nikholas 
A model has been captured in a range of intimate portraits posing with a 350kg Russian brown bear.
Zhana Shveinova jumped at the chance to pose with the bear, who attracts fans from all over the world and has enjoyed a vegetarian diet since he was a cub.
Photographer Olga Barantseva contacted Stepan’s owners, Svetlana and Yuriy Panteleenko, who adopted the bear when he was just three months old, to organise the photoshoot.
In this collection of photos, Zhana, 35, who is originally from Moscow but now lives in Cyprus, can be seen cuddling and stroking the bear, wearing a tiara and a long white dress.
Zhana (pictured) jumped at the chance to pose with Stepan, who attracts fans from all over the world. She said: ‘It’s been a life-long dream to see a bear up close, and to watch these magnificent animals move freely’
Zhana said: ‘I am a teddy bear artist and toy maker of 14 years.
‘Ever since I can remember I’ve been obsessed with stuffed toys, especially bears, they were my constant companions.
‘So, after graduating from university, I decided to try sewing my first toy… I haven’t stopped since.’
Photographer Olga Barantseva contacted Stepan’s owners, Svetlana and Yuriy Panteleenko, who adopted the bear when he was just three months old, to organise the photoshoot
She added: ‘Recently, I decided to switch to making more realistic bears and while looking for inspiration, I learnt about Stepan.
‘It’s been a life-long dream to see a bear up close, and to watch these magnificent animals move freely.’
Zhana described the bear as ‘truly unique’ for being ‘a rescue [animal], a family member, and a friend’.
Stepan was captured by hunters who tried to sell the baby bear on the market. The bear had several cuts and wounds when the Panteleenkos found him, so they took him home so that he could recover
She said: ‘It shows in the way he behaves with his mom and dad. He is treated with such kindness and respect, and he gives that back.
‘He is gentle, he even holds you with so much tenderness despite his size and weight.
‘I was very, very, lucky to meet Stepan. It’s a unique experience I will forever cherish.’
![Zhana described Stepan as 'truly unique' for being 'a rescue [animal], a family member, and a friend'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/07/11/65332377-11511821-Zhana_described_Stepan_as_truly_unique_for_being_a_rescue_animal-a-51_1670413124557.jpg)
Zhana said: ‘I am a teddy bear artist and toy maker of 14 years.’ She added: ‘Ever since I can remember I’ve been obsessed with stuffed toys, especially bears, they were my constant companions’
Olga said she has always loved photographing people with animals and saw some television broadcasts a couple of years ago with Stepan, who has also starred in many Russian films
Olga said she has always loved photographing people with animals and saw some television broadcasts a couple of years ago with the bear, who has also starred in many Russian films.
Stepan was captured by hunters who tried to sell the baby bear on the market.
The Panteleenkos rescued him when he was a cub.
The animal had several cuts and wounds when they found him, so they took him home so that he could recover.
The bear, who is more than 7ft tall, sometimes sits down in the evenings to watch the television with his owners, and he even helps to water the plants.
Zhana described Stepan as ‘truly unique’ for being ‘a rescue [animal], a family member, and a friend’. She said: ‘It’s been a life-long dream to see a bear up close, and to watch these magnificent animals move freely’
Olga said: ‘I’ve already photographed people who’ve travelled from Japan, China, Thailand, Austria, Switzerland, Mexico and India.’
She added: ‘I think that there is too much evil in the modern world, and what I want to show is love. Love between people and nature, and between people and animals.
‘What I want to show is that the world can live in harmony. I’m inspired by Russian fairy tales – as they’re usually full of love and kindness, where people and nature live in harmony.’
