Karoline Cullen had been a fan of photography all her life when she started to pursue it seriously more than 10 years ago.
But it was while she was strolling the Ladner market with her camera gear in tow that her photography found a home.
“A woman stopped me, and asked me if I’d be interested in coming to a meeting [of the Delta Photo Club],” she says. “I’m glad I did.
Four years later, Cullen is the club’s publicity director, and one of its biggest cheerleaders.
The Delta Photo Club was founded in the 1970s and now counts more than 100 members in its ranks.
Cullen says the diversity of photographers and skill levels is part of what makes the club so great, and has helped to make her a better photographer.
“It ranges from beginners to very seasoned pros,” she says. “We have nature photographers, street photographers, photo illustrators.”
Cullen says her first passion is nature and wildlife photography. But when it’s rainy out, she likes to retire to the photo studio in her basement where she shoots portraits, as well as food and beverage work.
“It’s a happy day when I’m taking photos,” she says.
The club regularly holds critique nights where the more experienced members offer advice and friendly criticism of members’ works. The club also puts on workshops focusing on everything from macro and flash work, to travel photography.
“There’ so much willingness to share experience,” she says. “We have some amazing photographers and they are always willing to offer advice.”
Next month the club is holding its third annual Delta Photo Inspirations event, which features keynote speaker Christopher Morris, who has shot for Reuters and Canadian Press, along with local and national newspapers, and will be speaking about his experiences covering the Olympics.
The two-day event, which runs April 26 and 27, features half a dozen photography workshops for all levels, as well as a juried photo exhibition.
Submission deadline for the photography contest is April 12, and an early bird draw will be held March 24 for those who register by then. Categories are open colour, open monochrome, and nature.
The Delta Photo Club will be featuring a photo of the month taken by one of its members, every month in the South Delta Leader. This month’s selection is Cullen’s Spiral Reflections.
For more information about the Delta Photo Club or the DPI 2013 event, visit www.deltaphotoclub.com. The Delta Photo Club meets 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays (September - May) at the KinVillage Recreation Centre in Tsawwassen.
Karoline Cullen photographed this still life of a nautilus shell during a workshop led by fellow photo club member, Francois Cleroux. Cullen says she was attracted by the beautiful repetitive spiral of the chambers and the luminescence of the shell along with the simplicity of the reflection. This image has won multiple awards, including second place in the colour category at the 2012 Delta Photo Inspirations.