A timeless children’s song, “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic,” has been a whimsical favorite for generations. Still, a Russian model and her daughter have made it a reality in an extraordinary photoshoot featuring a massive 1,300-pound brown bear.
In this captivating set of images, the model and her young daughter are seen feeding, hugging, and even sitting astride the enormous bear named Stepan while enjoying an outdoor meal in a picturesque field.
Stepan, a tame bear raised by a Russian couple since being abandoned as a cub, was photographed with the model by Olga Barantseva.
Despite the initial nerves of the model, known only as Irina, the bear’s gentle nature quickly put her at ease.
Irina was so comfortable with Stepan that she asked if her daughter, Katya, could join the photoshoot.
Barantseva highlighted Stepan’s docile temperament, noting that he has been raised as a vegetarian.
“This bear is so tender with the models that the fear disappears quickly,” she explained. “Even a small girl was happy to pose after a short time of hesitation.”
Stepan’s diet includes mozzarella and cookies, and he has never known the taste of meat. His constant interaction with people has made him familiar with kindness and care.
“Irina was a bit nervous, but that soon disappeared when she met Stepan, and she even asked if her daughter could join in. The shoot took about 30 minutes altogether. The bear is tender and sweet but a big animal and gets tired very easily,” Barantseva added.
This enchanting photoshoot brings the fantasy of a teddy bear’s picnic to life, showing the incredible bond between humans and this majestic creature.
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