The Southern Kentucky Photographer’s Club is a new organization founded by photographer Amber Flowers of Soul Gaze Photography.  Flowers told the Amplifier  “One of the main goals behind starting the club was to have a place where SOKY photographers of all levels (amateur or pro) could work and learn together. I also wanted to have all the SOKY professional photographers listed in one place. This would make it easier for clients to find photographers, creating more business for our local economy.”

At present club activities take place online at sokyphotographers.ning.com, but members are already making plans to meet face to face on a regular basis.  “I plan to host our meetings in unique locations within SOKY depending on the weather. We will spend most of the meeting exploring and photographing the location and hopefully all learn something from each other.” Flowers said.

The website allows members to create their own profiles and interact with each other.  Features on a member’s profile include their biography, links to their professional websites and social networking profiles and up to 100 pictures.  Members can comment on each other’s pictures, start discussions on the forum and join or request groups.  Groups available thus far include: “Photoshop”, “Nikon Lovers”and “Canon Lovers” as well as groups for the 13 counties from which she hopes to draw membership.  There is no fee to join.

In the future she hopes to see the club members network and host their own meetings in their home counties.  According to Flowers, “A local professional photographer has already agreed to write articles and offer photography classes for the members and I hope to have more agree to this in the future. Currently the club and meetings are all free provided that members make an attempt to remain active. Long-term, I want SOKYPC to not only be a fun group, but also an informative group. Eventually, I plan for us to have regular photography contests and cookouts where we can bring our families and get to know each other better. I would also like to see us enter the best of our work at the KY State Fair. I have many other goals for the future of SOKYPC, but I also regularly welcome ideas from the members.”

For more information contact Amber Flowers at soulgazephotography@yahoo.com or visit sokyphotographers.ning.com.

About the author:  Kim Mason is the Content Manager of the Amplifier which was founded by her in 1995. She serves as Executive Director for the BG International Festival and designs websites. www.kimmason.ky.net