The film has an interesting turn of events as Sy's intentions to be closer to the family, backfire when he develops infidelity images of the Yorkins, in a fit of rage. The audience will witness his adamant desire to become more socially involved as he uses his profession as a mask to bring him closer to his desires. The story leads audience members into Sy's isolated lonely world as a photo technician and a person who hungers for human companionship. This happens, consequently after he copies their pictures for his own private collection. As Sy's obsession becomes stronger for the family, he eventually quietly sees himself as a member of the family. The family is unaware of Sy's lonely personal life, but they have always adored their work relationship with them. Sy has a long history with the Yorkin family and have had them as a clientele since their only son was an infant. The cheery family fills up the lonely gap in Sy's life and he finds that he does anything to keep them coming back for more, while keeping him company. Sy's lonely lifestyle leads him to becoming obsessed with his favorite clients, the Yorkin family who begin to have a profound affect on his photo profession. Although he is very fulfilled with his job and his lifestyle as a photo lab technician, he wishes for more personal companionship. One Hour Photo written by Mark Romanek follows the story of a workaholic photography technician named Sy who is focused on burying himself in his work, to forget his lonely life.

The audience may relate to the loneliness that Sy feels, along with the disappointment he experiences along the way, just trying to find people he can relate to and be a part of. Sy's actions not only threaten his job but his relationship with the family. His world turns upside down from this point as he discovers that the family is not what they seem.

One hour photo movie