American photographer Doug Perrine was able to capture amazing images of Shark whisperer Hartman, an ex-fisherman, putting a terrifying 16ft Great White shark into a dream like trance off Cape Province, in South Africa.

The formidable man-eaters are lured to the surface with bait, by Andre who then strokes their super-sensitive snouts to hypnotize them.

Snapper Doug explained Hartman’s modus operandi behind the hypnosis to the Daily Mail. “Sharks’ noses are loaded with nerve endings – rubbing their snouts like Andre is doing is said to overload that sensory system.” Doug added, “The shark seemed to enter a pleasant, but confused state where it was dreamily seeking the source of the stimulus.”

Marine experts say Great Whites are quite intelligent and inquisitive creatures who have been given a bad reputation due to movies such as Jaws.

As a spear fisherman Andre had a number of encounters with great whites while free-diving in the waters off Cape Province.

Although initially terrified of them, Andre has learned that sharks are not usually out hunting people. It’s possible to interact with them with little danger once you understand how they communicate and react.