Side-By-Side ‘Genetic Portraits’ Of Family Members Show Just How Strong Family DNA Is (24 Pics)

Ulric Collette’s project began in a playful and unexpected way. He explained, “Honestly, it all began while messing around in Photoshop with a portrait of my son. I happened to have a similar picture of myself, and out of curiosity, I combined the two. The result was strangely powerful. It revealed both our connection and our differences in a single image. That playful experiment quickly turned into something deeper, and it grew into a long-running exploration of family, identity, and heredity.” What started as a simple experiment has grown into a long-term project that explores the bonds between family members.

Over the years, Ulric refined his technique to create seamless and natural-looking portraits. He said, “At first, the project was very experimental and instinctive. Over time, I refined the technical side, especially the lighting and the way I merged the portraits. I wanted the result to feel as natural and seamless as possible, almost like a face that could really exist. Keeping the lighting consistent and neutral was essential to highlight the subtleties in the features and let the family resemblance speak on its own.” His careful approach ensures that the portraits feel both realistic and revealing.

The project often uncovers surprising details about family resemblances. Ulric reflected, “Sometimes the resemblances are striking, other times completely unexpected. Certain portraits reveal traits I hadn’t noticed at all, and often the people I photograph see details I would have missed—small expressions or family features that only they recognize.” These discoveries show how genetics can create both obvious and subtle connections between relatives.

Reactions to the portraits are usually intense and emotional. Ulric described, “Their reactions are usually very emotional: some are touched, others surprised, sometimes even unsettling. It’s as if the portrait reveals both a connection and a strangeness at the same time, which makes it so powerful.” His work captures not just physical likenesses but also the emotional impact of seeing family members combined in a single image.