How to start a local photography club?

[wyogirl]

Hey all-- so I need advice. I live in a small town with a fairly large amount of people who are interested in photography. I am thinking of starting a local club. Something that is pretty informal-- monthly meeting with a theme to shoot and share, occasional guest speaker, a couple group outings and an end of the year showcase. No dues but probably an age limit.

Have any of you been involved in something like this? Any tips are appreciated. I've never been involved in a formal club but I want this to work.

 

[Overread]

Few thoughts:

1) Are you thinking lower or upper age limit - remember many clubs often end up vry full of the retirement ages and often very empty of younger members; which can be a serious problem as the club gets more matured.

2) Once a month is maybe a little too little; I would aim for at least twice if not four times a month (ergo once a week). Otherwise you might find that people quickly move on or forget about it.

3) You want to plan out how each meeting will go in advance for a good few meetings ahead. Consider events like:
a) Competitions - print, digital (projector!), film.
b) Teaching, learning events - might take time to find out who in the group can teach/offer up.
c) Studio sessions - laying on gear and a model and like a teaching day but with studio
d) Trips out - a good and regular activity for the summer; groups going to destinations can sometimes get discount at the door as well.
e) Talks - there's a slew of people that "do the rounds" in photo clubs esp around winter so check up on that (network with other clubs).
f) Inter-Club competitions/events
g) Gear sales/bring and buy


In general you want to have something arranged as an activity for the first meeting (not a talk but something). And along with that you want to advertise early. Get a Facebook group up and get the word out; leaflets in local stores, note on the post-office notice board etc... Ideally you want to give an email so that you can get an idea how many might turn up on the opening night - that lets you plan a little to suit hte numbers coming and to show general interest.

 

[snowbear]

I'd start with a little outing; maybe try something like meetup to get the word out and see how much interest there is.

 

[jaomul]

Few bits-

1)you need a venue
2)you need insurance
3)you probably need a constitution (club rules guidelines etc)
4)Our club is every 2 weeks, and it closed about a month for christmas and 2 months in the summer
5)you will have to charge a little membership to cover 1 and 2
6) you will need to have patience for questions that may seem to you to be at the very basic end of basic. A lot of people like photography but struggle with the technical side. We have plenty members that have digital cameras, but no computer, or idea about emails or photo editing.
7) you will need a comitee

A website is great but facebook can help instead also

 

[Didereaux]

Don't go formal! If you read the previous comments you will understand why. Just get an email list together, or better yet face to face and set up a have a cup of coffee or what not all together. chit chat, trade ideas, share a few photos..lthen agree to get together soon and do it again. Spread the word. The less formal the better it will be. The more formal the sooner it turns into a cliquish secret club. You live in Wyoming there isn't a town there large enough to support a formal club that would last more than a year or two.

 

[Designer]

And let children come.

 

[FotosbyMike]

I just discovered an app called MeetUp, it allows you to setup meetings, members, photos...etc. good luck.

 

[480sparky]

Why an age limit?

 

[JoeW]

I just discovered an app called MeetUp, it allows you to setup meetings, members, photos...etc. good luck.

THIS!

I've been part of a number of photo clubs and artistic societies of photo websites. I joined a group called "Shutterbug excursions" which is based in the DC area. I'm now an associate organizer for the group. No fuss, no muss. You identify locations to shoot (indoors or out), people can join if they want. No cost to you. Free exposure and easy dissemination. Easy to post and share photos. A bit cumbersome for conversations but nothing's perfect! Check it out. You can even go to the Shutterbug Excursions group in the DC area to get a specific example and feel for how it works (by looking at some of our past meet-ups, the numbers who attend, the range of attendees, some of the photos the come from the group).

There are lots of photo meet up groups on the Meet-up site. There may even be one near you (so you don't have to start one up, just join and help to energize it).

 

[jaomul]

Why an age limit?

Sometimes as a club member invites are made to where alcohol is being served. Also there are at times where art nude is involved in competitions, exhibitions etc, also insurance for clubs involving minors is more expensive etc

 

[480sparky]

Why an age limit?

