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Russian Photographer Captures Fairy-Tale Scenes With REAL Animals
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When Moscow-based photographer Darya Kondratyeva isn’t snapping family, maternity or baby photos, she creates enchanting photos that seem like re-interpretations of old fairytales or legends. The models in her photos seem like they could be witches, princesses or forest spirits.
Aside from her models, trained animals feature heavily in Kondratyeva’s fantasy photography as well. Each one seems like it might open its mouth and whisper a wise secret into the model’s ear.
Kondratyeva’s work is similar to that of Katerina Plotnikova and Margarita Kareva, two other Russian photographers we’ve written about who also have sharp eyes for capturing folkloric images and settings.
More info: dasha-kond.com | Vkontakte
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I don't recall Merida being half naked.
The image of Merida appears disturbingly sexified to me.
me either.......cool though.
i don't real her making out with bears either.....that is disturbing.......
Yeah... I noticed and objected to this....
I guess it's just that the photographer wants to view the characters in his style, you know!
The photographer is a female. And Merida wasn't in her 20's in the movie either.
If they belong to a sanctuary, the money you acquire from doing this should go to help them. They are not toys.
Using animals for entertainment makes me very, very sad. That poor bear.. Bored Panda, why feature this abuse? A toothless bear? Seriously?
where do you see an abuse?.. oh you just assume they were abused..
The concept is cruel...using wild animals as photo-props is cruel, regardless of anything else that is or isn't happening
Has no one realized this is from Russia, and we have circuses with wild animals who are already trained.
Anyone else realize u couldn't see the teeth on any of these photos even if the were there?
Disgusting example of animal cruelty. Wild animals belong in the wild...if rescued in a sanctuary..not on a photoset, note the lack of teeth
Did it ever come to your mind that the bear might be a rescue, and can no longer survive in the wild BECAUSE it lacks teeth?
Did it ever occur to you that it is common place for animals to have their teeth removed to be used in photography and other media?
I did not notice any teeth missing off the animals. If this is true, I withdraw my previous, positive comment!
The bear has teeth, dipshit. Their lips are elongated and extend past the jawline. They aid in grasping, like fingers. Read a book.
The bear is missing it's upper and lower canines...incidentally they do have upper and lower canines...
How do you personally know these animals are being treated cruelly?
"Wild animal trained to do tricks for camera= cruel" so teaching a dog to sit is cruel? the production of Marley And Me was cruel? shut up.
S/he does; they just want to start shit for shits sake...
@Rhianna dogs are domesticated animals not wild animals...perhaps think or do a little research before showing your ignorance online
Wild animal trained to do tricks for camera= cruel. If rescued belongs in a sanctuary not exploited for human entertainment
Disgusting example of a person's judgement.
Paul - Cool your tits! It's honestly some beautiful work! How do you know, for sure, by means of (all) training - It's simply cruelty?
these arent abused animals...I looked it up...
The difference between those of us who care about animals and those of us who live in a fantasy world where bears live with humans happily
Always someone has to take a wrong turn on something honestly beautiful. How about getting out in the world, doing something; enjoy life!
I work with a conservation and rescue charity that deals with the above...and travel the world...hence my "strong" views on the above
thank you seriously it looks like you guys are just wanting attention
The claws are still there, The bear could have clawed her to death, why didn't the remove the claws? huh? huh?. Not everybody abuses animals
That's where the training comes in and incidentally it is the training that is cruel not just the physical altercation that sometimes occurs
For Fuck sake it's a photograph don't you have more important things to worry about
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It is my job dealing with the consequences of the above...
So, according to your logic, all photographed wild animals are the subject of animal cruelty if they aren't in their natural habitat?
If they are used as photo-props, then it is highly likely yes.
May I ask what makes you think these animals are abused? Couldn't they have been rescued from cruel places and now are treated with respect?
shut it
did it ever occur to you that these animals might be pets...kept from when they were babies and tamed...???
