The tone of this elegiac photographic essay from Mother Russia reminds me of the Ringing Cedars book series, which I’m still absorbing. I wouldn’t have been a bit surprised if one of these children were being hugged by a bear, or a raccoon . . .
Russian Mother Takes Magical Pictures of Her Two Kids With Animals On Her Farm
January 15, 2014
These wonderful photographs by Elena Shumilova plunge the viewer into a beautiful world that revolves around two boys and their adorable dog, cat, duckling and rabbit friends. Taking advantage of natural colors, weather conditions and her enchanting surroundings, the gifted Russian artist creates cozy and heartwarming photography that will leave you amazed.
The boys in the photographs are the photographer’s sons and the animals belong to the farm she runs. “I largely trust my intuition and inspiration when I compose photos. I get inspired mainly by my desire to express something I feel, though I usually cannot tell exactly what that is” Shumilova explained to BoredPanda.
Rural settings, natural phenomena and the changing seasons seem to be the greatest stimuli in her works. “When shooting I prefer to use natural light – both inside and outside. I love all sorts of light conditions – street lights, candle light, fog, smoke, rain and snow – everything that gives visual and emotional depth to the image,” the photographer said.
Shumilova told us her passion for photography manifested in early 2012 when she got her first camera. Her most recent equipment includes the Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera and a 135mm lens. As a mother who doesn’t want to miss out on her growing children, she says she shoots every day and processes the images at night.
We suggest you take a cup of tea, lean back comfortably in your armchair and browse this beautiful collection of Elena Shumilova’s photographs.
See her gallery on: Flickr | 500px
“Children and animals – it’s my life. I’m a mom with two sons and we spend a lot of time on the farm,” – Shumilova told Bored Panda.
“When shooting I prefer to use natural light – both inside and outside. I love all sorts of light conditions – street lights, candle light, fog, smoke, rain and snow – everything that gives visual and emotional depth to the image.”
“When I graduated from school I entered Moscow Institute of Architecture where I practiced with sketching and painting a lot. I suppose it is sketching and painting that defined my feeling of photography and composition.”
“I’ve been shooting every day and processing the images at nights. By autumn I felt I found my own way of approaching photography.”
“I largely trust my intuition and inspiration when I compose photos. I get inspired mainly by my desire to express something I feel, though I usually cannot tell exactly what that is.”
“I’m so glad that my pictures began to be liked by many people. It inspires me & it makes me do better with my pictures.”
Thank you Elena for the interview, we are looking forward to more magical pictures!
12 thoughts on “A Russian Mother’s Photographs”
Reblogged this on Spirit In Action and commented:
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing this. I love the ringing cedars books too. Even more I love that people are using them to create positive intentional communities all over the world. And that so many Russian people grow their own food that the country as a whole now has majority of food from home gardens instead of factory farming (according to an article I read in December).
Reblogged this on booknvolume and commented:
These Images are entirely Beautiful and fit in Perfectly with my theme today of Peace, Calm, Serenity and Quiet. Do Enjoy.
Reblogged this on Laura Bruno's Blog and commented:
Absolutely some of the most delightful and magical photos I have ever seen! Thank you, Ann and Elena!
These photo’s brought tears to my eyes. Truly a spirit filled place with someone to record it. The children and animals are precious!
Rebecca
Reblogged this on georgeforfun.
what a wonderful collection of pictures. thanks so much for sharing those.
Some of the most beautiful images I have ever seen. You have got a great gift of capturing not just the picture but the soul of the moment. There are many photographers in the world but few who can do this. You should be very proud of your work. Keep it up!!
I don’t just like your photos – I absolutely love them. Thank you so much for sending love and beauty into the world.
Reblogged this on Bee's Knees and commented:
“I largely trust my intuition and inspiration when I compose photos. I get inspired mainly by my desire to express something I feel, though I usually cannot tell exactly what that is.” Says Elena Shumilova.
Trusting your intuition and looking at the world from a different point-of-view enables you to see it is truly a beautiful place.
I cannot express how beautiful, how marvelous, how breathtaking these images are. They exhibit all those wonderful qualities of love, tenderness, harmonious living, and childlike delight that we all, deep inside, desire to emulate. Stunning!
On a side note…what sort of dog is the large dog in the first few pictures? Is he a Leonberger?
Thank You!!
I love, love, love these photos. What great style, composition….what love and tenderness you have shown in making these photos. I really love the photos of the little boy and his huge dog, but I would guess that my very favorite would be of the little boy, on a sleigh, in the street, at night, looking up into the light. Wow. Wow. That photo really tugs at my heart and speaks to me of things in the past. Thank you very much.
Reblogged this on "OUR WORLD".