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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!
More info: Website | Instagram
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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 Bored Panda. "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."
Brothers: Christophe, 30 And Ulric, 29, 2009
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."
Father/Son: Claude, 54 And Benoit, 23, 2013
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!
Son/Mother: Kristof, 19 And Madined, 41, 2017
Mother/Daugther : Mireille, 37 And Maxim, 16, 2016
Sister/Brother: Ismaëlle, 12 And Nathan, 11, 2013
Brothers: Éric, 39 And Dany, 31, 2013
Twins: Laurence And Christine, 20, 2009
Brother/Sister: Jean-Philippe, 29 And Véronique, 27, 2013
Sisters: Élodie, 24 And Audrey, 30, 2014
Mother/Daughter: Julie, 61 And Isabelle, 32, 2011
Cousin: Justine, 29 And Ulric, 29, 2009
Daughter/Mother: Geneviève, 33 And Marie-Andrée, 55, 2013
With such amazing similarity at least the girl already knows how she'll look like in 22 years.
Mother/Son: Ginette, 61 And Mathieu, 30, 2013
Daughter/Mother: Marilène, 35 And Réjeane, 64, 2013
Sister/Brother: Pascale, 45 And David, 36, 2013
Brothers: Loyd, 30 And Jean-Philippe, 27, 2013
Twins: Christine And Laurence, 25, 2014
Sisters: Justine, 34 And Émilie, 36 2013
Brothers: Dany, 31 And Éric, 39, 2013
Amazing how the photographer is able to line up the subjects to achieve just the right pose.
Sister/Brother: Geneviève, 33 And Jean-Michel, 30, 2013
Sisters: Catherine, 23 And Véronique, 29, 2010
Daughter/Mother: Marie-Andrée, 55 And Claudette, 81, 2013
Brothers: Mathieu, 26 And Ulric, 29, 2009
Cousins: Ulric, 34 And Justine, 34, 2013
Sisters: Gabrielle, 28 And Léa, 25, 2011
Mother/Daughter: Johanne, 54 And Roxane, 22, 2012
Father/Son: Laval, 56 And Vincent, 29, 2009
These are amazing, I would love to see one of me and my mom or daughter!!
These are SOOOO incredible WOWEEEEE. I am adopted and just met my sister at age 48. Everyone says we do not need the paperwork so I find genetics particularly incredible having not known anyone that looked like me before! So thank you <3
I couldn't unsee the damage the 00's did on some of those poor eyebrows...
This would look weird with me and either of my parents since I'm a mix of their skin colours (my dad is aboriginal, with darker skin and black hair and my mum is pasty white with mousy blonde hair)
How often do you hear someone say, you two look like twins or how you look just like your daughter/son? Then you answer.. naw, nope, no way!! Hmmm, these pics are a real awakening.
Fascinating idea. I'd like to try it with my sons who all look quite different, but it would be interesting to see how much they actually share
At first glance I thought: huh, that person has some odd facial symmetry. Finding out that it is two people... Impressively close!
I cannot say that I look like my twin brother. Not once in my 47 year life, I had looked at him wondering if its my brother or me. Others, have had a lot more problems, though.
Interesting idea but girls should not have make-up, because it can change their features.
But it doesn't change how the features sit/lie
Load More Replies...These are amazing, I would love to see one of me and my mom or daughter!!
These are SOOOO incredible WOWEEEEE. I am adopted and just met my sister at age 48. Everyone says we do not need the paperwork so I find genetics particularly incredible having not known anyone that looked like me before! So thank you <3
I couldn't unsee the damage the 00's did on some of those poor eyebrows...
This would look weird with me and either of my parents since I'm a mix of their skin colours (my dad is aboriginal, with darker skin and black hair and my mum is pasty white with mousy blonde hair)
How often do you hear someone say, you two look like twins or how you look just like your daughter/son? Then you answer.. naw, nope, no way!! Hmmm, these pics are a real awakening.
Fascinating idea. I'd like to try it with my sons who all look quite different, but it would be interesting to see how much they actually share
At first glance I thought: huh, that person has some odd facial symmetry. Finding out that it is two people... Impressively close!
I cannot say that I look like my twin brother. Not once in my 47 year life, I had looked at him wondering if its my brother or me. Others, have had a lot more problems, though.
Interesting idea but girls should not have make-up, because it can change their features.
But it doesn't change how the features sit/lie
Load More Replies...