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1[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/{{Robots}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/93ae398a_3166_4c51_8781_be8d637056a6.jpeg]]]]
2 [[caption-width-right:350:Just... ignore the [[{{Mooning}} second photo.]]]]
3
4->''"What a great photograph! It will always bring back the fondest of memories..."''
5-->-- ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994''
6
7Like flipping through your grandmother's scrapbooks. Only with catchier music.
8
9A Photo Montage is usually an ending or credits montage, but it can show up in other odd places. In a photo montage, a series of photographs are shown in some fashion--they may be "flashed" at the screen one-by-one, tacked on a wall, in a photo album--that depict the main characters. However, in order to be a "true" photo montage, they must explicitly be photographs--random still images just won't cut it. Sometimes, the photographs will depict events from the course of the TV show, movie, or video game they come from--bonus points if, re-watching whatever-it-is, you can spot the places where they might've been "taken". Other times, the montage will show events implied to have happened after the ending, in a kind of poor man's WhereAreTheyNowEpilogue. When photo montages are used in an opening, they can help establish the relationships between the characters and their history, depending on the people or things depicted.
10
11The appeal of the Photo Montage is its relative ease--putting one together doesn't require a lot of expensive animation or film. Just a few good still images, and one long, panning shot. It can also be used if it's thematically relevant--if a character in a movie, TV show, or game is a photographer, it becomes increasingly likely that a Photo Montage will appear somewhere in the production, to show off his "handiwork." If this is the ''main character'', the chance of encountering this trope approaches 1.
12
13If the camera slowly pans across or zooms into a photo (or both at once), it becomes TheKenBurnsEffect.
14
15SuperTrope to MugshotMontage and PhotoboothMontage.
16
17----
18!!Examples:
19[[foldercontrol]]
20
21[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
22* The ending sequence to ''Anime/SuperDimensionFortressMacross'' has an off-screen character flipping through a photo album. The photo album and the hand turning the page are live-action, but the photos in it are cartoons.
23* The third ending sequence to Manga/{{Gintama}} is a photo montage of school life in the Class Three, Ginpachi-sensei verse.
24* Later episodes of ''Literature/FullMetalPanic!'' do this in the credits, both showing pictures of Kaname as a child and Kaname and Sousuke with their classmates. Some, but not all of the photos are from scenes seen in the show. Kaname's friend is also an amateur photographer, so it's implied at least some of the pictures were taken by her.
25* For the end of one season of ''Anime/YuGiOh'', the ending credits are accompanied by a montage that is essentially nothing but photos of the gang changing from one to the other in a slow succession.
26* The final chapter of ''Manga/FullmetalAlchemist'' ends with one of these, with Pinako Rockbell's photo wall revealing what happened to the various main characters later on. ''Brotherhood'' ends with one as well.
27* Episode 7 of the ''Anime/{{Hellsing|Ultimate}}'' OVA has a sequence of photos of one of the characters who died during the episode, although some are also implied to be the character's memories.
28* Used [[TearJerker Tear Jerkingly]] in ''Anime/CodeGeass'', as Lelouch [[LaserGuidedAmnesia removes]] Shirley's memories of him due to her being in both [[LoveHurts pain]] and [[YouKnowTooMuch danger]] from the knowledge they have. It doesn't help that all the while Masquerade [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBjwd5CYITs is playing]]. To some, this scene is worse than [[spoiler: Shirley's death]]
29* ''Anime/TigerAndBunny'':
30** Kotetsu's daughter Kaede and late wife Tomoe are first introduced by way of a long string of framed photographs in his apartment.
31** Another photo montage appears in the second opening theme, where Kaede[[note]]her identity has been officially confirmed[[/note]] flips through the pictures on Kotetsu's [=iPhone=]; this includes shots of all the heroes, Kaede, Tomoe and Agnes. When she comes across a picture of Barnaby, someone else (most likely Kotetsu) takes the phone away from her.
