Ulric Collette is a designer, graphic designer and photographer from Quebec City in Canada. He have created a unique project where he illustrates the genetic similarities between members of family by side-by-side ‘Genetic Portraits’. The idea of this project started when he photoshopped his own son’s image and was surprised to see the result.
Through this project he questions how much family members of the same family resemble or differ with each other, and the role of DNA taking part in the physical appearance of a person. Father to son, siblings, gradparents and cousins, Ulric explores how strong genetics could have an effect on one person’s look through many diverse branches of the family tree.
More info: Website | Instagram
#1
Grandmother/Granddaughter: Ginette, 61 And Ismaëlle, 12, 2013
“I started doing this genetic 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 it 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
Like twins!
#3
Sisters: Véronique, 32 And Catherine, 26, 2014
they definitely have the same beautiful smile
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
My goodness they look alike
#5
Sisters: Anne-Sophie, 19 And Pascale,16, 2011
You can hardly tell it’s two different people!
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
One face
#7
Mother/Daugther : Mireille, 37 And Maxim, 16, 2016
Which one is the mom???
#8
Sister/Brother: Ismaëlle, 12 And Nathan, 11, 2013
Same girl who is granddaughter with grandma in #1
#9
Brothers: Éric, 39 And Dany, 31, 2013
Looks like one guy with very interesting hair
#10
Twins: Laurence And Christine, 20, 2009
Identical or fraternal?
#11
Brother/Sister: Jean-Philippe, 29 And Véronique, 27, 2013
If it’s supposed to be halvsie halvsie why is her hair on his half
#12
Sisters: Élodie, 24 And Audrey, 30, 2014
She has my hair!
#13
Mother/Daughter: Julie, 61 And Isabelle, 32, 2011
this is just like photoshopping your younger half
#14
Cousin: Justine, 29 And Ulric, 29, 2009
Facial similarities are strong in this family
#15
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.
#16
Mother/Son: Ginette, 61 And Mathieu, 30, 2013
Whoa lol. Same features though.
#17
Daughter/Mother: Marilène, 35 And Réjeane, 64, 2013
wow, they look alike
#18
Sister/Brother: Pascale, 45 And David, 36, 2013
Very cute , if not a bit jarring.
#19
Brothers: Loyd, 30 And Jean-Philippe, 27, 2013
The beard tho
18
#20
Twins: Christine And Laurence, 25, 2014
Favourite!
#21
Sisters: Justine, 34 And Émilie, 36 2013
Just wow
#22
Brothers: Dany, 31 And Éric, 39, 2013
Amazing how the photographer is able to line up the subjects to achieve just the right pose.
#23
Sister/Brother: Geneviève, 33 And Jean-Michel, 30, 2013
I would love Jean- Michel’s number, thank you very much!
#24
Sisters: Catherine, 23 And Véronique, 29, 2010
They’re both gorgeous!
#25
Daughter/Mother: Marie-Andrée, 55 And Claudette, 81, 2013
Mother looks way younger her age!
#26
Brothers: Mathieu, 26 And Ulric, 29, 2009
I love the hair
#27
Cousins: Ulric, 34 And Justine, 34, 2013
Very similar facial features!
#28
Sisters: Gabrielle, 28 And Léa, 25, 2011
Pretty as a picture…oh, wait!
#29
Mother/Daughter: Johanne, 54 And Roxane, 22, 2012
Her mother looks really good for her age, such a soft kind smile
#30
Father/Son: Laval, 56 And Vincent, 29, 2009