Not every Panda image begins the same way.
Many of the earliest photographs were never intended to become public artwork or collectibles. They were simple messages shared in real moments while apart.
Because of this, Panda images exist in several forms, each representing a different level of connection to the original moment.
These different forms also make it possible to offer pieces at a variety of levels — from rare, deeply personal moments preserved exactly as first shared, to more widely accessible editions that allow more people to participate in Panda’s journey.
These distinctions are part of the story of Panda Around the Earth — preserving not only the places Panda travels, but also the way those moments were experienced and shared.
First Send
The exact image captured and shared in the moment, often created directly inside a messaging app and preserved as the only existing copy.
Shared Image
An image originally captured on a device and then shared through messaging, preserving the version that was actually sent.
Archive Image
The original device file preserved separately from the shared version.
Outtake
Additional photographs captured during the same moment or location that were never originally shared.
The Genesis Image
The first Panda image taken at Shasta Springs holds a unique place within the project.
It was never intended to become part of a public collection. It was simply the first moment Panda was shared — the beginning of the journey.
Because of its significance as the origin of Panda Around the Earth, the Genesis image stands apart from all others within the collection.
It is not simply another photograph, but the starting point from which the entire journey emerged.