The making of ISLANDNESS: a visual storytelling journey with the National Trust

Bringing ISLANDNESS to life has been a journey in motion, not just of image-making, but of deep remembering. Set on an island within an island nation defined by its wild edges, this exhibition at National Trust’s Scotney Castle is a state of being. As well as an invitation into the liminal space where earth, sea and sky meet. This is a space where the known gives way to the unknown, and stillness holds the pulse of change.

As a visual storyteller, I’ve worked across photography, film and drone for over 15 years. During this time, I have always been drawn to the spaces in between. My lens seeks out the messages hidden in the margins, the places often overlooked or forgotten. And as a result, ISLANDNESS became the vessel to hold them.

From remote outposts to the ocean’s edge teeming with unseen life, this project weaves together threads of science and spirit, wonder and warning. In doing so, with each image, I’m asking: what can these wild edges teach us about ourselves, about our belonging and about our becoming?

A story shaped by the island

Scotney Castle didn’t just host this exhibition – it shaped it. Perched on an island, surrounded by the elemental beauty of water, woodland and sky, the location became muse and mirror. As the project evolved in partnership with the National Trust, it asked me to surrender to something greater. To honour the stories already written in the land and sea. To listen to the messages already woven through my work and seek out the narrative that threads them together.

Ideas percolated inward, rippled outward and were being shaped by the tide of becoming.

This process wasn’t linear. It was liminal, expansive and humbling. As well as, rooted in devotion to the more-than-human world.

A creative process rooted in purpose and awe

My neurodivergent AuDHD brain found deep joy in the process. From hyperfocusing on visual metaphors to decoding the symbolic language of natural textures, light and tide, this was soul work. The kind of work that feels less like creating and more like allowing something to move through you.

Each image was a co-creation with the place, the moment and the elements. A remembering that we were never really separate from nature to begin with.

This project exists at the intersection of photography and purpose. 10% of every print sold supports Whale Wise. The ocean conservation charity that I’m proud to be President of the Board of Trustees for. In addition to this, 10% also supports the National Trust. Therefore when people bring these prints into their homes, they are becoming part of the ripple too.

10 collections shared on the island

The exhibition unfolds across ten thematic collections, each exploring a different threshold or story from the wild edges:

• Lifelines – red and amber listed birds
• Elemental thresholds – the shifting boundary of earth, sea and sky, rewilding our connection to nature
• Kindling futures – a reflection on wildfires and environmental urgency
• Fire & Ice – stories from a land shaped by the elements
• Liminal being and on my love of light – self-reflections about the alchemy of my inner landscape and processing the outer world.
• Into the blue – an underwater call to witness the ocean’s fragility through the lenses of wonder and warning
• Aurora and night sky – celestial stories from Earth’s atmosphere
• Snorkelling with diving gannets – documenting an unforgettable encounter, as well as illuminating the beauty and the peril our ocean faces
• Bridge between worlds – a moment to pause and reflect on the stories witnessed
• Message in a bottle – charting the constellation of stars that have aligned on this island

Together, they form a map of connection to earth, to sea and to sky. As well as a rewilding of self.

Stories that stir change

Working with Whale Wise has shown me how visual storytelling and scientific research can powerfully converge. The story of Bird, a whale entangled in fishing gear and rescued by the Whale Wise team, is one such example. You’ll find Bird’s fluke in the exhibition. A reminder of how closely our fates are tied to the choices we make and the actions we take.

This is the work I’m devoted to: rewilding our connection to nature, as part of nature.

Every story I tell is grounded in that mission. Whether it’s beneath the surface, from above the sea, or at the wild edge of land and sky.

A deep thank you

ISLANDNESS wouldn’t exist without the hands, hearts and souls who held it with me. From the team at Scotney Castle and the National Trust, to the ocean scientists, fellow artists, beach-cleaners and bird-spotters who helped piece these stories together, thank you.

And to every visitor who’s opened their heart to the work – you are part of the story now.

The opening of the exhibition

The exhibition was first shared during a private view and officially opened to the public on Monday 28th April 2025. Stepping back and watching people begin to experience the exhibition was a truly surreal and amazing moment. After all, this was something that had lived in my mind for so long. An idea poured from the heart, rooted in my deep passion for nature and the desire to amplify the messages and stories I’ve been privileged to witness. Moreover, it was incredibly special to be joined by people who have played a part in this journey.

