The Richmond Photo Club is looking for new members to join their ranks as they resume their activities in September.
Membership numbers have been dwindling in recent times, putting a strain on the club’s operation.
The club runs from September to August and hosts a network of casual and professional photographers, opening doors to collaboration and mentorship.
Some of the most memorable events the club has recently put on include the sunset at Iona beach photo walk, family farm day at London Farm, shooting Breakfast for Santa at the Thompson Community Centre, the Grand Prix of Art in Steveston and their annual photo exhibit at Lansdowne Mall.
Meetings occur twice a month: one is educational, involving a presentation from a photographer or a workshop, and the second is a photographic evaluation with judges from the Canadian Association for Photographic Art.
Additionally, informal “Coffee Room” meetings are occasionally held on Thursdays, where photos are shared and discussed.
Visitors are welcome to attend two meetings without commitment.
Participating in evaluation nights, external competitions and local exhibitions are also part of their activities.
The club will kick off this year’s programming with their Summer Treasure Hunt event, where members will take photos on specific subjects and discuss their work.
Photo club started 44 years ago
The club was formed in 1980 by a small group of photographers with the purpose of mutually improving their skills. Around 40 members attended the inaugural event and officially established the organization.
Subsequently, the club has organized an annual print display at the Lansdowne Mall, which runs to this day and offers an opportunity to showcase member projects.
Now in its fifth decade, the organization has faced various hurdles throughout the years, but membership retention and renewal have been significantly challenging, said the club’s president Julian Rozental.
“We finished last year with 45 members; that’s low. We were as high as 60,” he said. “We are looking to attract more members; right now we’re really low.”
One of the reasons why the club has difficulties attracting new members is the language barrier, and sometimes members leave within weeks of joining, added Rozental.
Another challenge is having to compete with two other popular photo clubs in Richmond – the Minoru Photo Club for seniors, which is free for seniors, and the Chinese photographic club, which has more than 200 members and has lower membership fees.
The Richmond Photo Club has members from across the Lower Mainland, and is currently focusing on recruiting local members.
As part of the Richmond Arts Centre, Richmond residents should make up 60 per cent of the club’s membership in order to use of the centre’s facilities and meeting rooms, something the club has found particularly difficult in recent times.
“Financially, we are sound for a while longer even if we drop membership,” he said. “But there will be danger eventually, as a non-profit society, once you run out of funds, what do you do?”
Membership fees are $60 for the entire year, or $30 for part-year after Feb. 1.
Registrations will remain open for the entire year.
For more information, visit the Richmond Photo Club website.
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