You’re sneaking around Blackwell Academy at night, the moon is hitting the pool water just right, and honestly, all you want to do is figure out where those tiny optional conversations are hiding. But if you’re a completionist playing Chaos Theory, you know the struggle. Max Caulfield’s diary isn’t going to fill itself. Finding all the Life is Strange Episode 3 photos is about more than just a trophy or an achievement; it’s about capturing the quiet, weird moments that make Arcadia Bay feel real.
Some of these are easy. Others? They require you to mess with time in ways that feel a bit like cheating, but hey, that’s the game.
Starting the hunt in the dorms
The first one is almost a freebie, but you’d be surprised how many people walk right past it. Once you’re in the girls' dorm, you need to head toward the bathroom. Victoria Chase is usually being, well, Victoria, but you aren't looking at her. Instead, look for Dana’s room. You can’t just barge in and take a photo of her; that’s creepy even for Max. You have to talk to her first.
Basically, you need to trigger a conversation about her being upset. Once she lets you in, or rather, once you've had the interaction, look at the wastepaper basket near her desk. There’s a pregnancy test in there. It’s a heavy moment. Max snaps a photo of it, and that’s your first collectible for the episode. It’s titled "Parallax" in your journal.
Moving outside, things get a bit more "nature-themed."
There is a squirrel sitting on a bench near the dorm exit. It's just vibing. But if you get too close, it bolts. This is where your rewind power becomes a literal camera tool. Walk up, scare the squirrel, then rewind time until it's back on the bench while you’re standing right there. It’s a neat trick. You’ll find this one right by the path leading toward the school.
The Blackwell break-in and the science lab
Things get significantly more stressful once you and Chloe Price decide to break into the school. You’re looking for those Life is Strange Episode 3 photos while avoiding Wells, which adds a layer of tension that the earlier episodes lacked.
Inside the science lab, there's a fish tank.
Most players just walk past it because they're focused on finding ingredients for the pipe bomb. Don’t do that. Walk up to the tank and turn on the light. The fish will react, and Max will get a prompt to take a photo. It’s a simple shot, but it’s one of those easily missed interactions if you’re rushing the story.
While you're still in the lab, look for the skeleton. It’s a classic school trope, right? But this one is wearing a cigarette in its mouth, thanks to some rebellious student. You need to stand at just the right angle to get the "Photo" prompt to appear. It's tucked in the corner, and honestly, it’s one of the more iconic images from this specific chapter.
The pool and the morning after
Late-night swimming is great until you realize you’ve missed a collectible. When you’re in the locker rooms before jumping into the pool with Chloe, head toward the showers. There is a series of lockers, and one of them is open. Inside, there's a small stack of books and a mess. It’s not the most exciting photo, but it counts.
Then comes the morning at the Price household.
This is where the game slows down. The atmosphere is thick. After you wake up and head downstairs, go into the kitchen. Joyce is usually busy, but before you talk to her, check the window near the sink. There’s a bird. Or rather, there’s a bird that wants to be in the photo.
Wait.
Actually, the bird is usually dead or trapped depending on your previous choices, but for this specific photo, you need to interact with the window to let it in or out. It’s a multi-step process. You have to open the window in the hallway, then go to the kitchen, then scare the bird toward the window. Once it’s perched outside on the fence, that’s your shot. It’s titled "Whale Tail" (metaphorically speaking) in some guides, but it’s really just a bird on a fence. It’s peaceful.
The Diner and the "Big" Secret
The most annoying photo in the episode—and maybe the whole game—is at the Two Whales Diner. You’ll be standing outside talking to a bunch of NPCs. Look at the parking lot. There’s a truck. Not just any truck, but a massive, gleaming semi-truck.
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The trucker is standing nearby. If you try to take a photo of his truck, he gets aggressive. He doesn’t want you touching his rig.
To get the photo, you have to talk to him. He’ll shut you down. Then, you have to use your knowledge of his life (which you gain by talking to him and then rewinding) to impress him. Ask him about his truck. Specifically, ask about the "Rachel Amber" connection or the model of the truck. Once he softens up and gives you permission, you can walk around to the front of the vehicle and snap the picture.
Behind the diner, there’s also a pile of dead birds. It’s grim. It’s part of the whole "the world is ending" vibe Arcadia Bay has going on. You’ll find them in the corner by the fence, near the dumpster. It’s an easy one to grab before you head inside to meet Frank.
The Final Stretch: Chloe’s Room (Again)
Before the episode reaches its massive, reality-shattering climax, you’ll find yourself back in Chloe’s room while she’s at her desk. She’s busy researching, but if you stand behind her, you can take a photo of her working. This one is almost impossible to miss unless you just ignore her entirely and walk straight to the door.
Quick Checklist for the Road
- The Pregnancy Test: Dana's room, in the trash.
- The Squirrel: On the bench outside the dorms (use rewind).
- The Fish Tank: Science lab, turn on the light first.
- The Skeleton: Science lab, back corner.
- The Locker: Men's locker room at the pool.
- The Bird: Price household kitchen (requires "herding" the bird).
- The Truck: Outside the diner (requires talking to the trucker).
- The Dead Birds: Behind the diner.
- Chloe at her Desk: Final scene in the present day.
Why these photos actually matter
Look, Life is Strange is a game about moments. The developers at Dontnod didn't just put these in for the sake of "content." Each photo represents Max’s perspective on the world. She’s a photographer; it’s how she processes trauma and beauty. When you take a photo of a dead bird or a pregnancy test, you’re documenting the loss of innocence in Arcadia Bay.
If you're aiming for the "Pilot" achievement or just want to see everything Max has to say in her journal, these are essential. The journal entries that accompany these photos often provide much more context into Max's headspace than the dialogue does.
Actionable Next Steps
- Load Up Collectible Mode: If you’ve already finished the episode, don’t restart the whole thing. Use "Collectible Mode" from the main menu. It lets you jump into specific scenes without overwriting your story choices.
- Check Your Journal: Hit the Tab key (or your controller equivalent) and flip to the back. If a photo is a grey silhouette, you missed it. Use the silhouettes as visual clues; they usually hint at the composition of the shot.
- Listen for the Audio Cue: When Max is in the right spot for a photo, there’s often a very subtle change in the ambient sound or a specific prompt that only appears when you're standing still. If you're running, you might miss the "Photo" prompt entirely.
- Watch the Lighting: Most photos in Episode 3 rely on you interacting with the environment first (turning on a light, opening a window). If you see a prompt to "Look" at something, check if there's a secondary "Intervention" prompt that leads to a photo.