Brothers
It’s not everyday you get to see a species known for its ferocity, showing tenderness instead.
These are two Lion brothers (captivity) who had spent most of the morning playfully teasing each other before they sat down to…well….no other word for it – “cuddle”.
This was the only shot I got that worked as they were partially obscured by a toy in their enclosure. On review I was very lucky, not only was there a beautiful symmetry in the lions’ head positions, but both eyes were closed in the ‘moment’ as well. The image has been edited for a more dramatic effect and to perfectly isolate the two animals and their experience.
Click to visit my animal photography & art blog!
Email me at durberville@optushome.com.au
Subscribe by Email to Natalie Manuel Photography
Brothers belongs to the following groups:
Exotic Mammals, Masterpiece: Photography and Zoophoria (2 per day, approval required) Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints



Paul Vanzella
Sensational – the texture and feeling in this image is divine!
Helene Kippert
Beautiful – love it!!
Graeme Hindmarsh
I love the contradiction – savage/tender. Great work!
Devan Foster
your wildlife shots are great. your masking of the photos works wonders.
jenitae
Amazing
snoopytas
This would have to be my all time favourite shot of yours Nat. i keep coming back to it and just look at it for ages.
kmargetts
Wow, i just love it, i agree with Ricki, i have to keep looking at it, its fantastic.
carpenter777
Very moving
Jessica Tremp
this is so beautiful
Tim Condon
You should be proud of it!! Loving your work.
Sharon Bishop
A very unusual shot of lion. Great stuff!
bunnij
love it. your wildlife shots are great
Lexx
beautiful, soft and strong at the same time : )
Lachlan Kent
So much love from this image!
StacyLee
Stunning! The power and yet the softness of this photograph makes it special to me :)
Deri Dority
Stunning. I love how you softened the picture. Great picture and great job on post production.
Nando MacHado
I’m stunned by your animal shots. You have such a particular way in your post-production, and the final result is amazing!
Mandy Fell
wow ….totally outstanding…..
krafty
Absolutely beautiful image and this has to be my favourite so far.Brilliant.
jasmyn
omg absolutely beautiful.
Tony Moore
Flaming brilliant, instantly FAVED
Lucindawind
what a wonderful photo ..
ECGardner
How amazing and tender! I love that you’ve shown this other side to them… so often people fail to see an animal’s heart.
Biswajit Pandey
You captured such a tender moment in a such beautiful way.
Lisa Roberts
You are so right Natalie, we are made to fear certain animals and quite rightly so but in their own environment with their own kind, they can exhibit behaviour and emotions similar to our own.
You capture this fact beautifully.
Lisa x
Douzy
How awesome!!!! Your whole portfolio is so interesting, animal photgrapher, what a job! Well done :))
Michael Lane
Another really amazing shot!
Melinda Kerr
Another great shot Natalie. Man what a shame you didn’t enter the Digital photo awards. A shot of lions won the main prize and with respect to that photographer this would have beaten it!
Jessica Tremp
gorgeous work Natalie…like he is gently nipping him
Tiffany Dryburgh
Oh my good god, how have I not seen this before?!! It is just stunningly beautiful and gorgeously moving and just so sweet.
James Ireland
it is very lovely
Danielle Espin
Awesome shot, love the softness of the photograph compared with the amazing strength that male lion’s are so capable of…
micmac
Your ritght powerful and gentel,amazing capture
TrEaSuReDiMaGeS
Such a wonderful photo, showing the tenderness in all living things!!
Annika Strömgren
Wow, amazing shot!!
vonne
Absolute PERFECTION!
Faizan Qureshi
So expressive and soft… great image Nat!
Gary L. Suddath
fabulous shot,even though the can be a formable force they can also show compassionate emotion
Ross Krambergar
You have a real talent, your work is superb
Kalena Hill
Wow!!! This is spectacular!
joconti
This is just gorgeous!
berndt2
Brilliant shot – exactly as you said “tender and savage”. The two lions are incredibly well lit and detailed: and the colouring is just perfect!
Robin D. Overacre
brotherly love! very nice and sweet
Albert1000
Wow, very nice indeed. Excellent.
