“It’s one of the focal points in the year for us, as a group. We’re about to open an exhibition in a central London gallery, which is something none of those involved could really do by themselves. Many of the people taking part are exhibiting their work publicly for the first time, so it’s a big deal for them. “
Now in it’s seventh year of existence, the Gay Photogaphers Network initially started as a small group of gay photographers, who connected with each other via the social networking site OutInTheUK. “They’d all had a common experience of struggling for acceptance of their work at local photography clubs”, said Drennan “and wanted to find a social space where they could safely share their work with each other and just be themselves.”
The group has steadily grown over the last few years, and now has over 100 active members, as well as a significant social media following.
“One of the reasons that people are attracted to the group is that it allows them to bring together two very important aspects of their lives, being gay and having a passion for photography, into a single space. We get together once a month, and it’s mainly a chance to catch up with each other over a drink, find out what we’re all up to, and see what kinds of possibilities and collaborations spring up out of that. You see a few nervous ‘first timers’ coming along to a meeting, but they soon work out it’s very informal and relaxed. There’s no ‘skills test’ involved in joining the group, people range from passionate hobbyists to full-time professionals.”
It’s not just photographers who join the group though, with website designers, digital artists, re-touchers and models counted amongst the membership.
“We try and work out what aspects of photography people are most interested in learning about, and then every couple of months we’ll have a short tutorial or presentation on a particular aspect of photography. We also arrange ‘meet the model’ nights a couple of times during the year, so that people can get some first hand experience of photographing under studio conditions, with more experienced photographers on hand to offer tips and advice.”
Although the social aspect of the group is what people enjoy the most, they also recognise it’s an environment in which to improve their work, and be challenged to try different styles of photography.
“Most of the tutorials that are run are given by people from within the group, and although they’ve got that ‘deer in the headlights’ look five minutes beforehand, all really enjoy the experience of sharing something they’ve got some specific expertise in among friends and people they know. We also run monthly photo-challenges, which give people a few weeks to shoot something new along a particular theme or concept, and then bring back and share that work the following month.”
So what does the future hold for the Gay Photographers Network?
“Well, we’ve grown fairly steadily over the last few years, although there’s no point having growth for growth’s sake. We’ll never lose sight that one of the most important things the group does is to offer that social space where people with an interest in photography can come and just be themselves. We push and challenge ourselves to learn and develop new photographic skills as we go, and this makes an exhibition a natural ‘focal point’ in the year. ‘Gayzed’ will be our fourth group exhibition, and we’re delighted to be back at the Strand Gallery again. We were also invited by Foyles to host a photographic competition and exhibition in their gallery during London Pride 2013 and for the month of July, so we’re beginning to build a reputation of being ‘able to put on a good show’. We decided right back on our first exhibition that we ought to achieve something more than just a pat on the back for ourselves, so we use the exhibitions as a chance to raise funds for an amazing bunch of people at The Disabled Photographers Society. This year we’re also going to be supporting River House, who work in the community for people living with HIV.”
For more information EMAIL: info@gayphotographersnetwork.co.uk
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