Stephen Walton Photography Workshops

“One man can destroy a world, but it takes a community to build one.“

I made up that quote but it starts this talk off appropriately! Anyway, whatever your personality type, you won’t get past the gatepost without having a few like-minded (and like-skilled) photo friends.

Why Do You Need Photography Friends?

A photography network gives you something that is hard to find on YouTube, in a book, or through blogs (yes even this one as great as it is!) Photography friends offer support, response, honesty, and encouragement.

The problem with online social content is that it tends to go one way – from the creator to you. Whereas what you need is a 2-way conversation to deal with your particular issues.

Amateur photographers love to share photos and experiences. Find yourself an engaging and suitable photo community to join and embed yourself immediately. Make friends, comment on photos, ask questions you need answers to, ask for help – (kind people will never miss an opportunity to help) but don’t abuse help, always be reciprocal.

Where Do I Find Friends like these?

Where indeed?!

It may be a case of scouring the internet one night searching through forums, dedicated photo communities, photo-sharing websites, Twitch streams, Reddit forums, and of course, Facebook groups.

Be careful not to plumb for the biggest one. Overpopulated groups aren’t always the best. What you need is an engaging group wherever it is. Maybe it’s only a few hundred people large but it looks like posts get responses and regularly. You may have to join and leave a few groups to find the right one first.

If you’ve found a great little photo community out there on the web then drop us some links and let me know.