32* ''Anime/NightRaid1931'''s ending credits is composed of displaying four pictures framed on walls one by one in slow motion; the first is a shot of a railway track, the second is Kazura's graduation photograph from the military school, the third is a group photograph of Yukina, Isao, Towa (Isao's fiancee) and Natsume and the fourth is a photograph of Aoi and Shizune in wedding attire.
33[[/folder]]
34
35[[folder:Comic Books]]
36* Maggie and Kate's apartment in ''[[ComicBook/DCComicsBombshells Bombshells]]'' features a photo wall with various pictures of their lives. Examples include Maggie's police academy graduation, Kate competing in a boxing match, the two of them on a Ferris wheel in Chicago, and Kate fighting in the Spanish Civil War.
37[[/folder]]
38
39[[folder:Fan Works]]
40* The end of ''[[WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries Yu-Gi-Oh: The Abridged Movie]]'' has one of these with farcical Where Are They Now Epilogues for the main characters. By the way, Yami will return in "For Your Cards Only".
41[[/folder]]
42
43[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
44* In ''WesternAnimation/TheChipmunkAdventure'' during the song "We're Off To See The World" which serves as a TravelMontage, we see a series of photos of The Chippettes at different destinations including Rome, Paris and London.
45* The credits of ''WesternAnimation/CinderellaIIIATwistInTime'' uses a variation of this trope by having characters appear in paintings hanging on the castle walls.
46* The opening of ''WesternAnimation/TheCurseOfTheWereRabbit'', the feature-length ''WesternAnimation/WallaceAndGromit'' movie, features the camera panning over a bunch of framed photos on the wall of the duo over the years.
47* The credit sequence for ''WesternAnimation/Home2015'' includes an epilogue montage of Oh and Tip and their friends and family. In one of the photos, Oh and Tip are reading a book with an illegible title but the distinctive cover design of ''Literature/TheTrueMeaningOfSmekday'', the book on which the film was based.
48* ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitch'':
49** The end has a "pictures on the wall"-style Photo Montage, showing off what all the characters do after the end of the movie. There's several {{Shout Out}}s in the pictures, including to a famous Creator/NormanRockwell painting.
50** [[WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitch2StitchHasAGlitch Its sequel]] has a quick montage of instant film photos taken by Stitch of Lilo punching up [[AlphaBitch Mertle]], including a selfie of him smiling for the scene, all of which "Kumu" Moses shows to Nani afterwards.
51* ''WesternAnimation/{{Migration}}'': [[spoiler: The credits feature a number of photos (in 2D style) of the Mallards as they help the penguins return to the South Pole.]]
52* The page image comes from ''WesternAnimation/{{Robots}}'', where at one point on the Crosstown Express, Rodney and Fender go into a tunnel and several strange pictures of them appear onscreen briefly before they exit the tunnel.
53* Happens in ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory2'' as Al is snapping pics of Woody and the Roundup Gang for Mr. Konishi.
54* In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', the opening shots are this featuring Mei, her mother, and father.
55* The ending of ''WesternAnimation/{{Up}}'' is entirely in scrapbook format. [[spoiler:Said scrapbook has actually been a key plot point for most of the movie. The credits are presumably what gets put in it after the end.]]
56[[/folder]]
57
58[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
59* Both the opening and closing credits from ''Film/{{The Parent Trap|1998}}'' features photographs; of the parent's first and second marriages, respectively.
60* The ending credits to the short film "Thumbtanic" follows (via photographs) the adventures of a guy who stole and pawned the old woman's necklace (which was apparently a MementoMacGuffin in ''Film/{{Titanic 1997}}'').
61* The opening credits of ''Film/{{Sahara|2005}}'' use a variant, with the camera zooming in on pictures, newspaper cuttings and the odd memento in Dirk Pitt's TrophyRoom. It's a sort of EstablishingCharacterMoment, and full of [[ShoutOut Shout-Outs]] to the ''Literature/DirkPittAdventures''.
