An influencer got bitten by a shark while trying to take the perfect Instagram pic

We've all gone to questionable lengths to get that perfect pic for the 'gram, like standing on chairs to get a good avo-on-toast pic or stopping traffic during rush hour for that perfect casually walking across the road #ootd shot.

But one influencer took it a step too far by putting herself in danger. Katarina Zarutskie was holidaying in the Bahamas with her boyfriend and thought it would be cute to take a picture swimming with nurse sharks (if you're a bit squirmish, stop reading now).

They are usually friendly so she thought it would be no problem to swim amongst them and capture the magical moment, even though her boyfriend's family warned her against it.

She went in and it was all going well until a local told her to pose while floating on her back, which is when a shark bit her arm and tried to drag her under the water.

Her boyfriend's dad captured the awkward moment, but thankfully after a few seconds, Katarina managed to yank her arm free and swim to safety.

She told the BBC, 'I've seen countless photos of people with them on Instagram.'

The influencer shared the series of pictures on Instagram, and at first glance, you wouldn't think anything was amiss, until you realise that in one shot she is being bitten by a shark, and in another she is holding her arm above her head to stop the bleeding.

She received backlash on Instagram, with accusing her of being 'self-obsessed' and a 'stupid Instagram model'.

Despite needing stitches and antibiotics, she said it didn't put her off, although she would be more cautious next time.

'I think anyone that goes and swims with nurse sharks needs to realise it is an uncontrollable situation. You can't even predict how another human is going to react to situations, let alone an animal. I definitely will be thinking twice but it won't be scaring me away!' she said.