Two sisters from Utah have solved the mystery behind a framed beach photo they discovered in a San Diego Airbnb that showed members of their own family, a discovery that went viral on TikTok and left viewers both amused and unsettled. Libby Birrell, 19, and Aubrey Birrell, 26, were staying at a rental home in Oceanside, California, in early July with about 30 relatives to celebrate their grandfather’s 80th birthday when they spotted the picture on the wall. The sisters immediately recognized themselves, their father, and their brother in the image, which they believe was taken about a decade ago during a family trip to Mission Beach or Imperial Beach for their brother’s soccer tournament.
“The moment we saw it, we made everyone come up and look, and they were all in awe,” Aubrey Birrell told Fox News Digital. “I started FaceTiming my friends because they all know my family. They were in shock, too. It was crazy.” The sisters said the discovery felt “really strange” and “eerie,” especially during their first night in the home. “Did they know we were coming? We were just feeling a little confused, a little eerie, but also it was just shocking,” Aubrey added.
The mystery was resolved when the sisters asked the host about the photo. The host explained that the home’s decorator is a San Diego photographer who takes aerial beach photographs and enlarges them as artwork for vacation rentals. The photographer had likely captured the Birrell family during one of their beach outings years ago, without their knowledge. “She must have captured us when we were there,” Aubrey said. The family recalled the swimsuits they were wearing in the photo and the timing of the trip, confirming their belief that the image was taken about 10 years ago.
The viral video, which the sisters posted on TikTok, prompted a wave of reactions from viewers. Some joked that the family should leave the rental immediately, comparing the situation to the start of a horror movie. Others shared similar stories of spotting themselves in photographs in stores, on pamphlets, or in other unexpected places. “A lot of people were telling us we should leave, that it was like the start of a horror movie,” Aubrey recalled. “A lot of people also shared similar experiences, like seeing themselves in a picture frame at a store or spotting themselves on a pamphlet in another state. It was kind of cool to hear those stories.”
Some commenters claimed they had seen the same beach photograph hanging in other vacation rentals and homes in states including Florida. While those claims were unconfirmed, they added to the sense of curiosity and mild unease surrounding the image. The sisters said the host offered to give them a copy of the print, and they plan to accept the offer as a keepsake of the unusual experience. “I feel all right with it. I was telling [our host] that if we could get a print from the photographer, that would be so cool, just so we could always remember it. I think it’s fun,” Aubrey said. “And if anyone else who stays at that [rental home] sees the video, they can go look for the picture.”
The Birrell sisters’ story highlights how everyday objects in rental properties can sometimes hold surprising personal connections. The incident also underscores the widespread use of stock photography and local artwork in vacation rentals, which can occasionally intersect with guests’ own lives in unexpected ways. For the Birrell family, what began as an eerie discovery has turned into a memorable story and a unique souvenir from their grandfather’s birthday celebration.
