[imagesource: Mofeed Abu Shalwa / Luminar Bug Photography Awards 2020]

When it comes to bugs of all varieties, I’m usually not a fan, but I can let that go for a minute when confronted with the incredible photos of Mofeed Abu Shalwa, a professional photographer from Saudi Arabia.

You can see his work above and below, which landed him first prize in the Luminar Bug Photographer of the Year 2020 competition.

He started taking photos of bugs a decade ago, says Mashable, to cope with his childhood fear of insects.

It clearly worked out for him, because he took home a grand prize of $3 300 (upwards of R53 000), and other prizes worth over $2 500 (just under R40 500).

Nothing combats phobias like a big pile of money.

Take in some more stunning pictures of bugs (yes, stunning – who would have thought?).

Image: Mofeed Abu Shalwa / Luminar Bug Photography Awards 2020

Image: Mofeed Abu Shalwa / Luminar Bug Photography Awards 2020

Image: Galice Hoarau / Luminar Bug Photography Awards 2020

Image: Lung Tsai Wang / Luminar Bug Photography Awards 2020

Image: Christian Brockes / Luminar Bug Photography Awards 2020

Image: Sara Jazbar / Luminar Bug Photography Awards 2020

Image: Jamie Spensley / Luminar Bug Photography Awards 2020

Image: Li Feng / Luminar Bug Photography Awards 2020

Now that I’ve had a closer look at these little guys (especially the cutie above) through the lens of a photographer, it’s a lot easier to pluck up the courage to move them outside of my home, rather than other, more sinister solutions.

Check out the full list of winners here.

[source:mashable]