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Contrary to popular belief, the life of a photo researcher is not all glitz and excitement. While there are occupational perks such as Bento Box Day in the cafeteria and free issues of the magazine, the majority of my time is spent on the less glamorous (but very enjoyable) task of sifting through countless images to try and find the hidden gems. Although I rarely leave my desk during the day, my job lets me digitally globe-trot to archives, institutions, and individuals around the world. In my virtual travels, I see a lot. In the past year, I’ve researched everything from Lyndon Johnson to Bob Marley to World Accordion Day.

There is, however, a dark side to my job. Each research subject has led me down a photographic rabbit hole, with way leading on to way. As I’ve scoured the Internet, I have seen things that, for better or worse, I cannot forget. I now know what a mixed-doubles underwater table-tennis match in shark-infested waters looks like. I have seen an elephant get a pedicure. How many of you close your eyes and picture what a photo caption described as “Three men spend some serious time with some Spanish Moss on their faces”?

There is only so much that one photo researcher can take. With the hope of maintaining my sanity so I can research for another year, I’m unloading on all of you just a few of the many odd images I’ve encountered this past year, captioned as I found them.