For the optional graffiti from the prequel game, see here. For the optional photos from its bonus episode Farewell, see here. For the optional drawings from the sequel game, see here.
Optional Photos are a main gameplay element in Life is Strange. Throughout the game, Max Caulfield may come across various scenes, pictures, people, animals or objects that she may find interesting and could take a photo of with her analog camera. Her optional photos section in her journal, at the beginning of each episode will initially have only single color sketch pictures which will gradually be replaced by full color photos as Max takes each optional photo. Some optional photos are only available after certain actions. Every episode contains the opportunity to take 10 photos and each awards the player an achievements with an extra one after taking all photos in an episode, 55 achievements can be earned that way in total. All achievements are referring to photography terms.
The first photo is some etched marks on the desk in front of Max's in Jefferson's classroom. The etched marks read "Rachel Amber ♥ 4 ever" in block letters. Taking this photo awards the "Macro Eyes" achievement.
The second is a picture of the statue in front of Blackwell. The future needs excellence! Taking this photo awards the "Wide Angles" achievement.
After talking to Justin, and rewinding to give the proper skateboarding terms, ask to see a tre flip and Trevor will oblige, unfortunately falling for this great shot. Taking this photo awards the "Telephotogenic" achievement.
In the Prescott Dormitory grounds, the tree at the far side beside Kate Marsh on the bench is the hang-out zone for this squirrel. Taking this photo awards the "Close-Ups" achievement.
The fifth photo can be taken of Max in her dorm room mirror. Taking this photo awards the "Red Eye" achievement.
In Victoria's dorm room, Max can choose to mess up her photographs to take the next shot and send Victoria a message. Taking this photo awards the "Focused" achievement. (Messing up the photos will have consequences later in the game, but you can avoid this by rewinding to restore the photos after the achievement is unlocked.)
If you choose to save Alyssa from the oncoming football outside the dormitories, you can snap this photo of the damaged window. Taking this photo awards the "Zoomed In" achievement.
In the Blackwell parking lot, Max can draw a face in the dirty window of Frank's RV. She can then take a photo of the artwork. Taking this photo awards the "Focal Pointed" achievement.
Walking down the path behind you instead of walking towards the lighthouse, you can find this bird atop a rock at the end of the pathway. Taking this photo awards the "Maximum Aperture" achievement.
Standing behind Chloe on the brow of the hill, you have the option to take this photo before sitting down with her. Taking this photo awards the "Light Leak" achievement.
Taking all the photographs in this episode awards the "Visionary" achievement.
In Kate's room, to the left, is her rabbit's cage. This is the first photo. Taking this photo awards the "Field of View" achievement.
Head towards the bench at the far side of the dormitory grounds, and set a photo trap by placing a bitten donut from the trash can next to it. Then wait and rewind to get close to this hungry squirrel. Taking this photo awards the "Full Exposure" achievement.
Look up at the sign in front of the Two Whales Diner to get this next photo. Taking this photo awards the "Processor" achievement.
Around the back of the diner, you can look through the fence to take a picture of Pompidou, Frank's dog. Taking this photo awards the "Image Stabilizer" achievement.
Inside the Two Whales' bathroom, there is a strange etching on the mirror marked "FIRE WALK WITH ME".[1] Taking this photo awards the "Compressed" achievement.
The bus directly behind you in the junkyard as you talk to Chloe is the next shot. You'll need to approach it from this angle. Taking this photo awards the "Pixelated" achievement.
This doe is a vision; so catch it quickly! No amount of rewind will bring it back. You'll need to snap the shot before the oncoming train scares it away. Taking this photo awards the "Dynamic Range" achievement.
Move to Chloe's side to take this next photo. Taking this photo awards the "Colorized" achievement.
Help Warren with his chemistry experiment in order to take a picture of his apparatus. Taking this photo awards the "Meter Made" achievement.
The last picture is of Alyssa in Jefferson's classroom, staring into the distance. Taking this photo awards the "Resolution Revolution" achievement.
Taking all the photographs in this episode awards the "Lab Master" achievement.
The first photo can be found from the luminous action figure while exploring in Victoria's Room at the beginning of the episode. Keep your light on it for a few seconds. Taking this photo awards the "Parallax View" achievement.
At the same bench at the far side of the Dormitory grounds, a squirrel playfully jumps at fireflies. Get close for this shot, and use rewind if you like. Taking this photo awards the "Lenscrafted" achievement.
In the Science room, the aquarium to the far side is off. Switch it on to awaken the fish and grab the photo of them swimming. Taking this photo awards the "The Reflex" achievement.
This picture of the science class skeleton with a cigarette in its mouth can be taken at the back of the room. Taking this photo awards the "Histogrammar" achievement.
From the front of Wells' desk, you can get this shot of Chloe in the comfy chair. Taking this photo awards the "Bokeh" achievement.
In the bathroom of the Madsen Household, you can take a photo of Max wearing her new punk rock clothing. Taking this photo awards the "Pinholed" achievement.
