Life is Strange – an episodic adventure by Square Enix revolving around an aspiring photographer, Max Caulfield who discovers that she possesses the ability to reverse time.
The game’s first episode Chrysalis pits Ms. Caulfield in her school, surrounded by familiar yet strange faces as she tries to keep her composure in that inimical environment.
Chrysalis is awfully short, but encourages exploring with side-activities like Taking Optional Photographs.
Life is Strange: Episode 1 Chrysalis Optional Photos Locations
There are a total of 10 Optional Photographs that Ms. Caulfield can capture. The game can be played in “Play this Chapter in Collectible Mode” which allows players to hunt down each Optional Photograph without altering any previously made choices.
In this guide, I have provided the location of each Optional Photograph that can be found in the first episode – Chrysalis:
Optional Photo #1
Location: After the class is over, move to the table in front of where Max was sitting and take a picture of etched marks that read, “Rachael Amber <3 Forever”.
Optional Photo #2
Location: After talking to the principal, head outside and you’ll come across a large central statue. Move to the front side of the statue (so that you can see its face) and take its picture.
Optional Photo #3
Location: Turn 180 degrees from the statue and you’ll come across a guy named Justin sitting with his buddies. Talk to him the first time and he’ll call you a ‘Poser’. Once the dialogue is over, rewind time and tell him, “I came to Noseslide.”
Once Justin asks you which trick you’d like to see, select “Tre Flip.” Following this, another guy named Trevor will try and do this trick, but he’ll fall off his skateboard.
Go near him and take a picture of him rolling in agony to collect this Optional Photograph.
Optional Photo #4
Location: Before entering your dormitory, you’ll come across a couple of fellows playing football with a girl named Kate sitting on a bench behind them. Right across Kate is a large tree with a squirrel nibbling on a steel can behind it.
You need to capture this moment to collect this Optional Photograph.
Optional Photo #5
Location: Once you come to Max’s room in the dormitory, go to the mirror and take a mirror-selfie to collect this Optional Photograph.
Optional Photograph #6
Location: For this Optional Photograph, you need to enter Victoria’s room which is located right across Max’s room – its room #221. Once you’re inside, you’ll come across a collage of photos right adjacent to the door.
Interact with this collage and choose to mess up the pattern. Once Max recreates the collage’s pattern, take a photo of it. Do note that this action will have consequences later in the game.
Optional Photo #7
Location: After leaving Max’s dormitory, you’ll come across a girl named Alyssa sitting on a bench, reading a book. After you arrive at the scene, a guy will shoot a rugby ball and it’ll hit Alyssa in the head.
You need to rewind time and speak to Alyssa, asking her to move her head. As a consequence, the ball will miss Alyssa and hit a window instead. Move to the window and take a picture of the broken window to collect this Optional Photograph.
Optional Photo #8
Location: Once Max arrives at school’s parking, you’ll see a dirty R.V. parked there. Go to this R.V. and select to draw on the dusty windowpane. Once you’ve done that, take a picture of it for another Optional Photograph.
Once again, this thing will have consequences later in the game.
Optional Photo #9
Location: After Max comes back to the lighthouse from her dream, go down the hill and you’ll see a bird perched on top of a large rock. Walk towards the bird and take a picture of it when it settles down.
Do note that sometimes it may take a little while for the bird to perch on the rock, but it’ll definitely come.
Optional Photo #10
Location: Once you see Chloe sitting on a bench, walk directly behind her and take her picture for the last Optional Photograph.
Each Optional Photograph in Episode #1 Chrysalis is tied to an Achievement/Trophy and finding all these will net you easy 200 Gamerscore. Here’s a list of all Achievements/Trophies:
- Macro Eyes
- Wide Angles
- Telephotogenic
- Close-Ups
- Red Eye
- Focused
- Zoomed In
- Focal Pointed
- Maximum Aperture
- Light Leak
- Visionary (Collect all Optional Photographs)
Found anything misleading or confusing? Let me know in the comments below!
