“Kitty McScratch” Elizabeth Hunter: Most Prolific Dance Game World Record Holder, Los Angeles, California
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We often hear about world records being broken, but we less often see a face behind the achievement. These folks are left as faceless answers at trivia or the name in a headline. But thanks to photographer Ryan Schude and his portraits of Guinness World Records holders (from 2007 to 2017), we get a sense of who these special people (and animals) are.
Many of Shude’s portraits have an exaggerated feel to them that, conceptually, complements the record holder and their title. After all, these people have out-sized achievements, so it only makes sense that the settings feature some over-the-top elements. Darlene Flynn, who made the Guinness World Records for an exceptionally large collection of shoe-related items, is practically hidden among all of her pumps, boots, and heel-shaped furniture. Other images don’t have quite as much set dressing, but that’s because the feat is already visually over-the-top. Getti Kehayova’s extra-large hula hoop practically takes up the entire photo.
Each portrait was a different experience to shoot, but there is one record holder that stands out to the photographer. “Barrington Irving's world record (as of 2007, since broken again) of becoming the youngest person as well as the first person of color and first Jamaican to ever circumnavigate the globe in a solo flight left a lasting impression,” Shude admits to My Modern Met.
“The mental and physical excellence required to make this journey was astounding to hear about firsthand. In many instances, his life was in danger and to accomplish this at a time (24 years old) when most of us are just starting to figure out what to do with our lives is incredible. He continues to run a non-profit flight school for young, minority pilots called Experience Aviation.”
Scroll down to see more Guinness World Records holders. And for even more of Schude’s work, check out his book aptly titled Schude.
Photographer Ryan Schude reveals the faces (and pizza) behind Guinness World Record holders.
Barrington Irving, 24: Youngest Person to Circumnavigate the World Solo, Miami, Florida
“OMGitsfirefoxx” Sonja Reid: Most Followed Female on Twitch, Santa Clarita, California
Annie Leung: Guitar Hero High Score, Santa Monica, California
Benny Harlem: Largest High Top Fade, Los Angeles, California
The Glendale Cheerleading Squad: Most People Crammed Into A Smart Car, Glendale, California
Getti Kehayova: Largest Hula Hoop Spun by a Female, Las Vegas, Nevada
Darlene Flynn: Largest Collection of Shoe Related Items, Temecula, California
Ron Wade: Largest Collection of American Presidential Memorabilia, Longview, Texas
Big Mama's & Papa's Pizzeria: Largest Commercially Available Pizza, Hollywood, California
Rick Baker: Most Academy Awards for Makeup Artist, Glendale, California
Samantha Larson, 18: Youngest Person to Climb the Highest Summits on All 7 Continents, Soda Springs, California
Romulus: Tallest Donkey, Waxahatchie, Texas
Harbor: Longest Ears on a Dog, Vail, Colorado
Colonel Meow: Longest Fur on a Cat, West Hollywood, California
Abbey: Longest Wave Surfed by a Dog, San Diego, California
