FROM WILD EDGES TO THE WALLS GALLERY: Where to begin with holding a photography exhibition

As a visual storyteller and photographer of people, place and planet, capturing the raw, untamed beauty of wild edges is a thrilling adventure, and one which I’m privileged to call my life’s work. However, sharing these moments with the world through a photography exhibition is an entirely different journey. It’s one which pushes you outside your comfort zone: from being someone behind the lens to being the person in the spotlight. You could say it is a journey where you meet your wild edges too! 

In this blog post I’m sharing my journey to curating my second solo photography exhibition, so it can guide you through the process of bringing an exhibition to life.

The fringes of nature and curiosity 

Wild Edges is an exploration of the places where nature’s raw beauty and human curiosity meet. It’s about the fringes – those liminal spaces where the known gives way to the unknown and the wilderness calls you into the mystery of the untamed. 

Taking place at Albion House Hotel in Ramsgate from Thursday 25 July until 25 October 2024, the exhibition is presented by POW Thanet. And I can’t wait.

An exhibition mindset 

If you’re thinking of organising an exhibition, you first need to start with your mindset because believe me, you’ll be pushed outside your comfort zone with questions filling your head like: 

“Where do I begin?” 
“Who would come?” 
“Who am I to host an exhibition?”

If, like me, you’re considering hosting an exhibition because someone has told you you should, ditch the internal chatter and focus on the reason you want to exhibit your work and keep that as your North Star. For me, sharing visual stories guides me both with the images themselves and the behind the scenes stories of creating the images.

Collaboration is key

Wild Edges is my second exhibition and was brought into existence when POW Thanet invited me to exhibit. I’m a huge advocate of their incredible work because supporting POW means investing in a movement which not only elevates artistic expression but also actively promotes gender equality and community engagement. 

As a supporter of their work and knowing they are so passionate about art, I approached them about whether they could recommend anywhere I could exhibit. I’d not for one moment thought about this opportunity but as conversations naturally unfolded, before I knew it, it was happening. 

So I would always recommend reaching out to your contacts to start the discussion, because collaboration is when magick happens and you can gain momentum on bringing your exhibition to life. 

Think about who you can approach, either as a partner or a venue. Are there any upcoming events you could contribute work to, to gain experience? 

Conceptualising the photography exhibition

From here, the first step was to define my theme, which would support POW’s Radical Rest campaign and start to conceptualise the exhibition in my mind. As a wild woman with ADHD and a camera, I needed to gather all the thoughts whizzing round my brain and get focused. Easier said than done sometimes, but once I had my idea, hyperfocus followed and I started to jot ideas down.  

Wild Edges is an exploration of the places where nature’s raw beauty and human curiosity meet. It’s about the fringes – those liminal spaces where the known gives way to the unknown – and the wilderness calls you into the mystery of the untamed. 

This exhibition invites you to cross a threshold to a place where nature’s messages are amplified. Entwined with my own story and how I came to meet those boundaries and wild edges within me.

This theme guided every decision, from the selection of photographs to the layout of the exhibition space.

Choosing a venue

Location is key to any successful exhibition. It’s important to have a space that’s not only accessible but also complements the theme of your work. For me, light and space is incredibly important as it plays a huge part in my work. Because of the collaboration with POW, the venue for Wild Edges couldn’t have been more perfect. 

They partner with the iconic Albion House Hotel in Ramsgate, which was built in 1791. With a rich and colourful history, it sits in pride of place on top of the Eastcliff looking out over Albion Gardens. You can soak in stunning views of the wild edge between land and sea. Ramsgate is my hometown and it’s also where I was born, so to have my work exhibited here for locals and visitors to enjoy felt so aligned. 

Selecting the photographs and the stories 

With over 15 years of archives to delve into, deciding which photographs to feature was both exciting and overwhelming. 

I used the experience of curating my first exhibition, 40 Frames for 40, as a starting point and asked myself: 

• Which images enticed curiosity, awe and wonder? 
• What types of visual stories resonate?

With the concept of Wild Edges, I knew I wanted to showcase a diverse range of stories, from sweeping skies and dark waters to intimate portraits of nature in the wild. Each photo had to tell a story and evoke a sense of wild wonder. I spent countless hours sifting through my archives, selecting images that I felt best represented the Wild Edges theme. Because there were untold stories which needed to be shared. 

