Earth Ritual
Video and photography
For the performers and participants, these rituals offer a mirror - an opportunity to see themselves as part of something larger by honouring our deep belonging to earth and community.
Capturing organic moments
I’ve had the privilege of documenting Of The Wild events since its inception through photography and videography, capturing the essence of these seasonal rituals and the emotional resonance they evoke. With four sold-out shows and deeply affirming audience feedback, the project continues to grow as a vital space for collective breath, transformation, and ecological kinship.
Crafted by Of The Wild and Becoming Crew, this ecological circus performance was a joyful, intimate and beautiful tribute to our planet.
Rooted in the cycles of nature and co-created with local communities, these immersive events unfold in alignment with solstices and equinoxes, inviting participants into a shared space of reflection, connection, and ecological awareness.
The art of ritual in motion
The performances often take place in intimate, theatre-in-the-round settings—spaces where the audience and performers share the same ground, both literally and metaphorically. This format presents unique challenges.
Many rituals unfold in natural or ambient lighting, requiring sensitive equipment handling and a deep understanding of how to work with shadows and movement.
With no fixed stage or front-facing orientation, during shoots I remained agile and intuitive, constantly adapting to shifting focal points and spontaneous audience participation. As the events are deeply participatory and emotionally charged, my role required a quiet attentiveness - documenting without disrupting.
Organic movement, layered costumes, and elemental props offered a palette of textures that translated beautifully into both stills and motion. The cyclical nature of the performances, echoing the seasons, allowed me to craft visual narratives that mirrored the emotional journey of each ritual.
“Leoni has an extraordinary ability to capture the essence of each performance. Her images and films don’t just document what happens; they reveal the spirit and emotion behind it. She listens deeply, observes with sensitivity, and brings a poetic clarity to every image or film she creates.”
Of The Wild Ecological Arts Collective
The cadence of community
Through photography and film, I’ve helped preserve the ephemeral magic of each event, creating a visual archive that honours the contributions of participants, as well as the seasonal energies that shaped them.
These rituals anchor the ritual anchor individuals within the larger rhythms of nature, community, and the other-worldly. The talented crew and performers cultivated an environment that honoured our deep belonging to the earth and community.
The imagery has been used across promotional materials for the event and performers’ portfolios, helping articulate the project’s values of ecological awareness, inclusivity, and collective action.
By capturing the warmth, intimacy, and openness of the rituals, the visuals serve as an invitation - welcoming new audiences into these spaces and celebrating the participatory nature of the performances.