By opening the window in the Madsen house, you let in a bird. If you shoo it out of the house, you can find it in the back yard in this spot. Taking this photo awards the "RAW Strength" achievement.
Talk to the truck driver outside the diner; rewind and persuade him to let you take a photo by asking about his Needam, and mentioning Rachel Amber rather than Blackwell. Taking this photo awards the "Viewfinder" achievement.
This swirling and disturbing image can be found around the side of the diner. Taking this photo awards the "Optican" achievement.
In Young Chloe's kitchen to her left, you will find William's camera. Taking this photo awards the "Flash!" achievement.
Taking all the photographs in this episode awards the "Camera Eye" achievement.
Chloe sitting at her desk after Max returns from the alternative timeline. There she is, alive and well. You don't want to to lose her again, so capture this moment for ever! Taking this photo awards you the "Ambient" achievement.
There is a birds nest in the Madsen garage. Move the board (and move it back after, if you don't want to disturb the nest) to add another photo to your Arcadia Bay Wildlife Collection! Taking this photo awards you the "Time-Lapsed" achievement.
Cairn outside the dorms in front of the Tobanga. Taking this photo awards you the "Balance" achievement.
Talk to Samuel and ask him about his squirrels, he will spread food and attract a squirrel. Use Samuel's food to lure a second squirrel out of a bush to the other and take a cute shot of them eating together. Taking this photo awards you the "Rangefinder" achievement.
While snooping around the boys' dorm, look out the window - footprints. It seems Bigfoot left his mark. Every photographer should have one blurry bigfoot shot! Taking this photo awards you the "Gamma Value" achievement.
Before talking to Frank about his sales, look at the whale on the beach. Taking this photo awards you the "Dioptric Power" achievement.
Outside the old barn above the Dark Room, grab a shot of a bird with a windmill in the background. Taking this photo awards you the "Fisheye" achievement.
Inside that old barn, at the top where the old motor was, an owl rests. This photo awards you the "Manually Exposed" achievement.
At the Vortex ClubEnd of the World party, find a drawn skeleton; line up the shot so Justin is behind it and "part of" it. Taking this photo awards you the "Slideshow" achievement.
Double moon just near the entrance to the pool party - seen through the window. Taking this photo awards you the "Tripod" achievement.
Taking all the photographs in this episode awards the "Shutterbug" achievement.
Kate sitting in Jefferson's classroom. Comfort her to take the shot. Taking this photo awards you the "Incandescent" achievement.
At the art gallery, before going upstairs to where your photo is, go downstairs and photograph a woman looking at art. Taking this photo awards you the "Night Vision" achievement.
After David gets knocked out by Mark, Max is forced to rewind and has the additional option to ask a last request from Mark Jefferson. By asking for one last picture, Mark will take a photo of Max. Having this photo taken awards you the "Framed" achievement.
Line up a shot with a dead whale outside the diner so it's blowing fire out its hole. Taking this photo awards you the "Camera Obscura" achievement.
Car at top of building just before entering Two Whales. Only available after Max stops the explosion. Taking this shot awards you the "Blowup" achievement.
In the nightmare, "Chloe Price ♥ 4 Ever" will be carved into the desk when Max looks at the scratch marks on the desk several times. Taking this photo awards you the "Iris" achievement.
SQUIRRELS! GIANT SQUIRRELS! Through the dorm window when you become Max again in the hallway repetition of her at night. Taking this photo awards you the "Sensor" achievement.
As you're moving through the backward space, un-take a photo of a skeleton. Taking this Photo awards you the "On Display" achievement.
Warren's locker in the maze - loop around to the right and go past Samuel. Taking this photo awards you the "Light Meter" achievement.
Bottles - gotta collect 'em all again (in the maze) first, then you can take a shot at - or rather of - the shooting range. Taking this photo awards you the "Silhouettes" achievement.
Taking all the photographs in this episode awards the "Selfie Awareness" achievement.
Trivia[]
The "Meter Made" achievement could be a reference to the Beatles song "Lovely Rita". This is likely due to the other references made by Warren associated with the band.
In the alternative timeline, Max leaves her camera bag on the Blackwell campus floor. This is probably the reason why she doesn't take any pictures in this timeline.
At the end of the game, Max will still have the photos she took during the game because she keeps any object in her inventory even if she rewinds.
While playing in "Collectible Mode" the player can collect all the photos several times, except for the last one during Max's nightmare. After the photo is taken once, the bottles break and can never be collected or posed for the shot again.
Gallery[]
Incomplete optional photos journal page of Episode 1.
Incomplete optional photos journal page of Episode 2.
Incomplete optional photos journal page of Episode 3.
Incomplete optional photos journal page of Episode 4.
Incomplete optional photos journal page of Episode 5.
Complete optional photos journal page of Episode 1.
Complete optional photos journal page of Episode 2.
Complete optional photos journal page of Episode 3.
Complete optional photos journal page of Episode 4.
Complete optional photos journal page of Episode 5.
Optional photos journal episodes overview page.
References[]
↑This is a reference to the David Lynch Twin Peaks movie.