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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

#1

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

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

geneticportraits Report

"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."

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    #2

    Brothers: Christophe, 30 And Ulric, 29, 2009

    Brothers: Christophe, 30 And Ulric, 29, 2009

    geneticportraits Report

    #3

    Sisters: Véronique, 32 And Catherine, 26, 2014

    Sisters: Véronique, 32 And Catherine, 26, 2014

    geneticportraits Report

    Erin Sheppard
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    they definitely have the same beautiful smile

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    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."

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    "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

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

    geneticportraits Report

    #5

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

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

    geneticportraits Report

    PandaLover
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can hardly tell it's two different people!

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    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."

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    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

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

    geneticportraits Report

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    #7

    Mother/Daugther : Mireille, 37 And Maxim, 16, 2016

    Mother/Daugther : Mireille, 37 And Maxim, 16, 2016

    geneticportraits Report

    #8

    Sister/Brother: Ismaëlle, 12 And Nathan, 11, 2013

    Sister/Brother: Ismaëlle, 12 And Nathan, 11, 2013

    geneticportraits Report

    Alejandra Acosta
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same girl who is granddaughter with grandma in #1

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    #9

    Brothers: Éric, 39 And Dany, 31, 2013

    Brothers: Éric, 39 And Dany, 31, 2013

    geneticportraits Report

    Erin Sheppard
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like one guy with very interesting hair

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    #10

    Twins: Laurence And Christine, 20, 2009

    Twins: Laurence And Christine, 20, 2009

    geneticportraits Report

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    #11

    Brother/Sister: Jean-Philippe, 29 And Véronique, 27, 2013

    Brother/Sister: Jean-Philippe, 29 And Véronique, 27, 2013

    geneticportraits Report

    HOUSE
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If it's supposed to be halvsie halvsie why is her hair on his half

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    #12

    Sisters: Élodie, 24 And Audrey, 30, 2014

    Sisters: Élodie, 24 And Audrey, 30, 2014

    geneticportraits Report

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    #13

    Mother/Daughter: Julie, 61 And Isabelle, 32, 2011

    Mother/Daughter: Julie, 61 And Isabelle, 32, 2011

    geneticportraits Report

    rai mei
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is just like photoshopping your younger half

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    #14

    Cousin: Justine, 29 And Ulric, 29, 2009

    Cousin: Justine, 29 And Ulric, 29, 2009

    geneticportraits Report

    My O My
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Facial similarities are strong in this family

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    #15

    Daughter/Mother: Geneviève, 33 And Marie-Andrée, 55, 2013

    Daughter/Mother: Geneviève, 33 And Marie-Andrée, 55, 2013

    geneticportraits Report

    DforDorothy
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    With such amazing similarity at least the girl already knows how she'll look like in 22 years.

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    #16

    Mother/Son: Ginette, 61 And Mathieu, 30, 2013

    Mother/Son: Ginette, 61 And Mathieu, 30, 2013

    geneticportraits Report

    Doober
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Whoa lol. Same features though.

    Kamryn McNamara
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The way the beard just cuts off halfway is extremely satisfying

    Friedlander Rosenzweig
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It shows how two people can look drastically different, but basically the same.

    Kaisu
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They have the same eyes!

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    #17

    Daughter/Mother: Marilène, 35 And Réjeane, 64, 2013

    Daughter/Mother: Marilène, 35 And Réjeane, 64, 2013

    geneticportraits Report

    #18

    Sister/Brother: Pascale, 45 And David, 36, 2013

    Sister/Brother: Pascale, 45 And David, 36, 2013

    geneticportraits Report

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    #19

    Brothers: Loyd, 30 And Jean-Philippe, 27, 2013

    Brothers: Loyd, 30 And Jean-Philippe, 27, 2013

    geneticportraits Report

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    #20

    Twins: Christine And Laurence, 25, 2014

    Twins: Christine And Laurence, 25, 2014

    geneticportraits Report

    #21

    Sisters: Justine, 34 And Émilie, 36 2013

    Sisters: Justine, 34 And Émilie, 36 2013

    geneticportraits Report

    #22

    Brothers: Dany, 31 And Éric, 39, 2013

    Brothers: Dany, 31 And Éric, 39, 2013

    geneticportraits Report

    Friedlander Rosenzweig
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Amazing how the photographer is able to line up the subjects to achieve just the right pose.

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    #23

    Sister/Brother: Geneviève, 33 And Jean-Michel, 30, 2013

    Sister/Brother: Geneviève, 33 And Jean-Michel, 30, 2013

    geneticportraits Report

    Robin Schoonheijt
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would love Jean- Michel’s number, thank you very much!

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    #24

    Sisters: Catherine, 23 And Véronique, 29, 2010

    Sisters: Catherine, 23 And Véronique, 29, 2010

    geneticportraits Report

    #25

    Daughter/Mother: Marie-Andrée, 55 And Claudette, 81, 2013

    Daughter/Mother: Marie-Andrée, 55 And Claudette, 81, 2013

    geneticportraits Report

    #26

    Brothers: Mathieu, 26 And Ulric, 29, 2009

    Brothers: Mathieu, 26 And Ulric, 29, 2009

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    #27

    Cousins: Ulric, 34 And Justine, 34, 2013

    Cousins: Ulric, 34 And Justine, 34, 2013

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    #28

    Sisters: Gabrielle, 28 And Léa, 25, 2011

    Sisters: Gabrielle, 28 And Léa, 25, 2011

    geneticportraits Report

    #29

    Mother/Daughter: Johanne, 54 And Roxane, 22, 2012

    Mother/Daughter: Johanne, 54 And Roxane, 22, 2012

    geneticportraits Report

    Kamryn McNamara
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Her mother looks really good for her age, such a soft kind smile

    #30

    Father/Son: Laval, 56 And Vincent, 29, 2009

    Father/Son: Laval, 56 And Vincent, 29, 2009

    geneticportraits Report

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