KBSImages
POWERFUL Image!!!! You really did an outstanding job with this! Kim
greenlady
I THINK THIS IS THE BEST SHOT OF LIONS I HAVE EVER SEEN! I TIP MY HAT TO YOU!! Love your other lion shots as well!
whitetiger790
I love it!
Lauren Paikin
this is trully an incredible peice of work. i am in awe
Lauren Paikin
this is trully an incredible peice of work. i am in awe
Shelley Spille...
beautiful capture !
WayneD
strong image represents a lot!! wow!!sony wolrld photo comp would have loved this one.
Phillip McCor...
one of the great images I would love to have done it
orourke
really fantastic photo, great title too
Liz Wohlrab
i have to say your concept is outstanding,
I love the way you express the emotion along with the lion
this is simply amazing,
your capture is something i have never seen and
only hope to be in the moment of this level of
affection when in the view of a lion
well done
Stacy Rodriguez
This shot is so sweet. Love it :)
Terry Arcia
this is precious
Tausha
brilliant! You do incredible work with animals! Love them all!
Americana11
Oh this is absolutely beautiful!
Caroline Bland
Well, doesn’t this give us a different perspective! So moving and so beautiful
Brett Still
I think you have captured the emotion in this image well. Great work.
stephfine
Brothers are friends for a life time!! LOve It!!
Jacqueline Bar...
wow – that photo is amazing! i can understand why you’re so proud of this shot!
Peter Penfold
love this shot its presented in such a sensitive way excelent work
AngelaFoster
great image
Mariaan Krog A...
Fabulous!
AnaCBStudio
Amazing work…beautiful composition…
JanG
Lovely mood, and I can see why you are proud of this one! Here you can see where our house cats might be related to them. Fantastic shot!
DarkStars
I adore all your work, love the emotion here :)
impala01gurl
What an amazing picture!!! Absolutely stunning!!!
Kevin Jeffery
Absolutely Beautiful shot
catnip addict ...
hicky !
mikepaulhamus
wow ! awesome capture…
DigitalDelights
Fantastic and rare capture.. I like the effect you have given it gives it an emotional feel to it.. beautiful
FrozenMoments
Amazing photograph. Such a rare shot, with so much depth and feeling in it.
Judson Joyce
Great shot. The feelings of the 2 are caught by your eye. Great!!!
Mat Moore
Awesome!
ArcadiaTempest
beautiful, beautiful creatures…..beautiful pic :)
Elana Bailey
Natalie, this is a superb shot. I love the emotion, the tenderness between these two lions and the processing. Is this your most viewed and favourited shot? It should be….lol…Well done. Another fav.
Natalie Manuel replied
Hi Elana,
Nope, “Power” is, another LIon shot, but this I believe is second :) Have to admit it’s my personal favourite.
Jennifer Woodward
So beautiful! Well done! :-)
Stephen Thomas
Outstanding photo!
Robyn Maynard
OMG! I absolutely LOVE this shot ~ Stunning!
MilanPhotograp...
Wow! Amazing shot. Brilliantly taken! Wow!
Milan
jwinman
great capture, fantastic editing!
hybaby
Fantastic shot, i love the emotion and gentleness youv captured, love your editing aslo :)
rodeorose
Speechless…One of the most sensual shots I’ve seen. Love your color and contrast treatment.
ViktoryiaN
Terrific shot! Wow!
BOBBYBABE
amazing
Elana Bailey
Congrats on the sale, Natalie. Cheers Elana. P.S. Wasn’t me…lol.
CORA D. MITCHELL
This should be on the cover of National Geographic!!!!!!
spirittina
awww this is just adorable geez i love the big cats
Ann J. Przyojski
Amazing capture and PP work. All your animal captures are OUTSTANDING, Natalie.
Betsy Seeton 27 days ago
Absolutely gorgeous… omgosh… It’s one of my favorites….
Sandy Stewart 17 days ago
Beautifully taken and edited! : )
Matt Hansen 14 days ago
Stunning!!! Very serene moment! Lovely
Scott d'Almeida 9 days ago
outstanding,
Kieran O'Connor 9 days ago
Instant fav, this is just, amazing!