Calendar of Events
November 16
Blue Ridge Art Center's WhoDunIt? Fund Raiser Studio Gallery Event begins at 6 pm For more info and tickets, click here November 16 - January 4, 2020
Blue Ridge Art Center's Holiday Show and Sale RLE Gallery November 16 - 6 pm - Opening Reception For more info, click here ![]()
November 28
Blue Ridge Art Center Closed for Thanksgiving November 30
Shop Small Saturday/Light Up Blue Ridge RLE Gallery December 5
BRMP Guild Holiday Party 5 pm - Set Up 6 pm - Festivities RLE Gallery specific details added to blog page once approved by the board December 14
UNG Holiday Chorale Group Performance RLE Gallery Performance begins at 2 pm Rand Resource Library
The Art Center offers to our members a resource library with various books and multi-media items including photography resource material, nature and wildlife books, how-to books in various mediums, art books from around the world, and multiple publications. Named in honor of Ned Rand, Sr., who was instrumental in the foundation of our photography guild, Blue Ridge Mountains Photographers, the Rand Resource Library offers a variety of information for artists of all mediums. Please stop on by the Art Center to see our library. If you wish to enjoy any of the materials at home, simply fill out the information in the check out binder so we will know who is enjoying the materials. |
Founded in 2009, the Blue Ridge Mountains Photographers operates as a guild organization under the umbrella of the non-profit Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association and Art Center.
Our mission is to encourage the acquisition of knowledge, improve artistic and technical expertise, and the understanding and enjoyment of photography through membership, classes, group photo shoots, demonstrations, and exhibits; and to support the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association in their endeavors. As a member of BRMP, you will have access to guest speakers, instruction, critique, mentoring, in-house shows, exhibits, field trips, social activities and mutual support. Membership is open to amateur and professional photographers of all levels and requires membership in the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association. Click here for information on how to be a member of Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association and Blue Ridge Mountain Photographers. Blue Ridge Mountains Photographers Meetings:
Blue Ridge Mountains Photographers Guild
2019 Board of Directors ![]() Jack Snow - President
As I recall, I have been interested in photography for as long as I can remember but with love, life, and the pursuit of happiness (not to mention trying to make a living) it really did not gel until the dawn of the digital age. The earliest training I recall was “point the camera at your subject, push the button half way down and then push it all the way down”. I seem to recall that I thought that was incredibly stupid and not only that; I had trouble doing it! In 1998 I retired from my real job (Publix SuperMarkets) and took up scuba diving with my son, Steve. He was doing some computer work for one of our local dive shops, and the owner gave him a 1 mega-pixel digital camera. This re-awakened my interest in photography and led to us diving internationally and meeting a professional underwater photographer named Steve Fish (Fishtales.com, Vimeo, and a blog). This chance encounter (in Indonesia) led to some lessons, private tutoring, a friendship and a great basic knowledge of photography in general and of course underwater photography in particular. In 2007 my wife and I purchased a vacation home in McCaysville, Georgia. The first fall season was one of those rare “good” ones and I decided right then that I needed to learn some skills regarding dry land photography. Speaking of skills, while I have had no real formal training and usually refer to myself as “self-taught” when I think about that, it is not very accurate. In fact, I have been “taught” by nearly everybody with whom I have had a photographic conversation. And in fact, much, if not most. Of my training has occurred right here in our Blue Ridge Mountain Photography Club. Yep, that’s right. From the programs to going on some photo shoots, asking questions both during the meetings and even during the informal social time. I really have learned so much. So take advantage of all the knowledge and opportunities that being a member of our club entails and thanks for the privilege of serving on your Board. Happy Shooting, Jack ![]() Anne Heikkila - Secretary
I was born and raised in California, and I attended college there, receiving my degrees in speech pathology and audiology. I relocated to Atlanta in the 1980s for work, and have been here ever since! My husband and I have just moved full time to the Blue Ridge area after raising our two children down in Forsyth County. I became interested in photography when my daughter was participating in horse shows and my son was playing hockey. With the children grown and out on the own, I now focus on nature and landscape photography. I love all things outdoors; hiking, camping, backpacking and paddling, and always take my camera along! When I’m not outside taking pictures, I am usually in my glass art studio or out in my garden. ![]() Pam Wendell - Treasurer
I developed an interest in photography way back in high school physics class when the teacher had us build pinhole cameras from a shoebox. I made an image of a stinky old sneaker, had it put on display, received some praise and was hooked on the idea of photography! Unfortunately, other interests took over, and it wasn’t until several years ago that I rediscovered the photography bug and finally purchased a DSLR. I enjoy many aspects of photography and so seem to find myself consistently on the steep learning curve in my current area of interest. Nature, landscape and macro photography are areas I seem to consistently come back to and I can often be found hiking with my dogs, a backpack and a camera. I’ve been a member of the photography club for the last year and look forward to the coming year, meeting and interacting with other club members! Links of Interest
The resource list below is to encourage those members, who may not be able to attend a regular scheduled photo shoot, to grab their camera and go on your own to "get that shot" If you have a favorite location or two to share, email the webmaster. Cherohala Skyway Jack Anthony Photography - North Georgia Waterfalls - Good Photos and Directions Georgia State Parks Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds Crane Creek Vineyards - Private property - Call Ahead Folks School - Private Property - Call Ahead Blairsville - Union County Chamber of Commerce Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce Fannin County Chamber of Commerce Free Things to Do Outdoors in the Northeast Georgia Mountains Free Things to Do Indoors in the Northeast Georgia Mountains Cades Cove Clayton County Wetlands GSMNP Landforms Sosebee Cove Tennessee Landforms Georgia Nature Photographers Association |