Did you know that animals like cats and dogs can also be wild and aggressive, but we share with them enough, they don't harm us.
@PaulReynolds i am going to laugh if you get eaten by a cougar or a pack of wolves !
Humans created cats and dogs through artificial selection. Have you ever seen a poodle in the wild?
@JuniperRose I am not sure what your point is? I pointed out that domestic animals are not wild animals?
Cats and dogs are domesticated animals not wild animals...domesticated animals thrive alongside man after 1000s of years of selective breedi
Those animals have their mouth close, they are licking the model or just simply smelling her. You are not gonna see teeth like that.
It's not just about the teeth the cruelty involved with using wild animals as photoprops=well known trade negative to welfare + conservation
For fuck sake it's a photograph! Don't you have more important things to worry about?
PaulReynolds, best slacktivist ever. Comes on a website where most pictures are of animals... to complain.
Far from a slacktivist and yes pictures of wild animals doing tricks is wrong, came up in news feed, so got involved...crime?
kinda think nothing would please you at all Paul...go home
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Not seeing the promotion of animal cruelty would please me it is remarkable what people assume when you go against what they want to believe
who do you work for, peta? get your shit and get the hell out of here. you're probably hurting animals more than the photographer is. bigot.
@Paul You are also vegetarian, correct?
No...and my entire life is dedicated to helping animals and conserving primates...do not post your nonsense here.
@prayingmantis I am indeed?
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How dare you start throwing such nonsensical statements around, you no doubt support the sort of work above thus hurting animals! Disgusting
It's also possible that the bear, for one, may be a product of a circus that closed down and that the photographer is blameless.
All of just don't have facts come back and post some REAL evidence that these animals are abused
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Other than the fact that she is still endorsing the use of it for tricks...i.e posing with people for photos
Oh yeah definitely looks abused….that's why the bear are showing affection by giving them kisses instead of ripping them apart.
I'm with you on this one. The pictures are as stupid as they are beautiful.
note the claws for rending the model in half if it wanted to
I totally agree, Bears foxes and birds are wild animals and and their use for something like that can only be considered as abuse.
booooo
This is animal cruelty! I cannot believe the poster below you sayin "because it lacks teeth" Only humans remove teeth! Good observation Paul
That bear looks really unhappy... totally.
What about the well being of that high horse you've perched yourself on?
High horse? Because I am commenting about animal abuse? So you support animal abuse then right? I do enjoy replying to uneducated comments..
may I repeat my previous comment that you people are arguing for arguing's sake we have different opinions deal with it people
Paul are you "pro choice"? Part of the save the animals and kill our babies crowd? You seem very angry.
When you see the consequences of what the above represents it does make you angry, particularly the ignorance to it by the general public
What does that have to do with any of this?
Crows don't have teeth.
Did it ever occur to you that no it isnt common place for that to happen. Do some research. A message from concerned animal rights activist
An animal rights activist that isn't concerned with the exploitation of animals for entertainment?
Also, they could have been raised near the humans or had plenty contacts with them and they are okay with it.
Um, don't you think you are being so judgmental? Has it occurred to you that this could be part of getting income to support the sanctuary?
By exploiting its animals? Should orphanages start making models out of their children? There are ethical ways to raise money!
My dick is confussed, tohse are great pictures but the use of trained animals is just not right :(
ANIMALS SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR HUMAN ENTERTAINMENT. IT IS CRUEL. VERY CREATIVE BUT STILL SORRY IT WAS DISAPPOINTING
You can clearly see that the animals are posing willfully, without chains or being tamed. Your comment would make sense in a Circus
I don't clearly see if they've been given drugs or beaten as part of their "willful" training. They won't show that. Read between the lines.
WHAT! Since when do you see the chains in a circus? You clearly have not idea about how animals are trained.
yeah yeah, after the shooting, they put the bear in nature with mickey mouse and daffy duck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce4DJh-L7Ys
well said
They actually look very peaceful, their fur is neat and they seem to alert and healty...
to be* alert And I want to add that I've seen zoos and circuses and it was SO different than what is shown here (not in a good way) :(
I was thinking exactly so. I see no scars, burns, no bruises. these animals were never abused, harmed, let alone forced against their will.