62* The ending credits of ''Film/RainMan'' are the pictures taken by Dustin Hoffman's character through their journey.
63* In ''Film/TimeBandits'', the character Kevin regularly took pictures of things using his camera. The end credits (starting around 3:10 on [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUOzxEZ44pc this]] [=YouTube=] clip) have a Photo Montage of somewhat distorted pictures that could have been taken by Kevin.
64* In the Australian film ''Film/LookBothWays2005'', photo montages are used to show the thoughts of Nick (a photographer), just as animation is used to show the thoughts of Meryl (a painter).
65* The end credits for ''Film/LethalWeapon4'', showing first the life of the characters after the end of the movie and then, when the credits start mentioning the crew, pictures of said crew.
66* The credits for ''Film/{{Amelie}}'' feature Nino's carefully compiled photo album, now with pictures of all the film's characters added.
67* ''Film/{{Bullshot}}'' ends with TheHero and the DamselInDistress getting married, as shown by a series of wedding photos, with the last photo showing the scowling villain disguised as their chauffeur.
68* ''Film/TheHangover'' ends with the main characters discovering that they took pictures of what they did the night of their amnesiac drug stupor on a cellphone, and decide to go through them quick and then delete them. The explicit photos are shown to he viewer during the credits.
69* ''Film/RedDawn1984'' ends with B&W photographs of the Wolverines, all but two of whom where killed, adding to the 'historical' nature of the final narration (which takes place after the war).
70* ''Film/TheBlindSide'' has pictures of the real-life Michael Oher and the Tuohy family, including the only known photo of him as a kid.
71* ''Film/StuckOnYou'' has a filmclip montage of ''every single member of the cast and crew''.
72* The title sequence for ''Film/GoneInSixtySeconds2000'' shows a series of photos portraying the various central characters growing up together, mixed in with car racing trophies, car parts, etc.
73* ''Film/RaiseTheTitanic'' opens with a montage of black and white photographs of ''[[UsefulNotes/RMSTitanic the Titanic]]''.
74* The journey across Romania in ''Film/ImJuli'' is portrayed entirely through still shots -- not by choice, but because the Romanian government [[SerendipityWritesThePlot denied their shooting permit]].
75* The end credits for ''Film/SavingMrBanks'' use real photos of Creator/WaltDisney and P. L. Travers taken during the production and premiere of ''Film/MaryPoppins''.
76* The end of ''200 Cigarettes'' has Dave Chappelle doing a voiceover as the viewer sees a series of Polaroids from the Martha Plimpton's character's New Years Eve party, which the cast of characters has spent the duration of movie trying to get to
77* The opening credits of ''Film/{{Bulworth}}'' show the title character watching campaign sports for his re-election campaign (he's a senator), while behind him, we see photos of Bulworth with various political figures (which are actually pictures of the young Creator/WarrenBeatty).
78* ''Film/{{Hop}}'': Th film opens with a montage of paintings showing various Easter Bunnies throughout history, with Fred O'Hare narrating about what it takes to be one. The last painting shows Fred himself, "the first human Easter Bunny", and the film proceeds to explain [[HowWeGotHere showing how that came to be]].
79* ''Film/WeirdTheAlYankovicStory'' parodies the use of this trope in biopics. The credits start with actual photos of the real Music/WeirdAlYankovic... only to transition to [[StylisticSuck blatantly poorly Photoshopped pictures]] of things like him meeting [[Music/PaulMcCartney Paul McCartney]], [[Music/MickJagger Mick Jagger]] and [[Music/DavidBowie David Bowie]], getting drunk on stage, making out with Music/{{Madonna}} in front of Dr. Demento, [[spoiler:killing Pablo Escobar and his goons, getting gunned down at the awards show, and his funeral being led by President Reagan.]] [[SoundtrackDissonance All while soft piano and violin music plays.]]
