With her Cannon 35 mm on hand, Miami-based photographer Annette Bonnier has spent the past three years traveling around India, documenting one of the nation’s most beloved animals, the elephant. The result is the photographer’s first photo compilation— a 215-page book titled India’s Elephants that tells the story of human interaction, spirituality and respect for this stunning creature.
Bonnier will be at Books & Books in Coral Gables on March 7 for the book’s public launch and photo exhibition. A special limited edition of the book, which will be signed and numbered, will be available for $350 and comes encased in linen. A portion of proceeds will benefit the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation (ANCF), the charity that Bonnier admires dearly for its work in education, conservation and domestic management benefiting the Asian Elephant.
The book is organized by themes: elephants in their natural habitats, decorated in beautiful paint and beads for festivals, underwater swimming photography and much more. Bonnier also captures human-elephant interactions and the country’s booming industrialism: performances and training in the local circus, elephant polo for sport, and of course interactions with ogling tourists and posing for their photos.
The images will inspire viewers to make India their next travel destination as soon as possible. For those who crave a closer look at the revered animals, why not make a luxe vacation out of it?
Check into Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur and prepare to experience the epitome of Eastern extravagance. Considered one of the most expensive hotels in India, Taj Lake Palace is a luminous marble palace sitting atop an island in Lake Pichola. Between spectating elephant polo matches and riding in guided tours, the best place to relax would be the hotel’s Grand Presidential Suite. At around $9,500 per night, the 1,734-square foot suite’s opulent accommodations include an elegantly appointed library and an adjoining balcony that offers views of what is arguably the best lake view sunset in the world.
