This daring escapade followed Weston’s five weeks of dedicated efforts to build trust with the herd during his stay in the Ngamo Game Reserve, ensuring that he was perceived as a non-threatening presence.

“I was never really in any danger,” reassured Weston, emphasizing the importance of reading the animals’ body language and communication cues when working with creatures of such size.

A seasoned wildlife photographer, Weston’s goal is to capture the personality of animals, much like portrait artists portray human subjects.

Rather than simply getting as close as possible, he emphasizes using a standard 50mm lens to provide viewers with an intimate understanding of each animal’s unique character.

“The idea is to give the viewer an idea of the personality of that individual animal. In much the same way as you would take a person’s portrait, you can’t be standing half a mile away with a long lens.

You have to get close and establish some relationship,” Weston explained.

Capturing mesmerizing moments, Weston photographed intimate exchanges between himself and the elephants, showcasing the bond formed during the weeks he spent gaining the trust of the wild elephant herd in Zimbabwe’s Ngamo Game Reserve.

Quenching their thirst, an elephant from Weston’s captivating photo series is captured enjoying a refreshing gulp of water.

Equipped with a concealed flotation device, Weston went beyond traditional means to document the herd’s river crossing, immersing himself in the water to achieve intimate proximity to the elephants as they emerged from the forest.

Through these extraordinary images, Weston aims to give viewers a deeper understanding of elephants in their natural habitat.