This is a posed photograph it is meant to look peaceful and nice, they keep the animals in good physical condition but they suffer mentally
of course they look healty lolilolo you think they are taking "fairy photos" with sick animals? But you don"t need to be free to be healthy
i dont see any animal being beaten or hurt. this would even in fact promote awareness on how to treat animals properly
Sadly with animal training not everyone uses positive reinforcement. Who knows how these animals were trained to 'behave' for the camera.
That previous comment wasnt for you..........idk why its there sorry. computer problems.
hmm maybe if they shoot when they beat the bear, the photos will not be a succes...
are the animals being hurt, tortured or mamed? no
Wild animals, like the bear, should be in the wild. Not have all of his teeth knocked out and TRAINED.
How the fuck would you know?
should we wait for torture to free animals?
are they part of haynis experiments? no
Id bet my life you eat meat and things with animal biproducts from factory farms.
This isnt where I posted ><
You do realize in some movies they use animals that were captured so they can pay them right?
You're right! We need to bring back gladiators! Then Rollerball! Fight Club! HUNGER GAMES!
Amazing...
Kitsch.
Half-naked bitches next to wild animals - how very original! Bears, obviously trained and therefore from circus, or foxes from fur farm? Fuc
The animals don't look right. The fox looks away, the owl looks scared, elk is terrified, the bear -- toothless.
Spot on!
All of the animals other than the bear all seem scared but they're just watching out for predators or danger.
Yes they are amazing pictures, but who says which animals give their lives up for this guy to become successful.... absolutely disgusting
The only forceful interaction between humans and animals should be to keep animals away from human territory for safety reasons.
Animals should live freely in their own habitat. Animals should not be held captive in zoo's for human entertainment.
The only people that should take pictures with animals are people who actually know and live with these animals in a free environment.
Hear hear!
Animals in the zoo are captives, to be looked at for human pleasure. Animals should live freely in their own habitat.
wow
The money they acquire from doing this should go to the sanctuary they are in. If they are for entretainment only... that's not ok.
The lady with the bear cub is simply gorgeous
creative
so cool, this is like.......book cover worthy!
awesome
This is art people. Sounds like one person gets their panties in a bunch and everyone else has to follow suit and bandwagon. Boohoo.
Yea :)
the bear is so cute and the girl is so beautiful holy shit!
This is a beautiful interpretation~ all you purists are entitled to your brutal opinions but you're idiots~
This is a beautiful interpretation~ all of you oversensitive purists are entitled to your brutal opinions but you're idiots :)
she must be freezing
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!
Boring sunset photography resembling soft porn rather than artfilm. The animal abuse is the real downer though.
I THINK THE PICTURES ARE BEAUTIFUL AS WELL AS THE ANIMALS AND YOUNG LADIES.
where did you get the Gretal dress? that IS BEAUTIFUL!
I don't see a single photo here where the bear even has the mouth open far enough to tell whether it has canines or not.
I don't see a single photo here where you would even be able to tell if the bear has canines or not.
I did not notice any teeth missing off the animals. If this is true, I withdraw my previous, positive comment!
Wonderful, whimsical imagery. LOVE the psychic connection with the animals!
LOVE THESE! WUNDERBAR!
