Society Information

The club was formed in 1992 by a small group of dedicated amateur photographers. The group has grown over the years and now has a membership of nearly 30, all with varying degrees of experiences from those just taking up photography to retired professionals, covering a cross section of diverse genres including medium and large format film to the latest mirrorless cameras, and everything in-between.

We pride ourselves on the level of encouragement to both old and new members to further improve their photographic skills and knowledge. To this end the club meets from September through to April each year, along with planned gatherings over the summer.

We normally meet at the Nairn Community and Arts Centre on Tuesdays at 7.30pm to 9.30pm from September to April.

If you would like to join us please feel free to come along and give us a try. Your first three sessions are completely free (excluding external speakers) before you need to officially join. Non-members may attend any of our external talks for a one-off fee of £4, payable on the night. Our annual subscription* can be paid monthly and equates to less than £2.50 per Tuesday night session over the season, this includes tea/coffee and biscuits as well as any club led summer activities, additional training and ad hoc sessions.

*Membership is free for anyone in full-time education.

Committee

MARK GILES

Mark Giles President Nairn Photographic Society

President

president@nairncameraclub.co.uk

KAREN GILES

Club Secretary

secretary@nairncameraclub.co.uk

KAREN TOLMIE

Treasurer

treasurer@nairncameraclub.co.uk

VACANT

Social Media

social@nairncameraclub.co.uk

JOHN ASHFORD

Competition Secretary

competitions@nairncameraclub.co.uk

KEVIN SKINNER

Programme Secretary

programme@nairncameraclub.co.uk

RICHARD GERRING

Fundraising Member

fundraising@nairncameraclub.co.uk

IAN MAXWELL

Member

member@nairncameraclub.co.uk

Programme Sub-Committee

KEVIN SKINNER

Programme Secretary

SHONA HUNTER

Member

VACANT

Member

Nairn Photographic Society
2025/2026 Draft Programme

DateSession 1
7:30pm
Session 2
8:40pm
9th SepWelcome / Programme Update Competition Terms,Summer Challenge/Activities Photo Review. Term Challenge Topic
16th SepAGMHow to select a Good Title for your photos (interactive group exercise)

23rd Sept

Club Equipment Demo & Practical – Scanner, Lighting & Printer
27th SepHighland ChallengeUHI House, Raigmore Hospital, hosted by Inverness Camera Club
30th SepHand-in Deadline for Competition 1: Animal Kingdom
30th SepKevin Skinner – Monochrome Landscapes – my story
07th OctPhotographing Light Trails – Night out in Inverness 
14th OctHighland Challenge Review
21st OctCompetition 1: Animal Kingdom – In Person Judge: Mike Hall, Torphins
28th OctCompetition 1 – Top 3 discussionLearning Circles
04th NovStill Life PracticalBring camera, tripod etc
11th NovSpeaker 2: Allie Brown from Speyside Wildlife Centre – Inner Hebrides Canna & Corncrakes
18th NovHand-in Deadline for Competition 2: Frames/Framing/Framed
18th NovStill Life Review/Discussion of Images – 2 Images per member from the practical session on 4th Nov.
 REMINDER NCC PHOTO EXHIBITION Date TBC

NAIRN COMMUNITY CENTRE
2026 – Start Preparing images (select, print & mount/frame)

25th NovMacro/Close-upPractical session in groups
02nd DecCompetition 2: Frames/Framing/Framed – In person Judge: George Herraghty, Lhanbryde
9th DecCompetition 2 – Top 3 discussionLearning Circles
16th DecTerm Competition – reviewChristmas Social (bring & share) – Team Quiz
 CHRISTMAS BREAKHAPPY HOLIDAYS!
 6th JanWelcome back: Programme update & Term Competitions inc Creative Challenge

Pictures within Pictures

This is not just cropping this is visualising a different image altogether, one that portrays a completely different genre or story…

13th JanHand-in Deadline – Competition 3: Water
13th Jan

Going Manual with flash -Everything you ever wanted to know about flash and some things you didn’t…

Flash practical
and help clinic

20th JanSpeaker 3: Kevin MorganPuffins: Life on the Atlantic
Edge
27th JanBlack & White Night shoot some film and develop the film – practical hands on experience night
03rd FebCompetition 3: Water – Judge: Donald Fisher, Scourie (in person dependant on weather)
1oth FebCompetition 3 – Top 3 discussionLearning Circles
17th FebPortfolio Competition – Hand-in Deadline
17th FebSpeaker 4: Jill Whelan – Cyanotypes Including practical demonstration
24th FebNight Street Photography – using shadows and available light around Nairn to photograph people.– an opportunity to get some last minute entries for our next competition
3rd MarHand-in Deadline – Competition 4: Street Photography
3rd MarPortfolio Presentations
Judging by members

Review of Nairn Street Photography members images

10th MarStudio Portrait Session
17th MarPainting with Light – Demonstration and Practical Session. Portfolio Presentations

Bring cameras and Tripods

(club tripods will be available)

24th MarCompetition 4: Street Photography – Judge: Stewart Dodd, Dundee (online, possible AV)
31st MarCompetition 4 – Top 3 discussionLearning Circles
2nd AprCompetition Hand-in 

for Debbie Collins Creative Award

7th AprScavenger Hunt (Shoreline)
14th AprICM Practical Outing – Location TBC
21st AprBest of the best Judge: Douglas Allan, Penicuik (online judging) / Debbie Collins Challenge (voted by members)
24th AprEnd of Season Dinner – Royal Bengal, NairnAwards Presentation