This photograph is part of the ' Land of lions ' series, an extract from the best by photographer Laurent Baheux. Laurent intends to show us, the remaining parts of this Africa, one that existed before the arrival of white men, the last traces of a life-size world, entirely dedicated to the animal kingdom, sometimes gentle, often cruel, just as strong as it is vulnerable. His quest immortalises ephemeral moments that Nature wants to offer him, like many precious marvels. Laurent provides a vision of animal beauty which resounds in each of us. Which he refuses to allow to disappear…

**The artist: Laurent Baheux**

Laurent Baheux was attracted to journalism and editing at first, rapidly discovering a passion for photography and becoming a self-taught photographer. His devoted practice and his knowledge of the sporting world opened the doors to the top press photography agencies. From then on, he covered the main international competitions and channelled his energy towards conditions of speed and extreme demand. He has always been fascinated by Africa. From 2002, during a visit to Tanzania, he began private work on the wild fauna, its beauty, strength, roughness and great fragility. He chose black and white, with its play on shadow, light and contrast, to immortalise rare and ephemeral scenes of nature, constantly trying to sublimate the animals, to capture the magnificence of their attitudes, the emotion of their look? Through this authentic quest, Laurent wants to show the vividness of these species which are still alive, but more menaced than ever, and the immense richness that they represent for the planet. In the continuity of his photographic commitment, he accompanies and supports the deeds of organisations which work for the protection of nature and the preservation of biodiversity. He is also the author of Land of lions, a sensitive and moving work in black and white, like an ode to wild life...