Ethereal Photographs Capture The World Of Snails

“Snails are grateful models,” photographer Katarzyna Zaluzna says of her tiny mollusc subjects.

“They are not only photogenic, but to me, they’re symbols of perseverance,” the 39-year-old told The Huffington Post over email this week. “They hibernate in their shells through the cold winter. I can identity with this trait.”

Zaluzna lives in Rumia, a city in northwestern Poland, and has three sons. She began capturing intimate snapshots of nature about three years ago.

“I wanted to take pictures of my children, but because they are very busy, it was difficult to work with them,” she said. “So I began to train on flowers, leaves and snails. In my pictures, I want to show the beauty and atmosphere. I want my pictures to stop the viewer in her tracks, to encourage reflection and to stimulate the imagination.”

It can be hard to get snails to cooperate, Zaluzna said, adding that it typically takes her about an hour to get the shot she wants.

“Good photography does not have to be perfect in technical terms,” she said, “but it must have soul.”

See more of Katarzyna Zaluzna's work on her Facebook page.