Recharging Their Batteries
by Jill Duff-Hoppes
As the new president of the Oviedo Photo Club, Tom Willoughby has goals for the group that are clearly in focus.
“We’re here to serve, we’re here to have fun, and we’re here to take better pictures,” says Tom, a member of the club since 2018 and its leader since January.
The Oviedo Photo Club, originally called the Oviedo Photography Club, began in 2009. The group thrived for years, meeting once or twice a month and taking photos at every major City of Oviedo event. However, membership fell off after the unexpected death in 2019 of former president Frederic Krueger, a man Tom describes as the lynchpin of the organization. The loss of Frederic was followed by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, which laid waste to most events and in-person meetings.
But recently, the club has been making a concerted effort to regroup, a push that is being met with enthusiasm by its core members and city officials. Tom estimates the organization has about 20 active members (down from its peak of 30-something), and he hopes the club continues to grow. Mayor Megan Sladek of Oviedo recently gave a shout-out to the group, noting its many years of dedicated service.
“Thank you to the Photo Club for helping document so many wonderful things in our community!” she wrote in a recent issue of her newsletter.
Photo-Op of the Century
Indeed, Oviedo Photo Club members will be out in full force at the City of Oviedo’s 100th anniversary celebration on April 26 at Center Lake Park (see sidebar). The club will have a booth at the event and plenty of roving shutterbugs on hand to capture compelling images of the festivities.
The centennial celebration will be just the latest gig in an already busy year for the club.
In January, members could be spotted all over town, photographing Oviedo’s Martin Luther King Parade, the Cops ‘N Cars for Kids car show, and the Sunshine Dance for the special needs community. In February, the club’s activities included taking photos at a UCF Symphony Orchestra concert at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and a photo field trip to a horse training center in Sorrento.
“By being at these community events, we’re being seen,” says Tom, an Oviedo resident, “and that’s really what I’m shooting for.”
Long Exposure
Some things are a bit different now than when the club was launched more than 15 years ago. Then, members often exchanged friendly banter over which camera brand was better, Canon or Nikon. These days, their good-natured debate is often about which cell phone camera is best, iPhone or Android.
Oviedo resident Margie Sloane joined the club in 2010 and immediately found a community of kindred spirits – folks who, like her, are always thinking about angles, lighting, and the perfect shot. Over the years, she has learned many useful tips and techniques at club meetings, which often feature guest speakers who are happy to share their expertise. The club also takes frequent field trips to locales around Central Florida, often to picturesque spots like parks and gardens but also to surprising places, including a junkyard. No matter the location, the outings give the participants valuable opportunities to improve their photography skills.
Sometimes, however, the excursions don’t go exactly according to plan, says Margie. Club members might set out on a two-mile hike through the woods, only to realize hours later that they’ve only covered a mere fraction of a mile. That’s because everyone insists on stopping every few feet to take more pictures.
“It’s not great cardio,” jokes Margie. “Photographers have their own mindset when they’re out and about taking pictures.”
Eyes Forward
For years, the Oviedo Photo Club has also exhibited collections of its pictures at Oviedo City Hall. Scott Ferris, a past president and semiprofessional photographer, sets the themes for the group’s rotating exhibits. His wife, artist Kellie Moore, curates the entries. A new exhibit was recently unveiled at Oviedo City Hall, further proof that the Oviedo Photo Club is getting back on track.
“The club is a pretty low-key and easygoing place to meet like-minded people with an interest in photography,” says Scott, a Chuluota resident who joined in 2011. “We are always open to new members and encourage anybody with an interest to come join us.”
The Oviedo Photo Club is open to photographers of all skill levels and with any type of camera or camera phone. Meetings are at 6:00 p.m. on the second Monday of the month at the St. Luke’s Lutheran Church office building, at 2021 West State Road 426. Annual membership dues are $25.
To learn more, visit OviedoPhotoClub.org.
The club also posts its photos on the Zenfolio photography platform for anyone to view, enjoy, and download at no charge.