Reasons to Join a Photography Club
Last fall I joined the Twin Cities Photography Group on meetup.com. I thought it would be fun to go to a few events and meet other photographers in the area in an informal setting. Two weeks later, the group organizer sent an email out to the group. He was stepping down as the organizer and unless someone else stepped up, the group would cease to exist. Being new to the group and to serious photography in general, I was not about to volunteer. But I did read all the emails and discussion that resulted from the organizer’s declaration. There were a lot of members who had ideas for the group. The group would need a plan, and fast. The meetup renewal was coming up and someone had to take the helm.
So a meeting was scheduled for anyone who wanted to attend. We would make a plan for the group so that we could keep it going and, hopefully, make it really great. I went to that first meeting, mostly to see what the club was all about. What I found was a great group of people who just really liked to take pictures. People from all walks of life, some just starting out in photography, others working professionals, all very passionate about cameras, photos, and the processes we can use to make them. I also found that we were basically starting from scratch on the group. It had been floundering and we were going to go in a new direction. A plan was made to select a board and to move forward step by step. A week later we met again and selected our board, and the following week we met as a board to start planning the future of the club.
When I decided to volunteer for a board position, I was hoping for the best, but very aware that I might regret it. But now that a lot of the basics are getting nailed down and we’re planning the events and workshops, I’m thrilled that I decided to stick it out. I’m really starting to see the benefits.
People: The members of my group are really talented, and everyone seems really interested in learning from and sharing knowledge with each other. Photographers are often really competitive, but a social group or club is a great place to learn and share. I’ve found that I’ve learned a lot already and we haven’t even had our first workshop! It’s also really nice to hear about what others are doing, and how they work their photography into their lives. And when your friends and family are tired of hearing about your photography, the group will be more than happy to chat about it.
Events: The members have great ideas for events that I would have never thought of or that I didn’t know existed in the area. Over the next few months I hope to have the opportunity to photograph hot air balloons being launched, sled dogs racing, snow and ice sculpting, and even costumed people jumping into a frozen lake. Need I say more?
Education: We’re also planning educational workshops for the group so that members can learn how to get the best shots they can at the events or any time they’ve got their camera in hand. If you’re like me and are wondering exactly what an alien bee is and why you might want to use one, workshops are a great place to start.
Ideas: Since I’m taking photos every day, it’s fairly easy to run out of ideas. In fact, I’ve been struggling for ideas all week and it’s only the first week of the year! But last night at our latest board meeting the group had quite a few ideas for themed contests, and these will be great to incorporate into my 365 project.
So while I know not all groups are the same, it still seems like a great place to start if your photography is feeling stale or you’re just starting out. If the group that you’ve found doesn’t meet your needs, try another one, or start a group yourself! As for my experience, keep checking back. I plan to attend as many of the events and workshops that I can and will post my experiences here, along with my photos of course!