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Long before I started blogging here at Jan Captures Nature, my rewarding journey founding the Golborne Photography Club taught me a valuable lesson: you don’t need an expensive camera or a professional background to enjoy taking pictures.

Photography, at its heart, is about connection. Whether we are shooting close to home or capturing a vast landscape—much like the deep depth of field and leading lines I used in my Pilgrims Way to Holy Island Barefoot Walk Guide—sharing the craft is what truly brings it to life. Within our community, we have members who love wildlife and plants, while others prefer capturing street photography or working exclusively in black and white.

That is why today, I want to pull back the curtain on this project, which has been running quietly in the background of my life for a decade and a half.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by formal camera clubs, high-pressure competitions, or intense gear talk, this story is for you.

Golborne Photography Club: 15 Years of Friendship

My day job is in our local library, and 15 years ago, I decided to set up a photography activity group for the community. Over the years, that library activity naturally evolved into an independent, close-knit local group.

Today, we meet on the first Friday of every month from 1pm to 3pm right there in Golborne Library. We aren’t a massive, structured organization; there are only about 10 of us, which keeps our meetings wonderfully personal, casual, and informal.

Unlike some traditional photography clubs, we don’t have rigid lectures or high-stakes judging panels. Instead, we pull up a chair, have a hot drink, and just talk about the pictures we’ve taken, share beautiful local places we’ve discovered, and trade helpful, down-to-earth advice.

Creative Challenges (Without the Pressure!)

To keep our creative gears turning, we have a couple of relaxed traditions that we all look forward to:

• The Monthly Challenge: Each month, we shoot photos based on a specific theme. The rules are entirely lighthearted: the winner of the previous month gets to judge the new submissions, and they also get to pick the next month’s theme! It’s a brilliant way to push our boundaries without any stress.
• The Annual Competition: Once a year, we host an open competition for a small prize. Members can submit up to two pictures of absolutely anything they like. It’s a wonderful celebration of everyone’s unique style.

To cover the cost of our refreshments and those fun little competition prizes, we all chip in just £1 per month (or £10 paid annually).

Days Out and Simple Connections

Every now and then, we pack up our cameras and head out on a group trip to explore a new location together. A particular highlight was our excursion to historic Chester, where we spent the day hunting for architecture, textures, and street scenes. Much like my boat trips out to the Farne Islands, it’s always an absolute joy to share those moments of discovery with others.

A Warm (and Quiet) Welcome

The group maintains a small, friendly, and informal atmosphere rather than expanding into a massive club, keeping interactions personal and conversational over a brew. New faces are always welcome, whether you are a beginner or experienced, using a smartphone, bridge camera, DSLR, we would love to meet you. No expensive equipment required—just good company and a shared passion for photography.

Want to Join Us for a Brew and a Chat?

Anyone nearby interested in attending the next monthly meeting is warmly invited. While spaces are limited to preserve the personal dynamic, leave a comment below or drop me a line here, and I’ll send over all the details.