Starting a Photo Club - some suggestions?!?

I'm hoping to start a camera/photo club in my little town. Until now, the closest camera club is about an hour & a half away. I enjoy the group but it is just too far when I have to drive home at 10:00 at night!

I'm hoping to get a group going here in my town for all levels of photography and include both film & digital users.

I'd like to know if anyone is part of a camera/photography club & what sort of things you do (or wish you did)during your monthly meetings?

The other club I had gone to was slide film only (till this year) and I'm all digital. Basically they submitted their slides, critiqued their slides, had snacks & went home. I'm hoping for some more 'exciting' suggestions for my club if I can get it off the ground.

Do any of your clubs combine photography interests & levels? Film & Digital? Club outtings? I want to include all of the above.

Any suggestions would be very welcome. My first information meeting is next Monday night - to see if there is any interest in this town. Wish me luck!

Becky I have been part of a local club for about 5 years now. If you're starting one then I would build it around what you think is of interest but realize what you think isn't always what everyone else is thinking. Our club has volunteer judges come in to critique, group review/critiques, supports film/digital and has outtings. It is a lot of work. Take a look at N4C.org and their collection of clubs as a source of organizational ideas. Photochrome is the club that I have been part of. The clubs bylaws and competition rules are online. It might give you some ideas.

Becky, a good way to get started is to meet with other photographers for informal field outings. If you can build enough interest that way, you will be able to build a group that is interested in more things than just "photogaphy club slide competitions."

In terms of digital, all you really need is a digital projector and a laptop. When the group gets together to share their photos, everyone can brings theirs on a CD.

Belonging to a local, not-too-formal club can be a lot of fun - good luck with it!

Becky: In general, our club meets twice a month. The first meeting is a program night (either instructional, hands on, or travel slide show, etc.) and the second meeting is competition night in prints or slides. The 3 judges are from other clubs in Connecticut. Field trips are always a big draw and we plan at least three a season. If you want more info, contact me.

Becky...I belong to two camera clubs, one informal, one formal. Both of the clubs have organized shoots, locations suggested by members.

The informal group is assigned subjects to shoot on a monthly basis, meaning images have to be taken during that month, followed up by a competition where all members vote on/judge the results. Most of us shoot in digital in this club. The group is very small, but a lot of fun.

The formal club holds competitions every other month, entries include slides, prints and digital. In between those competition months, programs are scheduled with guest speakers. Members organize shoots whenever the chance arises, be it fall, dunes, or wildlife, etc.

Good luck and most of all...have fun!!

Thanks for the comments everyone!

Yes Jim G, I have some ideas for the kind of club I would like to create but it will all depend on the dynamics of the group I'm sure. Age, style, committment, etc. I will check out the websites too. Thanks

Jim E, I have tried to connect with the photogs from the group of years gone by but they seem to have become "the old boys club" and weren't interested because they told me they were all too old, snowbirds, or didn't take pix anymore. So, hopefully this information night will connect me to some others with similar interests.

Patricia - I hope to have a club like yours (except the judges will likely come from within as there are no close clubs) but hopefully the structure can be similar.

Toni - I think a combo of both your formal & informal group structures would work for this little town.

Now, all that said, I first have to have a few people show up & show interest so until that happens, its just a hope!

Thanks again for the comments

I've been in lots of clubs- photographic and others. In almost all the successful ones, there was a healthy mix of beginners and advanced, but the activities and structure were designed to accomodate both. There was also a nucleus of "worker bees" that did all the leg work to keep things running. It simply can't fall on one or two people and remain healthy. And finally, there needs to be a clearcut identity and set of goals which all understand and agree to, along with the flexibility to change with the interests/leanings of members.

I'm now in the most successful photo "club" I know of. It's not a club at all, but a small group of us (8) who enjoy photography and each other's company. We only meet quarterly, always over dinner at someone's house, with each of us bringing only 10 images to show. Spouses and friends welcome. No rules, bylaws, dues or programs. Just good food and laughter, good photos and stories. We get together informally for shoots, but we were doing that anyway before we started our gettogethers. There's lots of interest from others in joining our group, but we've resisted so far. In the end the group may help form a true club, but we'll continue our gatherings as friends.

This slow but sure approach might be a good way for you to start!

Becky...try to place an announcement in your local paper to draw people in. If it hadn't been for that in our paper, I would not have known about the informal group.

Thanks for the ideas Hank - I'm pretty new to this town so I don't even KNOW any photographers yet...but I would like to. Especially cuz I'd love someone with the same interests to go shooting with.

Toni - I have done just that. There are ads in 2 or 3 of the most regional papers as well as posters up in 3 diff places around town. I've got a couple emails expressing interest already so maybe just maybe I'll have a few show up on Monday! Yippee!

I've got my fingers crossed for you, Becky! Make sure you let us know how it goes.