Cherished moments through time: As Yaroslav, aged five, and Vanya, two, grow up, Elana plans to continue documenting their animal adventures through photography.

Elena Shumilova, from Andreapol, Russia, began taking pictures of her sons Yaroslav and Vanya in early 2012 when she received her first professional camera.

Children and animals – they’re my life. As a mum of two sons we spend a lot of time on the farm, so I often shoot my boys with dogs, rabbits and ducks.” 

I prefer to use natural light — both inside and outside. I love all sorts of light conditions – street lights, candlelight, fog, smoke, rain and snow – everything that give visual and emotional depth to the image.

When shooting these pictures, I largely trust my intuition and inspiration when I compose photos of my children with animals.

I get inspired mainly by desire to express something I feel, though I usually cannot tell exactly what that is until I have taken the shot of them with the animals.”

The pair were immediately accepted by the animals from a young age and their incredible bond continues to strengthen as they get older.

Two-year-old Vanya Shumilova locks eyes with a rabbit in this intimate photograph taken by his mother in Andreapol in Russia

These adorable photographs capture the tender moments between Vanya and his five-year-old brother Yaroslav and various animals near their home

Elena Shumilova began taking pictures of her sons Yaroslav and Vanya in early 2012 after receiving her first professional camera

Mrs Shumilova said: ‘I get inspired mainly by desire to express something I feel, though I usually cannot tell exactly what that is until I have taken the shot’

Five-year-old Yaroslav Shumilova sits on a sledge next to a dog in the snow near his home in Andreapol, Russia

Source: Bored Panda: https://bit.ly/1hXCezE