Sometimes as a club member invites are made to where alcohol is being served. Also there are at times where art nude is involved in competitions, exhibitions etc, also insurance for clubs involving minors is more expensive etc

Then simply exclude minors from those events.

As well as create events that will encourage minors to participate in to balance it out.

 

[jaomul]

Why an age limit?

Sometimes as a club member invites are made to where alcohol is being served. Also there are at times where art nude is involved in competitions, exhibitions etc, also insurance for clubs involving minors is more expensive etc

Then simply exclude minors from those events.

As well as create events that will encourage minors to participate in to balance it out.

Of course this can be done. I think you'll find that a lot of these type of clubs are hobbies for adults, many with families,and are as such intended as a hobby and social scene and a chance to interact with other adults

 

[vintagesnaps]

Maybe start out with something like Charlie (Snowbear) suggested, figure out a time and place to meet, and get an idea how many plan to come. Check with the meeting place ahead of time if you expect maybe 20 or so or more to make sure they can accommodate your group (have enough tables/chairs in an area so you can all sit together). Could be a brief meeting to see how much interest there is, then go out on a photo walk.

If you wanted to just arrange photo walks, that could maybe stay informal, where you all meet and go out taking pictures. If you want to develop it into an actual club it is possible to set it up as a social club (I'm chairperson of a small nonprofit but can't think offhand what the category is called for social groups, if this eventually develops into that).

You'll probably start to figure out what will need to be done and why clubs usually have officers/committees - someone to run meetings, someone to notify members, someone to make arrangements for programs, speakers, etc. In my experience clubs usually meet monthly and might skip December or have a holiday party, and may skip a month or two in the summer. There is one huge camera club in the city near me that has weekly meetings that seem to be subgroups - one week is studio night, one week is meeting at a park etc. for photo taking, another week is print night, etc. For a small group I'd be surprised if that many people want to meet that often; some that want to could always get together at a coffee shop just for conversation and socializing on their own.

You may not need dues right away, eventually you'll find out if there's a need for some dues to cover operating expenses. Someone may need to take responsibility for renting room space (even if no cost someone may need to sign off on it). Someone eventually may need to keep track of expenses or reimburse members etc. There might be a need eventually for a tax ID number (easy process, simple form to complete). You might want to look on your state's website just to get some idea if there's anything that needs to be done.

The group might need to decide if you want to offer some type of junior memberships for kids, but would need to figure out if parents need to sign permission or if they need to attend (do you want to take responsibility for other people's children??). That might be something to be considered later once you get this going regularly.

Seems like there's always a core group of members that manages things, and members that come periodically depending on what else they have going on. Who shows up and what everybody wants to do will probably determine exactly where this will go.

 

[Derrel]

MeetUp, yes. I'm a member of a few MeetUp groups. One of the group leaders posts a disclaimer on EVERY e-mail and it says that attendees and their guests are responsible for their emotional well-being, their physical safety and well-being at any meetings and on any excursions, and that damage,loss,injury,or theft is the SOLE responsibility of attendees and their guests, and that MeetUp.com, and the individuals running the group are not liable for any damages, and that no civil or legal action against MeetUp.com or the organizers of this group will be allowed, and that Meetup.Com and the organizers of the group _____ _____ _____ shall be considered free of any responsibility or liability for any injuries, accidents,natural disasters, acts of God,losses of equipment or property, property damage or other misfortunes suffered by the voluntary participants involved with ____ _____ ____.

We meet regularly in one group at a local city library and its associated community center meeting and lecture facilities, and another group meets at an area coffee shop and gallery, and another meets at one of two different studios that one member, and the organizer, have. I am a member of another MeetUp group dedicated to fishing,m and we meet at a couple different Godfather's Pizza restaurants...which can easily handle the seating, as well as the salad, pizza, soda and beer needs of the membership.

 

[wyogirl]

Why an age limit?

I chose an age limit because I don't want to babysit. I was thinking that you could be a member at 18 but could participate with a parent if you are under 18. I want to plan at least one over night trip and again.... I don't want to be responsible for other people's kids.