And the fox shown is a domesticated silver fox. made headlines a few years back for creating a species of domestifox (Shown in photograph)
The bear is missing teeth. This is actually a common tactic in Russia for bear training and you will also see it in many circus animals.
so beautiful <3
I think the artist and the models are incredible. The photos are amazing. I see no "animal cruelty" whatsoever. Talented indeed
Don't feed the trolls. It is fairly obvious that a certain person is just here to start ish.... don't fall for it people
Wow these pictures are amazing! It's somewhat rare to see pics like these with actual animals which add a little magic to each picture c:
Yeah , really see a lot of that going on here. .. I know animals , I love animals, clearly Paul you have issues ...
as: physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, assault, violation, rape, unjust practices; crimes, or other types of aggression
Abuse is the improper usage or treatment of an entity, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit.[1] Abuse can come in many forms, such
Russian bears I can believe, but a camel?! Great pictures, and lovely to see those happy smiley faces on the animals. They were loving it
This is beautiful. I wish my life could be like this.
wtf you should be nicer that person took time and i bet u that the fotografer did not let the bear back in wild but fed it
Beautiful Photography, Trusting Models
Beatiful Photos, Trusting Models
I love the costumes and the animals portaid in picture with the models. It let's out a feeling of peace between animals and people. <3
I think PaulReynolds makes some very important points and should be taken seriously. Animal abuse is a huge problem all over the world.
Good job. .
Oh my gosh, I would be TOTALLY freaked out if I were the model hugging the bear! Those are still wild animals, you know!
I would like to be the bear, or trade places for a while...
Animal abusers. Animals are NOT here for OUR entertainment.
That is cool that the photographer used real animals
They're gorgeous! Not familiar with Merida.
I didn't know Bears and other wild animals knew their rights under the US Constitution. I like photos with pretty girls. Bears do too.
Wow. Never have i seen as live and beautiful shoots before. In love with this so natural and beautiful well done on the creation ♥
Love this work ♥
Wow, these are beautiful photos, have never seen something as live and beautiful before. Love every shoot ♥
want to be a bear now
amazing
Beautiful photo's! All the kiddies need to go to bed now...
How do you do this without getting your face ripped off?
Disgusting, animal cruelty.
Beautiful.
Half-naked bitches next to wild animals - how very original! Trained bears or foxes (from russian fur farms?) Fuck you very much - NO!
Half-naked bitches next to wild animals - how very original! Bears, obviously trained and therefore from circus, or foxes from fur farm? Fuc
Half-naked bitches next to wild animals - how very original! Trained bears or foxes (from russian fur farms?) Fuck you very much - NO!
Simply amazing. Thanks God she`s still alive.
Guys! She put so much effort into this and you're just dissing it! To those who are supporting her, Thank you! But to those who diss, Don't!
Don't "diss" animal abuse because someone took their time composing it...
What if it wasn't? What if the animal's were trained?
cantiknya gambar yang diambil.
Wonderful and beautiful pictures. Must have been hard to get just right.
Why don't you go and speak with Russian photographer about your issues. I don't see how arguing amongst each other on a shitty website helps
everyone makes too much of stuff. i bet half the people enraged by this eat animals everyday. it's nice work!
There is a lot of assuming going on. You know what they say about assuming.....some of you are just making ass's out of your selves.
A REAL BEAR ?!
Beautiful pictures. Keep them coming.
LOL why is there an unnecessarily slutty merida
Just beautiful! Gorgeous portrayals of times long ago and the models, animals and clothing are breathtaking! Darya does superb work!
I think these photos were absolutely beautiful.
Great Photos
I'd like to see the models look more like real women who might live in the forest. Not Barbie dolls. they are too artificial and made up.
She looks like she wants to fuck those animals.
Its like your dog. Dogs are wild animals. But your dog is friendly. Same thing. Problem solved.
Dogs are not wild animals...domesticated animals...bears are wild animals...wild animals do not thrive alongside man...domestic ones do.
And how did dogs become domesticated?
Everyone calm down! These are all rescue animals, or bred in captivity and are in no way being abused. Theyre just friendly.
that bear doesn't have any teeth! Looks like a GummyBear (;
Beautifully done! I love it.
Niesamowite!
ANIMALS SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR HUMAN ENTERTAINMENT.
ANIMALS SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR HUMAN ENTERTAINMENT.
Love them!
Love them!!
Mr Reynolds is trying to educate people . I do believe he is right. It is hard for people not to fantasize about wild animals being friendly
Thank you, I was feeling extremely outnumbered here on this issue.
