A photographer's innovative approach to matchmaking through stranger photoshoots has captured the hearts of millions online, but the latest update on one viral couple has left hopeful viewers disappointed. Brooke LeVesque, a 25-year-old photographer from Ocala, Florida, has been experimenting with a trending photography style that pairs complete strangers for romantic photoshoots, capturing their raw reactions to meeting for the first time.
LeVesque, who picked up photography as a hobby six years ago and made it her full-time career in 2021, initially entered the stranger photography trend in October 2025 as a favor to a friend who wanted her brother-in-law photographed. What started as a simple request quickly evolved into something much more meaningful. Rather than focusing solely on creating beautiful portraits, LeVesque wanted her sessions to capture genuine human connections in an increasingly disconnected world.
To bring her vision to life, LeVesque created an application system for singles in the Ocala area, where participants answer detailed questions about their personalities and interests. The only requirement is that applicants live in or around central Florida. "I've had over 1,600 applications so far, which just shows how many people are craving something real – a genuine spark, not a swipe," LeVesque tells PEOPLE exclusively.
Using the application responses, LeVesque carefully pairs individuals for her photoshoots, emphasizing that the participants are complete strangers who don't even know each other's names before meeting. The photographer never anticipated that her stranger sessions would capture such widespread attention, but the response has been overwhelming. "My comments are full of strangers rooting for strangers," she shares. "People saying things like, 'I believe in love again,' or, 'They need to get married.' It's wild to see how much hope people find in these sessions."
Her second stranger photoshoot, featuring 27-year-olds Ali Oswalt and David Barrett, unexpectedly went viral, amassing over 3.5 million views on TikTok. The pair's undeniable chemistry and LeVesque's cinematic, "Notebook"-worthy imagery struck a chord with viewers worldwide. Despite a rainy backdrop that could have dampened the experience, Oswalt and Barrett fully embraced the experiment, refusing to let weather threaten their chance at finding love.
"Ali and David's photoshoot was memorable for many reasons," LeVesque explains. "They immediately connected, to the point where they couldn't stop talking to one another." During their session, the pair discovered a shared love for country music as they slow danced in the sand, successfully attempted the iconic Dirty Dancing lift, jumped off a dock into Lake Weir, and even shared a spontaneous kiss.
Oswalt recalls the initial awkwardness quickly melting away. "It felt a little awkward at first, but I am a very confident person, so I automatically switched the script and made it feel super comfortable for both of us," she tells PEOPLE. "We both then shared lots of laughs and great conversation." Barrett, despite initial nerves, remembers the experience feeling cinematic, saying that when he first saw Oswalt, "she was so beautiful it took me a second to focus, but once I did, I didn't want the session to end."
After LeVesque shared Oswalt and Barrett's captivating session online, viewers became invested in their story, flooding the comments with requests for updates on whether the pair's connection extended beyond the camera frame. The overwhelming response demonstrated how much people were hoping for a real-life fairy tale ending to emerge from the artistic experiment.
However, the much-anticipated update has disappointed thousands of hopeful viewers. After getting to know each other better following their viral photoshoot, Oswalt reveals to PEOPLE that she and Barrett decided they would "be better off as just friends." Despite the romantic chemistry captured in the photographs and their initial connection, the pair determined that friendship was the more appropriate path for their relationship.
Nevertheless, Barrett described the experience positively, calling it "fun" and "like nothing I've ever done or felt before." He remains optimistic about finding love and continues to hold onto hope of meeting his future wife. The experience, while not resulting in a romantic relationship, provided both participants with a unique adventure and a new friendship.
Although Oswalt and Barrett's photoshoot didn't conclude as viewers had hoped, LeVesque has since completed four additional stranger sessions and remains optimistic that future pairings will yield even stronger, more lasting connections. She continues to receive applications from singles eager to participate in her unique matchmaking photography experiment.
"I hope people watching feel that little spark of hope again – the reminder that connection is still out there, even in such a disconnected world," LeVesque explains. "These sessions aren't about perfect matches or fairytale endings; they're about taking a risk, being open, and letting yourself be seen." Her innovative approach to combining photography with human connection continues to resonate with audiences seeking authentic relationships in an age dominated by digital dating.