From my colleagues at Canterbury Christ Church University, who nurtured the early shoots of this path 15 years ago, to the wonderful souls I’ve connected with through my camera, each presence was deeply meaningful. Ultimately, sharing this moment with the people who helped shape the journey made it all the more powerful. It truly meant the world.

Ian Palmer and Tim Everest from BBC South East visited and filmed while we were setting up the exhibition. As well as capturing some behind the scenes. They shared a beautiful feature on the evening news. Dominic King from BBC Radio Kent joined us at the Private View and created a beautiful feature that was shared on his show shortly after. I am very grateful for the support and genuine care and interest in sharing the stories within the exhibition.

Come experience ISLANDNESS

The exhibition runs at the National Trust’s Scotney Castle and invites you into the liminal, into the wonder and into the wild edge of belonging. Additionally, you can explore the story online, and even bring home a piece of the experience through a print. Each one supporting ocean conservation and deepening your connection to nature.

Let yourself be carried to the edge of the known.

Let ISLANDNESS speak to something in you that remembers.

Find out more here: ISLANDNESS INFO and on Scotney Castle’s website here.

Thanks & gratitude

ISLANDNESS was only made possible by a collective of incredible souls who have supported the journey.

Rebecca Rees, Laura Edwards, the team at Scotney Castle (John, Charles, Steph, Emma and Sarah) and the unwavering support of the National Trust. When they first reached out and asked if I’d like to do this, I couldn’t believe the opportunity to amplify nature’s messages that have always been so close to my heart. It has been a journey beyond my wildest dreams.

Paul and Helen Dean, my parents and lifelong creativity enablers. My Dad who took the coveted title of ‘Super Dad’ during the set up and for their can-do ideas that helped us navigate the intricacies of hanging some of the collections to bring everything to life!

Mark Douglas, my husband and partner in all of life’s adventures. He’s the one who keeps me nourished with tea and food when hyperfocus strikes. Without him none of this would be possible.

Rebecca Mackay Miller, founder of Bloc + Rose. My sense-maker and guiding light, supporting me to reflect deeply on my purpose, my mission, my vision and refining a new brand strategy at the start of the year that became the bedrock to ISLANDNESS coming into being.

Molly Hollinsworth, my brilliant VA and behind-the-scenes magic-maker, without her I’d be adrift in deep water, paddling against the tide!

Fujifilm, for the beautiful retro prints featured beneath the parasol in Lifelines. They are so beautiful and connect with the nostaligic feel of this part of the exhibition.

Jenny Prout, fellow water-woman and committed beach-cleaner, for heading out with me to remove some plastic from the beach and for finding the green net that finds its home behind the ghost gannet.

Judith Scott, for the generous use of Bird’s fluke image and for your intuitive connection to Bird for knowing something was wrong. Your advocacy was a key part in the happy ending.

Whale Wise and Flordespina Dodds, for the powerful drone footage of Bird and for your compassion and investment in building connection with all stakeholders in the ocean. These of which became a powerful asset in advocating for Bird’s disentanglement.

Lakí Tours, for the unforgettable experiences with the whales.

Oceanographic Magazine and Ocean Photographer of the Year Awards for ampifying the story of the hanging gannet.

Georgina and Gareth Fulton, Elmley Nature Reserve, for sharing the story of the curlews

RSPB Thanet, for kindly double-checking all my bird IDs for Lifelines

Stuart and Holly at Go2Sea, for the buoys and fenders collected from the sea around the Isle of Thanet

Katie Ross, my sound board, sage and anchor through it all

Laura Jones, for your brilliance in joining the dots that led to so many of these moments unfurling.

Shetland Seabird Tours, for the unforgettable adventure snorkelling with the gannets

Lulworth Estate, for permission to use the sunset image in Kindling Futures

Nature, for welcoming me home and choosing me to share these stories

And you, for visiting & opening your heart to ISLANDNESS.

To learn more about ISLANDNESS, you can explore the exhibition’s digital expression by clicking here. Additionally, you’re warmly invited to visit the exhibition at Scotney Castle, open until Friday 17th October 2025.