Absolutely wonderful imagery. Completely beautiful.
Absolutely wonderful imagery. Beautiful.
PAUL, please no controversy, they were only pictures
Pictures are powerful things and inspire powerful responses...
They most likely are treated well in a sanctuary and although drugged, were most like trained
Most likely all drugged
Love, Enchanted and beautiful
nice art . www.electronicmusicnow.com
nice art
what i think? this animal abuse mixed with half naked ladies in the snow made me really sick, bored panda. boooh!
the bear pics are disturbing, the rest are just crap. the bear has had teeth removed
Bear: I love being well fed and not have to starve half a year. And you only want my canines and photo-ops. Wow! Bring it on!!!!
Would you rather be a well fed slave or a free man?
I think it's awesome!
I adore animals. Quite dippy over them actually. But I have to agree: Paul get a life!
The last "Gretel" picture hosts this outfit from one of my favourite Etsy artists!https://www.etsy.com/listing/150204620/discount-little-r
Are any of the ladies single? My doctor friend has fallen head over heals on em!
Nice pics, but look into the mouth of the bear... they got him all teeths removed so he can't bite. Thats wrong and cruel...
Or they rescued it from someone who removed it's teeth....
and then continued to exploit him for photography rather than give him a nicer life?
:-)like it
Warm smile.
My dick is confussed (9gag comment), those are great pictures but trained animals, well, people is right, those are unhappy :(
WHAT ARE YOU LETTING THAT BEAR LICK YOUR FACE FOR!
Kitsch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce4DJh-L7Ys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce4DJh-L7Ys
WOW.. just WOW....
Beautiful photo's! Get off the internet kids and stop being so judgmental...Learn a trade, like this and make something of your life =)
Guys! It's not abusive! Stop it!
Please explain how it isn't? I can explain how it is...
I think this is a beautiful example of the bond between humans and animals! How gorgeous!
I think this is a beautiful example of the bond between humans and animals! How gorgeous!
What do I think? I Think all the jackasses that are going on about animal cruelty are just doing it to seek attention. these pics are awesom
Beautifully Done I love it. Plus you can see the animals are well taken care of.
Can you? I would be curious to know what you are seeing that shows their standard of care is good? Minus the nicely cleaned and groomed hair
Paul, no proof any abuse is going on, stop being holier than thou and go protest gieco using the lizard in commercials, more your speed.
OH MY GOD THESE COMMENTS!!! Are the animals being abused, mistreated or fucked over in any way? No. Get Over It. Jesus H Christ...
Sensitive and beautiful
beautiful.And for people who think that this is cruel and that they belong to nature etc..stop destroying forests for place for factories!
The people that think this is cruel are the same people destroying their home? Unlikely some how...
Absolutely fabulous photography and retouching.
Love it! Would be great to have a printed book with these pictures.
This is AWESOME
These don't make me think of "Fairy-Tales" at all. They make me think of nightmares suffered by animals in captivity. THIS IS WRONG!!!
you just have too good imagination..
very beautiful loved !
Disgusting example of animal cruelty. Wild Animals do not belong in photoshoots as props...this is the 21st century for gods sake!
would you just relax people.. you have your cats and dogs for entertaining and taking pictures, why this one should be criticised?..
very nice pics
Simply beautiful
Tout simplement wow, ça c'est mon genre!!!
An amazing artist at work seeing the world and sharing it through her eyes Thank you for inspiring visions
I don't recall Merida being half naked.
The image of Merida appears disturbingly sexified to me.
me either.......cool though.
i don't real her making out with bears either.....that is disturbing.......
Yeah... I noticed and objected to this....
I guess it's just that the photographer wants to view the characters in his style, you know!
The photographer is a female. And Merida wasn't in her 20's in the movie either.
If they belong to a sanctuary, the money you acquire from doing this should go to help them. They are not toys.