80[[/folder]]
81
82[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
83* This is a favorite of DomCom series. For example, the opening sequence of ''Series/StillStanding'' shows photos on a refrigerator, showing how the characters "grew up" and came to be where they are in the show.
84** ''Series/FamilyTies'' and ''Series/GrowingPains'' opened with photos, as well.
85* All three series of ''Feasting on Asphalt'' use photo montages as pre-commercial {{eyecatch}}es, as did the behind-the-scenes episode of ''Series/GoodEats''.
86* ''Series/AllMyChildren'' opens with photos of the cast members, always ending with Susan Lucci.
87* ''Tour of Duty'', in its later seasons, had a group photograph of the characters, looking like a unit photo taken during UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar.
88* The end credits for the Australian series ''Embassy'' had the faces of the cast appearing one by one in a passport.
89* An episode of ''Series/CougarTown'' featured a BingeMontage made up of snapshots of the guys going on a rowdy night out.
90* ''Series/{{Cheers}}'' opened with a montage of pictures (paintings and photographs) depicting the title bar from decades earlier with theme song and all.
91* The opening credits of the 1990s Britcom ''Series/AsTimeGoesBy'' features background video footage of various goings-on in Britain and the U.S. from the 1950s to the 1990s (earlier seasons ended with footage of John Major as PM while latter seasons ended with footage of Tony Blair as PM) while, in the foreground, two individual photo frames featuring photos of a young Jean (from the '50s) and a young Lionel (also from the '50s) change to show how they aged throughout the years.
92* The opening credits of ''Series/HowIMetYourMother'' is an in-universe version of this, showing a series of realistically overexposed, crooked, poorly-lit, crudely-posed, yellowing photos of the gang taking pictures of themselves while hanging out in [=MacLaren's=] Bar, opening with Lily taking a picture of herself in the bar mirror. Appropriate, as we can assume all the actual photographs in question are still in one of the gang's possession in the year 2030, where the series is framed.
93* ''Series/{{JAG}}'' and ''Series/{{NCIS}}'' both have fairly standard end credit sequences with stills from the episode in question.
94[[/folder]]
95
96[[folder:Theme Parks]]
97* In ''Ride/TheAmazingAdventuresOfSpiderMan'' at Ride/UniversalStudios, the Daily Bugle introductory video does this briefly to explain the company's early roots.
98[[/folder]]
99
100[[folder:Video Games]]
101* The ending credits of ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed''. It's because Chip has a camera in the game.
102* The ending credits of ''VideoGame/EarthBound1994''. There's a photographer who appears throughout the game to take your picture. The more places you find him in, the more photos you'll see. If you look all around, he'll end up chronicling your entire adventure in photographs.
103* The ending of ''VideoGame/PokemonSnap'' uses pictures taken by the player during the course of the game for its end credits Photo Montage. Hey, it's a game about [[FirstPersonSnapshooter taking pictures of stuff]]--what did you expect?
104* The end credits of ''VideoGame/BeyondGoodAndEvil'' has a Photo Montage in its credits, but one that strangely ''doesn't'' use [[FirstPersonSnapshooter pictures taken by the player]]. Instead, it shows the main characters hanging out at the lighthouse and playing with the children.
105* The ending of ''VideoGame/SuperMarioSunshine''. It shows Mario, Peach, Toadsworth and the Toads finally having their vacation on Isle Delfino.
106* ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce 3'' also uses it on the credits. The first photo is particularly endearing.
107* Asellus' "human ending" in ''VideoGame/SagaFrontier'' shows a series of photos of living as she grows up. The photos go backwards starting from being a grandmother, to raising children, to her youth.
108* The very last ending of ''VideoGame/TheBindingOfIsaac: Wrath of the Lamb'' has one.
109* ''VideoGame/Fallout3'''s ending. The pictures vary depending on the player's KarmaMeter and what sidequests they completed.
