The Importance of the Project Wildlight: Emergence holds personal and creative significance as the first focused development within the wider Wildlight project. Created for a women-only exhibition, this body of work not only marks a deepening of Shona’s fine art photographic practice, but also reflects a conscious shift in how she observes and portrays the natural world.

Through the subject of butterflies — often symbols of transformation, strength, and beauty — Emergence explores ideas of change, identity, and growth. Working in black and white allows the images to move beyond the obvious visual appeal of colour, revealing subtler qualities: the fine textures of wings, the repetition of pattern, and the quiet elegance found in their movement and stillness. This stripped-back approach invites viewers to experience these creatures in a new and contemplative way.

The project represents an important evolution in Shona’s voice as a photographer. It combines a more expressive, artistic methodology with careful observation of her subjects, pushing her practice further into the realm of fine art while remaining rooted in the natural world.

Being created specifically for a women-only exhibition adds an additional layer of meaning to Emergence. As a woman photographing a subject so often associated with delicacy and transformation, Shona brings a nuanced and personal perspective to the work. Contributing to a space that celebrates and elevates women’s creative voices is a vital and affirming part of the project’s purpose.