Sonny – two-year-old Chimpanzee

Rachael feels very honored that on her first meeting with Sonny he instantly climbed up her leg to give her a cuddle, something she will never forget. It is true that Chimpanzees are very similar to humans, Sonny being two years old at the time of his portraits was very much the same as trying to photograph a two-year-old child. He entertained us throughout the session, stomping his feet on the wooden floors of Rachael’s studio and turning his back to the camera whenever Rachael tried to take his portrait….finally Rachael convinced him to pose, allowing her to capture Sonny’s soulful gaze. Sonny has now been rescued from Circus life and has been relocated to a sanctuary in Africa where he lives a wonderful life in natural surroundings along with other Chimpanzees from similar backgrounds.

This image was published in Rachael’s book It’s a Zoo Out There.

Sonny was photographed on Rachael’s 4x5 inch Toyo View Camera with Polaroid B&W Pos/Neg Film using a large Elinchrom Octa Studio Flash.

Rachael recommends this image be framed using a White or Black Frame, with or without a white border.