110* Used for [[TearJerker heartbreaking effect]] at the end of ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFightersXIII'''s Story Mode: [[spoiler:after [[GoodAllAlong Ash Crimson]]'s HeroicSacrifice, we see a photo montage of him in happier and not-so-happier times. Then we see a repeat... only that [[RetGone Ash is missing]]]].
111* The ''Franchise/LifeIsStrange'' series loves to do this:
112** In ''VideoGame/LifeIsStrange'', [[spoiler:each time Chloe's power to travel to the past through a photo is used, it is accompanied by a montage of photographs, most of them changing or being destroyed as the effects of time travel take effect]].
113** ''VideoGame/LifeIsStrangeBeforeTheStorm'' ends with a photo montage of Chloe and Rachel's subsequent life. Similarly, all of the MultipleEndings of ''VideoGame/LifeIsStrange2'' feature a photo montage that documents what happens between [[spoiler:Sean's decision at the border and the DistantFinale]].
114[[/folder]]
115
116[[folder:Visual Novels]]
117* ''VisualNovel/ApolloJusticeAceAttorney'' combines this with the regular ''Franchise/AceAttorney'' credits at the end.
118* The party scene at the end of ''VisualNovel/DaughterForDessert'' consists mainly of this.
119[[/folder]]
120
121[[folder:Web Animation]]
122* [[http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/geeks The video to "Geeks in Love" by Lemon Demon]] prominently features an animated photo-montage board.
123* ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner'':
124** The WebAnimation/StrongBadEmail "dangeresque 3" features one of these playing over the end credits of ''Dangeresque 1: Dangeresque, Too?''
125** The email "montage" ends with one of these, after displaying several other types of montage.
126[[/folder]]
127
128[[folder:Web Comics]]
129* ''Webcomic/StandStillStaySilent'': The TimeSkip that happens between the Sweden segment of the DistantPrologue (a few days into [[HitSoHardTheCalendarFeltIt the new calendar]]) and the Iceland segment (a few months in) is shown via a series of archive photos taken at various points between those two dates.
130[[/folder]]
131
132[[folder:Western Animation]]
133* Bruce Wayne in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'' was seen looking through old pictures of his past loves on his bat computer on his birthday. Among the pictures are: Zatanna, Lois Lane, Catwoman, and Barbara Gordon.
134* ''WesternAnimation/{{Bluey}}'': At the very end of [[Recap/BlueyDaddyDropoff "Daddy Dropoff"]], Lila expresses hope that she and Bingo will remain friends forever, and a series of photos shows them first in the present, then again around Bluey's age, then as preteens winning a trophy, and finally as young adults graduating together.
135* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
136** The basis of a CouchGag. Each picture shows something different, such as Homer dying and being replaced with Lenny, until the entire family is robots by the end of it.
137** In "Moe Baby Blues", ends with a montage of Moe, Maggie, Homer, and Moe's ham enjoying a day out at the amusement park. After a few photos of all four, the rest are only of Homer and the ham.
138** "Fraudcast News" ends with a montage of pictures showing Mr. Burns and Smithers going shopping.
139** "Moe Letter Blues", an episode set on Mother's Day, includes a montage of characters and their mothers (ending on Homer and Mona) over the credits.
140** "Holidays of Future Passed" shows 30 years worth of future Christmas card photos.
141* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' shows one of these for the "style" portion of Rainbow Dash's competition to pick a pet in "May the Best Pet Win".
142** "A Canterlot Wedding" has one during the post-wedding celebration.
143** "Just For Sidekicks" opens with a pan over some photos of Peewee the phoenix living with Spike and Twilight Sparkle, ending with Spike returning Peewee to his real parents.
144* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited'' In "Task Force X", Clock King shows the Task Force X team some videos with the heroic exploits of Captain Atom, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter with [[ScareChord ominous music]].
145* ''WesternAnimation/TimeSquad'' shows one of Larry and Otto having a fun time together sightseeing in ancient China while Tuddrussel is busy getting arrested while they're away.
146[[/folder]]

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