Using animals for entertainment makes me very, very sad. That poor bear.. Bored Panda, why feature this abuse? A toothless bear? Seriously?
where do you see an abuse?.. oh you just assume they were abused..
The concept is cruel...using wild animals as photo-props is cruel, regardless of anything else that is or isn't happening
Has no one realized this is from Russia, and we have circuses with wild animals who are already trained.
Anyone else realize u couldn't see the teeth on any of these photos even if the were there?
Disgusting example of animal cruelty. Wild animals belong in the wild...if rescued in a sanctuary..not on a photoset, note the lack of teeth
Did it ever come to your mind that the bear might be a rescue, and can no longer survive in the wild BECAUSE it lacks teeth?
Did it ever occur to you that it is common place for animals to have their teeth removed to be used in photography and other media?
I did not notice any teeth missing off the animals. If this is true, I withdraw my previous, positive comment!
The bear has teeth, dipshit. Their lips are elongated and extend past the jawline. They aid in grasping, like fingers. Read a book.
The bear is missing it's upper and lower canines...incidentally they do have upper and lower canines...
How do you personally know these animals are being treated cruelly?
"Wild animal trained to do tricks for camera= cruel" so teaching a dog to sit is cruel? the production of Marley And Me was cruel? shut up.
S/he does; they just want to start shit for shits sake...
@Rhianna dogs are domesticated animals not wild animals...perhaps think or do a little research before showing your ignorance online
Wild animal trained to do tricks for camera= cruel. If rescued belongs in a sanctuary not exploited for human entertainment
Disgusting example of a person's judgement.
Paul - Cool your tits! It's honestly some beautiful work! How do you know, for sure, by means of (all) training - It's simply cruelty?
these arent abused animals...I looked it up...
The difference between those of us who care about animals and those of us who live in a fantasy world where bears live with humans happily
Always someone has to take a wrong turn on something honestly beautiful. How about getting out in the world, doing something; enjoy life!
I work with a conservation and rescue charity that deals with the above...and travel the world...hence my "strong" views on the above
thank you seriously it looks like you guys are just wanting attention
The claws are still there, The bear could have clawed her to death, why didn't the remove the claws? huh? huh?. Not everybody abuses animals
That's where the training comes in and incidentally it is the training that is cruel not just the physical altercation that sometimes occurs
For Fuck sake it's a photograph don't you have more important things to worry about
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It is my job dealing with the consequences of the above...
So, according to your logic, all photographed wild animals are the subject of animal cruelty if they aren't in their natural habitat?
If they are used as photo-props, then it is highly likely yes.
May I ask what makes you think these animals are abused? Couldn't they have been rescued from cruel places and now are treated with respect?
shut it
did it ever occur to you that these animals might be pets...kept from when they were babies and tamed...???
Did you know that animals like cats and dogs can also be wild and aggressive, but we share with them enough, they don't harm us.
@PaulReynolds i am going to laugh if you get eaten by a cougar or a pack of wolves !
Humans created cats and dogs through artificial selection. Have you ever seen a poodle in the wild?
@JuniperRose I am not sure what your point is? I pointed out that domestic animals are not wild animals?
Cats and dogs are domesticated animals not wild animals...domesticated animals thrive alongside man after 1000s of years of selective breedi
Those animals have their mouth close, they are licking the model or just simply smelling her. You are not gonna see teeth like that.
It's not just about the teeth the cruelty involved with using wild animals as photoprops=well known trade negative to welfare + conservation
For fuck sake it's a photograph! Don't you have more important things to worry about?
PaulReynolds, best slacktivist ever. Comes on a website where most pictures are of animals... to complain.
Far from a slacktivist and yes pictures of wild animals doing tricks is wrong, came up in news feed, so got involved...crime?
kinda think nothing would please you at all Paul...go home
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Not seeing the promotion of animal cruelty would please me it is remarkable what people assume when you go against what they want to believe
who do you work for, peta? get your shit and get the hell out of here. you're probably hurting animals more than the photographer is. bigot.
@Paul You are also vegetarian, correct?