Proofing and printing

Once the photographs are selected, the next step is proofing. Each image has been meticulously fine-tuned to enhance its natural beauty without losing authenticity. I used high-quality printing techniques to ensure that the colours, contrasts and details were vivid and true to life. Choosing the right paper and print sizes was crucial to maintain the impact of each photograph.

I love printing work and actually seeing it in physical form. I am dedicated to printing with a lab that sustainably creates prints and delivers them in a carbon neutral way, so it feels good to print images too! 

The Journey: Designing the layout

The layout of Wild Edges is designed to invite viewers into a story. I arranged the photographs to reflect this, some singular images, some a collection of images, together guiding viewers through different stories and liminal moments in nature. The placement of each piece was carefully considered to create a flow that was both engaging and immersive.

Beyond the frame: Framing and mounting

The right frame can elevate a photograph, adding to its overall impact. As this exhibition was about wild edges and for many images, I chose to go beyond traditional frames, selecting wooden clip frames that were simple yet elegant, ensuring they didn’t distract from the images themselves and allows you to see the beauty of the paper and print. 

An invitation to attend: Promoting the photography exhibition

Again, working in collaboration is a great way to spread the word by sharing audiences. I communicated via weekly newsletters to my email list, creation of blog posts and shareable social media content. Press releases were also sent to the local media and I asked family, friends and colleagues to spread the word, to help create a buzz about the exhibition and the Opening Night. I also shared the exhibition with my nature contacts, like the RSPB, to inform fellow nature lovers.

Opening Night and events

At the Opening Night, I’ll give a brief talk to share the inspiration behind Wild Edges. Along with stories from my adventures, helping the audience connect more deeply with the photographs. I’m also grateful to share that I will be hosting a free workshop, Her Future Vision – engaging girls in photography. As well as Sip || Savour || Stories, a night of cocktail, desserts and stories inspired by Wild Edges. And Together at the Wild Edge, for circle, community and nature connection, where we will meet at Albion House hotel for an opening circle and cosy drinks. Then we will head to the beach to immerse ourselves in the liminal space of low tide approaching. We will walk 5km, reignite our curiosity with nature and enjoy golden hour into sunset. We will return to the hotel for a hearty 2 course meal. A perfect evening if you ask me.

I am passionate about removing barriers for women and girls and would love to empower their curiosity about self-employment and the creative industry. For those who want to hear about how to gain experience, build a portfolio and start a career in photography, I will be sharing more about my squiggly career path into photography that started here in Thanet when I was 14!

Creating 40 Frames for 40 and now, Wild Edges, was more than just curating an exhibition. As a visual storyteller, stepping out from behind the lens to share my work in a public space has been both daunting and exhilarating. It’s pushed me to embrace vulnerability. Letting go of perfection and focusing on the raw, authentic stories that nature has to offer.

This journey has also reminded me of the power of collaboration. Partnering with POW Thanet opened doors I hadn’t even considered. Reinforcing the idea that magick happens when creative minds come together. The support and encouragement from the POW team were invaluable, reminding me that art thrives in a community.

Embracing challenges

From conceptualising the theme to selecting the venue and finalising the photographs, each step came with its own set of challenges. But these challenges were also opportunities. Opportunities to refine my vision, to delve deeper into my creative process and to bring forth a collection that truly represents the wild edges of our world.

Curating an exhibition isn’t just about showcasing your best work; it’s about telling a cohesive story that resonates with your audience. It’s about creating an experience that invites viewers to see the world through your eyes. To feel the same awe and wonder that compelled you to capture those moments.

Sharing the experience

If you take anything away from this blog, take away the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone. Hosting an exhibition may seem overwhelming, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Focus on the stories you have to tell, the connections you want to make, and the impact you wish to have. Embrace the journey, with all its twists and turns, and let your passion guide you.

If you’re considering your own exhibition, start with a clear mindset, embrace collaboration and let your unique perspective shine. Remember, every step, no matter how challenging, is a part of your story.

I hope my behind-the-scenes journey of Wild Edges inspires you to share your work with the world. And if you’re in the Ramsgate area join us for the opening night on Thursday 25th July from 18.00 onwards. The exhibition will run right the way through to 25th October 2024, where you can visit Albion House Hotel and experience the exhibition for yourself. Let’s connect through the wild edges of our shared curiosity and appreciation for the untamed beauty of nature.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and seeing where your own creative journey takes you.