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When Wild Animals Pose for a Portrait (Photos)

Intimate Portraits

Ever wondered what an a giraffe would do if you got one in the studio? What about a tiger? For the book ‘Wild Life,’ photographer Brad Wilson tried it—and the results are striking.

The Daily Beast

The Daily Beast

Published Aug. 9 2014 6:50AM EDT

galleries/2014/08/09/when-wild-animals-pose-for-a-portrait-photos/140808-wild-tiger_rkyawz — Brad Wilson

galleries/2014/08/09/when-wild-animals-pose-for-a-portrait-photos/140808-wild-chimpanzee_nwwfbk — For the forthcoming book Wild Life, photographer Brad Wilson brought a varied cast of characters into his studio and shot them against a black background. The results are striking: intimate portraits of wild animals in a studio setting. By removing the animals from their natural environment and lighting them exquisitely, the photographer turns the viewer’s attention to the beauty of each animal. Each photo seems to reveal something unique.

Left, Chimpanzee

Brad Wilson

galleries/2014/08/09/when-wild-animals-pose-for-a-portrait-photos/140808-wild-tiger_nydpai — Tiger
Brad Wilson

galleries/2014/08/09/when-wild-animals-pose-for-a-portrait-photos/140808-wild-westernscreechowl_cwogoy — Western Screech Owl
Brad Wilson

galleries/2014/08/09/when-wild-animals-pose-for-a-portrait-photos/140808-wild-elephant_fg2n6k — Elephant

Brad Wilson

galleries/2014/08/09/when-wild-animals-pose-for-a-portrait-photos/140808-wild-giraffe_xbankc — Giraffe

Brad Wilson

galleries/2014/08/09/when-wild-animals-pose-for-a-portrait-photos/140808-wild-zebra_yxhkfu — Zebra

Brad Wilson

galleries/2014/08/09/when-wild-animals-pose-for-a-portrait-photos/140808-wild-greathornedowl_mpbsdn — Great Horned Owl

Brad Wilson

galleries/2014/08/09/when-wild-animals-pose-for-a-portrait-photos/140808-wild-orangutan_dndj25 — Orangutan
Brad Wilson

galleries/2014/08/09/when-wild-animals-pose-for-a-portrait-photos/140808-wild-lion_lwncyg — Lion

Brad Wilson

galleries/2014/08/09/when-wild-animals-pose-for-a-portrait-photos/140808-wild-cover_fqu1jk — Wild Life, by Brad Wilson

The Daily Beast

The Daily Beast

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