10 close-up photos show the beautiful side of bugs

Nadav Bagim does not bow to trends. The self-taught Israeli photographer is more likely to snap a portrait of a snail than of a supermodel. The approach has served him well, as he's carved out a nice niche for himself taking macro photographs of insects.

"As a child [in Israel] I spent a lot of time exploring nature, and insects are very common and interesting. I learned to see their tiny world in my own way, and using the camera I was later on able to share my point of view with others," Bagim told From The Grapevine of the inspiration behind his work.

"We have a lot to learn from them, they can be gentle, curious, funny, inspiring and we need to learn how to coexist better with them," he said of insects.

Apart from his interest in the little creatures, Bagim also hopes his work will help to dispel the stigma surrounding them as being nothing but a nuisance or, worse, gross and scary.

"Through my photographs I try to expose more people to the beautiful side of those tiny creatures and overcome those prejudices," he explained.

Inspired by Bagim, we've compiled a collection of macro photos of insects. We hope you're not too, well, bugged out.

This green aphid is super destructive, and super cool looking close up. (Photo: Nadav Bagim/AimishBoy.com)

The yellow ladybird beetle, also known as a ladybug, is a useful insect that feeds on pests. (Photo: BUFOTO/Shutterstock)

The minstrel bug likes sun and is mostly found in warm-weather climates. (Photo: InsectWorld/Shutterstock)

This is the swallowtail caterpillar before it becomes a butterfly. (Photo: Denis Vesely/Shutterstock)

This chrysalis butterfly is seen here hanging on a leaf. (Photo: tcareob72/Shutterstock)

This green bug is found in abundance in Mediterranean homes and gardens. (Photo: Gianluca Rasile/Shutterstock)

Jewel bugs often exhibit a wide range of iridescent metallic hues, hence the name. (Photo: YSK1/Shutterstock)

The lubber grasshopper is indigenous to the Southeastern United States. (Photo: Tyler Fox/Shutterstock)

Little bugs look big if you get close enough. (Photo: Nadav Bagim)