Ukrainian photographer Vyacheslav Mishchenko uses macro photography to bring the unseen and hidden beauty of the miniature world to life. What makes his close-up portraits so riveting is the sharpness and detail of his subjects, combined with the soft and ‘fantasy like’ backgrounds they are shot against.

The photographer’s passion for wildlife started at a young age. As a child he was taught how to hunt for mushrooms so he grew up with a keen eye for all manner of bugs and creatures. As he got older he got into photography in order to be able to capture the magical moments he constantly witnessed.

In a stunning 50-picture gallery on 35photo.ru, Mischenko captures the beauty of a snail’s life. Be sure to check out the rest of his portfolio for similar treatments of other insects like butterflies and ants.

[via My Modern Met]