. The results are beautiful, creative, and sometimes unnerving, and it seems that, for now, at least, mirror pictures are here to stay.
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