Arts Design

SWEET DANGEROUS CREATURES

KATERINA PLOTNIKOVA

Danger and delicacy come together in the most magical way for Russian photographer Katerina Plotnikova, as she pairs wild animals with winsome human models, with utterly beautiful surreal effect.

Woman in red hooded cape with red fox in the woods. Photo by by Katerina Plotnikova.

Familiar fairytale themes, like Beauty & the Beast, come to mind -- in a sort of thrilling romance -- where two opposite kinds of creatures, each inspiring awe from opposite ends of the spectrum, manage to find a mystical common ground and tender moment.

Naked woman with tiger in the woods. Photo by by Katerina Plotnikova.

Ferocious tigers, scary snakes, and fierce wolves, put their feral natures on hold as they touch and embrace gentle young women. The stuff of pure fantasy.

Woman in white dress with brown owl. Photo by by Katerina Plotnikova.

You might think the images are faked, somehow, either via Photoshop, or some other photo-trickery. But it is purely the “tricks” of genius and talent that create these works of art.

Woman in green dress with brown reindeer in the woods. Photo by by Katerina Plotnikova.

Plotnikova’s images evoke peace, love, and joy, as a wisp of a girl embraces a powerful elk, an angelic maiden curls up with a fiery fox, and a bear kisses the hand of a dainty princess.

Woman with peacock and birdhouse in the woods. Photo by by Katerina Plotnikova.

Pale, subdued colors add an enchanting dreamy aura. The contrasting energies of these wild and refined creatures together create a sense of whimsy.

Red haired woman in green dress with coral snake in the woods. Photo by by Katerina Plotnikova.

Most of Plotnikova’s human models have flowing red or auburn hair, a self-admitted fetish, that lends its own sensuality.

Two red headed women with tiny furry creatures in meadow. Photo by by Katerina Plotnikova.

While the photos seemed heavily staged, they are all rather spontaneous, with a fair amount of improvisation, a result of interaction the animals, the models, the natural environments, and the photographer.

Woman hugs reindeer in the woods. Photo by by Katerina Plotnikova.

Plotnikova works with 2 professional animal trainers who help facilitate these unlikely pas des deux and ensure the safety of everyone involved.

Woman with elephant in stream in the woods. Photo by by Katerina Plotnikova.

Based in Moscow, Plotnikova only discovered her interest in photography 5 years ago, although her wild imagination bubbled up long before that.

Woman embraces brown bear in the woods. Photo by by Katerina Plotnikova.

See more of Plotnikova’s stunning work on her Facebook and 500px pages.

Woman with snake and flowers in her hair. Photo by by Katerina Plotnikova.

Read more about Beautiful Danger all this week on BeautifulNow, including 10 Beautiful Dangerous Places to Visit Now, Crazy. Badass. Beautiful Climbs, The Art & Design of Blowing Up Evil, Deadly Beauty Now, and Superbad Super-Beautiful Storms. And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Wellness, Impact, Nature/Science, Food, Arts/Design, and Travel, Daily Fix posts.

Woman hugs red fox in the woods. Photo by by Katerina Plotnikova.

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Woman sits with brown bear in the woods. Photo by by Katerina Plotnikova.