Oregon Teen’s Senior Photos Go Viral After Unexpected Photobomber Appears in Background

A high school senior in Oregon got more than she bargained for during her senior photo shoot in August 2016 — and the resulting images quickly became an internet sensation.

Jillian Henry, a 17-year-old student at South Eugene High School, had her senior portraits taken by her friend Elena Nesbit along the Willamette River. The photos were coming along beautifully until the girls reviewed the images and noticed something unexpected: a naked man, accompanied by his dog, had wandered into the background of several shots.

Henry took the surprise in stride. “We weren’t too shocked because living in Eugene you see these kind of things a lot,” she told BuzzFeed in an interview.

Initially, Henry was not planning to share the photos publicly. But after showing them to a friend named Jack, he suggested they had the potential to go viral. She decided to post them on Twitter with the caption “Love my senior pics :)” — and Jack was right.

The tweet exploded, racking up approximately 130,000 likes and over 47,000 retweets within days. News outlets across the country picked up the story, with segments appearing on ABC News, Fox affiliates, and numerous local stations nationwide.

Henry told reporters she had no ill will toward the accidental photobomber and found the whole situation hilarious. Eugene, a college town known for its laid-back atmosphere and proximity to natural areas along the river, is no stranger to the occasional clothing-optional visitor.

The photos became one of the most-shared viral moments of the summer, and Henry earned bragging rights as the owner of what many called the most memorable senior portrait session of 2016.