Question by Shay: How could I go about starting a digital photography club in my area?
We don’t have a local digital camera club in our area and I am interested in starting one. Can anyone tell me how to go about this?
Thanks!
Best answer:
Answer by photoguy_ryan@verizon.net
Sounds like your interested in actual get togethers as opposed to online stuff.
Try notices in Yahoo groups, Craigslist, Meetup.org, school/work lunchrooms, etc…
Makeup flyers, business card size info/ZED cards, whatever, and leave them with people that my want to participate.
Pick a regular meetup place to get started, with dates, so members will know and be able to plan for the meets. Once you get established, you could choose new locations to meet.
Good luck and have fun.
What do you think? Answer below!
To begin with you need to decide what kind of club you would like to form.. Is it going to be for casual snapshooters, people who like to do it for a hobby, people who want to train to become professionals (or a combination of some of these). That helps you identify WHO your club would appeal to. Then you can start to figure out where those people would be likely to spending time so you can get in touch with them.
Next you need to decide WHAT the club’s purpose will be. Is it just to hang out together, to compare pictures and techniques, or to plan photo trips & events. Some clubs have regular photo contests and some have meetings with presentations from experts on various topics such as sports, nature, people photography and many other topics.
Talk to other people that you think might be interested and get their ideas. Be flexible and listen to suggestions. After you have some idea of WHO and WHAT you’ll need to decide WHEN to have a meeting. Plan a time to have a “formation” meeting. Plan ahead at least two or three weeks so people have time to find out about it.
Once you know these three things make up posters or notices, post notices on web sites, blogs, user’s groups (Yahoo! has many), etc. Tell people what you have in mind and be sure to give them a way to contact you if they are interested but can’t go to a meeing when you planned it.
If you’re in school or college post notices on message boards or ask a teacher/faculty member who can advise you on starting the club and post notices on their electronic bulletin boards, calendars. Some photo stores and departments may also be willing to let you put notices on their windows or counters (club members frequently buy more items from stores that help them get going or help them with meetings).
That is a basic plan.
Hope it helps, good luck!