Side-By-Side ‘Genetic Portraits’ Of Family Members Show Just How Strong Family DNA Is (30 Pics)

Ulric Collette’s work asks the essential questions about our own identity. Who are we? Where do we come from? How much do family members resemble each other, and how do they differ? What is the role of genetic traits in the physical appearance of a person?

Ulric is a graphic designer and photographer from Quebec City in Canada. He has created this unique photo series, where he explores his ideas by illustrating the genetic similarities between different members of the same family. From father to son (it was when photoshopping his own son’s image that this ingenious photo idea came to him) to siblings, grandparents, and cousins, Ulric explores the power of genetics across many different branches of the family tree with side by side comparisons.

Scroll down below to see Ulric’s interesting photos work for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!

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#1 Grandmother/Granddaughter: Ginette, 61 And Ismaëlle, 12, 2013

“I started doing this genetic portrait photography series in 2008 while doing a photo per day challenge,” Ulric told We. “I had made a lot of self-portraiture at the time, and made the first one of me and my 7 year old son a little bit by accident while trying something really different in photoshop.”

“I published the photo manipulation on Flickr at the time and the response was great so I decided to try it out with other people, family and friends at first, and so on… The project went viral a few time since then.”

“’I’ve made a few exhibits around the world, in Montreal, Belgium and the U.S. and featured in a few art books and magazines,” Ulric continues. “I’ve also made the final at the Canne Lion in 2012 for a foundation project. My work is currently on display at the Transportation Mall Photography Exhibit at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta.”

#2 Brothers: Christophe, 30 And Ulric, 29, 2009

#3 Sisters: Véronique, 32 And Catherine, 26, 2014

Ulric would love to release a book of his work one day, although he hasn’t gotten around to it just yet. “It would be great to do this with famous people and their family, maybe it could make a great book!” he said. We agree!

“There’s a lot of detail in my photographs, and I’ve learned a lot over time on how the best light the subject and what I need in my photo for it to work,” he continues. “I’ve received a lot of photographs from families over time and for the most part, It would not work if people just sent their photos to me.”

“Most of the time the photos are too small, there are no details or the lighting is really different in the two photographs. For me, it is really important that I do the entire process by myself.”

#4 Father/Son: Claude, 54 And Benoit, 23, 2013

#5 Sisters: Anne-Sophie, 19 And Pascale,16, 2011

Although Ulric is no scientist, his experience in photographing families in this way has really opened his eyes to the physical manifestations of family DNA. “I’ve learned a few generic facts on genetics along the way but really had no way to prove anything, unfortunately,” he says. “For example, I’ve been told that daughters tend to look a lot like their grandmother from the father’s side of the family.”

Do you have a family member that you strongly resemble? What do you think about Ulric’s revealing photography? Let us know what you think and feel free to share your own stories in the comments!

#6 Son/Mother: Kristof, 19 And Madined, 41, 2017