Star Wars fanatic Photoshopped Ewoks into family photos to convince his five-year-old daughter they were real



These might look like typical family holiday snaps, but a closer look reveals the lengths one committed father went to in order to bring his young daughter's imagination to life.



Anthony Herrera, 30, added Ewoks into the background of his photos after telling his daughter that they were real.



The self-confessed Star Wars fanatic took his five-year-old daughter, Natalie, to Sequoia National Park in California, shortly after the family watched 'Return of the Jedi' together.

It's behind you! Young Natalie poses on a family holiday in Sequoia National Park, California, before her father inserted an Ewok into the background shrubbery

Anthony told his daughter that the bear-like creatures lived in the forest, which resembles their home planet of Endor.



It sent her imagination running wild, and she scoured every inch of the vast woodland for the elusive fictional characters.

The father, who also has a two-year-old son Tristan, said: "The rest of the trip, my daughter was set on finding an Ewok. We spent two days hiking through the park.



"Every shrub and bush that rustled convinced her that an Ewok must be near.



"I assured her that the Ewoks were very shy creatures and normally do not let anyone see them."



Anthony told his daughter that the bear-like creatures lived in the forest, which resembles their home planet of Endor

The father-of-two also took photographs of his two-year-old son Tristan next to the Ewoks

At the end of the family's trip, the disappointed youngster was upset when the popular characters failed to materialise.



An Ewok from the 1983 Star Wars film Return Of The Jedi

But determined graphic designer Anthony, from Atascadero, California, had the clever idea of inserting the Ewoks into some of the family's holiday photographs.

He subtly altered the images to show the Ewoks peering out from behind trees and bushes in the background of the pictures.



And his daughter was absolutely thrilled when she saw that the Ewoks had been 'lurking' in the woods all along.



Describing his daughter's reaction, Anthony said: "I told my daughter that the Ewoks were nearby, we just couldn't see them.



"After we returned home, I selected a few images we took and inserted various Ewoks into the background.



"This way I could show my daughter that the Ewoks were watching us the whole time.



"We reviewed a few curious photos and she discovered the Ewoks hiding in the background.



"Needless to say she was very excited." Anthony said that his wife, Kelli, thought that doctoring the pictures was a great idea.

"My wife and I believe that it is very important to foster creativity and imagination. Making our children's lives more magical is something we strive for.



"The excitement and the look on my daughter's face when she saw the Ewoks in our pictures is something I'll never forget. "She still talks about them a year later. That is the type of memory as a parent that I want to have and share."



The family visited Sequoia National Park in California (pictured), shortly after they watched 'Return of the Jedi' together

Since the photos came to light, Anthony said that friends have suggested that he add other Star Wars creatures to photos.



He said: "I don't want to take it too far though. She's a smart little girl and will probably catch on.



"She did mention that if we were to go back to Sequoia National Park that she'd bring a treat to coax the Ewoks out."



Anthony hopes that the pictures will act as an inspiration to other parents who want to bring their children's fantasies to life.



He said: "A lot of people have said some very nice things about what I've done, and it is a good feeling to share something special with other parents.

