Humans have been using mirrors for over 6,000 years, yet many struggle to photograph them correctly, often resulting in humorous reflections and awkward backgrounds in resale listings on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Etsy. Comedian Nick Mao launched the X account @SellingAMirror in 2018, showcasing these amusing mirror photos, and gained a large following, mirroring the popularity of Can Kurt’s Facebook group “Pictures of people selling mirrors,” which has over 350,000 members. Despite attempts to capture perfect mirror images, missteps reveal the challenge of avoiding personal reflections and clutter, sparking laughter and community among viewers.
For over 6,000 years, mirrors have been a part of human life, which would lead us to believe that we have a fundamental grasp of how reflections operate.
Surprisingly, we don’t. This lack of understanding explains why social media accounts can gather hundreds of thousands of followers by sharing unintentional and amusing photos from mirror sellers.
Every day on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Depop, and Etsy, individuals attempting to profit from their grandmothers’ vanity tables or their own bedroom decor often overlook the fact that their reflections are making the listings look absurd. In addition to their mirrors, these secondhand sellers inadvertently showcase odd shadows, unaware pets, and disembodied limbs. While these laugh-inducing listings may not be boosting sales significantly, they have become highly sought-after content.
In 2018, Nick Mao, a 54-year-old comedian from Newcastle, England, began noticing the humorous side of mirror photos online. At that time, it seemed that no one was aware of the amusing realm of mirror advertisements. He decided to create an X account, @SellingAMirror, where he started sharing the funniest examples he encountered.
“We all enjoy a good fail,” Mr. Mao remarked. Much like his stand-up routines, he was unsure if others would appreciate the humor until he began sharing the content.
“Maybe I’m just strange,” Mr. Mao reflected during a recent interview. “But I thought, ‘No, this is funny. Surely it has to be funny. There must be someone who finds this amusing.’”
And indeed, people found it funny. Users filled his comment sections, and thousands joined his mirror picture community. Around the same time in 2018, Can Kurt, now a 25-year-old graduate student near Copenhagen, also stumbled upon these comical mirror sale images and began sharing them in his Facebook group titled “Pictures of people selling mirrors.”
Today, Mr. Kurt’s group boasts over 350,000 followers—a remarkable number for a private Facebook group. To compare, a well-known public group focused on housing in New York City, “NYC Sublets & Apartments,” has 40,000 fewer members.
Mr. Mao’s posts typically attract millions of views and numerous comments, frequently from followers who empathize, acknowledging their own challenges in capturing the ideal mirror picture.
“People often comment, ‘It’s impossible not to show your reflection,’” he said with a sarcastic chuckle. “But it’s completely possible—just step to the side. That’s all it takes.”
Yet, perhaps Mr. Mao was oversimplifying things. Taking a picture of a mirror without capturing a comical or distorted background might not be as straightforward as it seems (even Hollywood directors must use clever techniques for mirror scenes).
Okay, fine … perhaps it’s trickier than it appears.
On the third floor of The New York Times headquarters in Manhattan, I, Hank Sanders, along with photographer Jessica Pettway, attempt to showcase a mirror without turning into a meme.
Initially, it seems straightforward. Avoid being in the shot and ensure the background isn’t distracting or creating confusing shadows. Sounds simple, right? Not so fast.
We position the hand-held mirror, take a photo, and assess the outcome. The molding on the conference room wall is reflected oddly in the image. Okay, let’s try again. This time, the corner of the TV intrudes, making it appear like half the mirror is missing.
We try once more—this time capturing the reflection of the plain white ceiling. But now, the ceiling lights reflect back, accentuating the smudges on the mirror. Plus, we can’t determine its size, so it requires something for scale.
At the outset of our mission to capture the perfect mirror image, Ms. Pettway and I assumed it would be a quick and easy task. Yet, after thirty minutes, even a professional photographer still struggled to snap a mirror photo that didn’t lead to embarrassment.
Throughout this process, Ms. Pettway identified four essential tips for achieving mirror picture perfection.
1) Inspect the background and tidy up around the mirror.
2) To provide scale, include an object next to the mirror, such as a hand, limb, or a pet.
3) Clean the mirror.
4) Avoid being in the picture (consider stepping to the side or adjusting the angle).
Of course, Mr. Mao’s and Mr. Kurt’s followers depend on others not adhering to these guidelines. Mirror blunders are lighthearted (or occasionally smudged) fun that provide glimpses into homes worldwide.
Moreover, mirror mishaps may represent more than just a meme.
“It’s all about people not quite controlling the situation,” Mr. Mao noted, “and that’s inherently amusing.”