Women + Wilderness

An ongoing photographic project by Julia Agnes
2019 – Present

Women. Wilderness. Belonging.
Photographing women in the places that hold them.

Over the past six years, more than 30 women have taken part in the project.

A woman in a black swimsuit is standing in water with her eyes closed and head tilted back, surrounded by a natural landscape with rocks and trees under a cloudy sky, in black and white.

Women & Wilderness is an ongoing photographic series exploring the relationship between women and the landscapes that shape them.

Six years ago, grief led me into the wilderness, and the wilderness led me back to myself. What began as a personal journey of healing through nature has grown into Women & Wilderness, a project spanning thousands of kilometres across Canada. I've been photographing women in the wild places that ground them, the landscapes where they go to reconnect, reflect, and remember who they are. Each portrait is an invitation into someone's sanctuary. A rocky shoreline at dawn. A forest trail walked a hundred times. A frozen lake that holds more silence than anywhere else on earth.This project is about the quiet power of place, and the women brave enough to share theirs.

Since 2019, more than thirty women have been photographed in places that hold personal meaning, forests, gardens, rivers, lakes, and remote trails. Each session is guided by the participant’s connection to the land. Some unfold after long hikes, others begin in quiet backyards or along familiar paths.

What emerges is not simply a portrait, but a moment of belonging. These photographs trace the quiet ways women return to nature for grounding, reflection, and renewal.

Each portrait is a meeting point between a woman and the natural places that hold her.

Take Part
A woman standing in front of a blooming tree with white flowers, wearing a traditional dress, with her hand on her chest and eyes closed, at night.
Woman standing in water with a floral crown, wearing a satin dress, looking down
A woman in a red dress standing on a tree branch during sunset, with the sun shining through the branches of a large tree.
A person sitting on a fallen tree trunk at the edge of a lake, with a large leaning tree overhead and a forested shoreline in the background.
Close-up of a woman's face with blue eyes, partially submerged underwater, with her hair tied in a bun. The water covers her nose and mouth, reflecting her eyes and forehead.
A woman with curly hair lying on her back among green ferns, wearing a pink embroidered dress and smiling slightly.
A close-up of a person's hand touching the surface of water, with water droplets on their fingers, and the reflection of the hand visible in the water.
A woman with blonde hair sitting in the shallow water of a calm ocean, holding a black cloth, with seagulls flying nearby, under a cloudy sky.
A woman with curly hair wearing a red dress sitting on rocks by a calm body of water, with mountains in the distance on a clear day.
A silhouette of a person standing with arms raised in front of a large tree during sunset or sunrise, with a mountain and river landscape in the background and the sun partly visible behind the tree.
A person practicing yoga outdoors at sunset or sunrise on a mountain or hilltop, silhouetted against a colorful sky.
Person on a swing hanging from a tree during sunset or sunrise with a backdrop of a lake and mountains.
A woman in a white dress standing near a body of water with large trees in the background under a gray sky.
A woman with long hair standing alone on a grassy cliff overlooking a barren plain under a cloudy sky.
A woman with long curly red hair in a striped gray dress standing on a beach with wind blowing her hair, looking into the distance.
Woman walking through a grassy field under a cloudy sky.
A woman sitting on rocks by the ocean, gazing thoughtfully at the water, with a calm and peaceful expression.
Person wearing a beige sweater with their hands folded in front of them, standing near a body of water.
Hand holding a conifer cone close-up against a blurred brown background.
A woman with blonde hair wearing a red sweater and gray pants standing in a foggy, overgrown outdoor area with trees and bushes.
A woman in a black dress sitting on rocks in a natural outdoor setting with trees and cloudy sky in the background.
A person in a red jacket and gray pants standing on a grassy area in a forested area with tall trees under an overcast sky.
Person in pink jacket wading into water, touching the surface with their finger, during sunset or sunrise, with trees in the distance.
A person dancing on a beach at sunset or dusk with cloudy sky and a bird flying overhead.
A woman with closed eyes, wearing a pink shirt and black shorts, standing in a body of water with her arms raised above her head during sunset or dusk, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
A woman with dark hair and large hoop earrings standing in tall grass at night, with a dark wooded background.
Bare feet walking on muddy ground with small green plants and leaves.
A woman with a big smile, squinting her eyes, is sitting amongst tall grass, partly obscured by the greenery, with her hand visible in front of her chest.
A person with closed eyes and a bindi on the forehead outdoors at night, with trees and tall grass visible in the dark background.
A woman with closed eyes and long, light-colored hair standing outdoors with sunlight highlighting her face and hair, surrounded by dark leafy trees.
A woman in black dress standing in a lush forest with large trees and dense foliage, sunlight filtering through the leaves, creating a mystical atmosphere.
A person in a long dark dress standing on a beach near water, with cloudy sky overhead.
A young woman with long hair, partially covered in a fur coat, looking up into the camera with shadows cast across her face by nearby objects, creating a striped pattern.
Woman with light skin and reddish-brown hair, wearing a white shirt, standing in water with warm lighting, dark background
A person wearing a white dress standing in a calm river with trees and hills in the background at sunset or sunrise.
A person lies back in shallow, dark water with eyes closed, wearing a sheer, long-sleeved dress, with arms outstretched, face calm, and water rippling around them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this project for?
Women who feel a connection to the outdoors - through hiking, camping, canoeing, swimming, gardening, conservation work, or simply spending quiet time in nature.

Where do sessions take place?
Every session occurs outdoors in a location meaningful to the participant. Past locations include lakes, forests, backyards, mountain trails, city parks, and more remote landscapes.

Can I choose the location?
Yes. The photographs are created where the participant feels most grounded and present.

What happens after I apply?
I will respond within a few days to schedule a short video call. This allows us to discuss your connection to the outdoors, your chosen location, and how the session might unfold. The project is built on trust and collaboration, so it’s important we feel comfortable together before planning the session.

When are sessions scheduled?
Sessions are arranged around my commissioned work and travel. Together, we find a time that feels right.

What do I receive from the session?
Participants receive five fully edited images for personal use. The photographs also become part of the ongoing Women + Wilderness series, which may appear on my website, in exhibitions, or future publications.

Supporting the Project

If you know women who would be a great fit, please share!

Participation

Women + Wilderness is a collaborative, outdoor photographic project. Each session takes place in a location meaningful to the participant; a forest trail, a quiet lake, a garden, or another landscape that holds personal significance.

What emerges is not just a portrait, but a record of presence - a moment where a woman and the landscape meet. Many participants describe the experience as less like a photoshoot and more like sharing time outdoors with a companion who listens.

Participation Fee & Travel

Participation Fee: $450
This fee supports the planning, hiking, photographing, editing, and ongoing artistic curation of the Women + Wilderness series. A typical session is about an hour, plus 45 minutes of hiking included.

It includes ten fully edited images of your choosing with a bundle potion for the gallery.

Travel:
Sessions outside the Montreal/Laurentians area may require additional travel coverage, based on distance and accommodations. Costs are discussed in advance to ensure clarity.

Close-up of a worn, dirty hand with a long scar or wound in the middle of the palm, against a dark background.

Apply to Participate

If this project resonates with you, I would love to hear from you.

Applications are considered thoughtfully, and a short conversation will be scheduled

to discuss your connection to the outdoors, your chosen location, and the session itself.

This ensures that every participant feels seen, comfortable, and fully part of the Women + Wilderness series.