For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
There’s no need to suspend your disbelief when viewing these stunning photographs – the exquisite images aren’t the work of Photoshop, but real-life interactions between humans and animals.
Russian photographer Katerina Plotnikova captured the breath-taking scenes with the help of two professional animal trainers.
Evoking a mythical, fairy-tale world, the images transport the viewer to a place outside of space and time. They are, in Ms Plotnikova’s own words, “another tale about wonderland”.
In one an auburn-haired young woman holds out her hand to a grizzly bear, as though the majestic creature is asking her to dance.
In another image a young woman is seen embracing an elephant amid still waters, while one girl is depicted tenderly holding a fox.
Gentle and serene, the surreal photographs are a world away from modern life and a perpetually “switched-on” digital world.
Russian photographer takes stunning images with real animals
Show all 10
Lose yourself in this whimsical land of innocence where the lines between fantasy and reality are blurred…
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies