With an energetic and creative fervor, she quickly mastered the messy and complex wet collodion process, enlisting neighbors, family members and servants as subjects.

Cameron captured some of the most enduring images of the Victorian intelligentsia, from Tennyson to Charles Darwin to other writers, poets and scientists. She also posed family and friends as religious or mythic figures, such as angels, Cupids or the baby Jesus.

Rather than follow the sharp, toned aesthetic of a typical commercial studio photographer, Cameron pursued her own unique look, capturing images with moody shadows, informal, contemplative poses and even motion blur.

Though technically an amateur, Cameron was fastidious in copyrighting, exhibiting and publishing her works. The critical establishment at the time largely panned her work, dismissing it as technically inept and sloppy, while many artists praised its uniquely evocative sense of mystery and spirituality.

In her 12 active years, Cameron created some 900 images that would go on to make her one of the most influential and pioneering photographic artists of her time.