Members from the Kiama-Shellharbour Camera Club will be exhibiting their work at the Old Fire Station next Thursday - and Kevin O’Gorman it marks a personal milestone.

O’Gorman, a retired teacher and librarian, joined the Kiama-Shellharbour Camera Club as just something to do in retirement and after six years it has grown into something much more.

“I retired roughly seven years ago from work and then a year later I ran into some friends who were involved with the club, knowing that I had done photography in the past, they said I should try it out,” he says.

“Initially I thought it was just going to be another hobby in retirement but after six years of enjoying it so much, I've actually enrolled to do formal training at TAFE this year because I realised I wanted to go further.”

O’Gorman’s work will be featured in the exhibition which begins on Thursday, 22 May until 28 May and it’ll be the second time his work has been featured as a part of the club’s group exhibitions.

“I was very hesitant to put work into the exhibitions, even though I've been with the club for many years. But last year, I took some photographs, mostly portraits, and entered them. And one of mine was the first one to sell,” he says.

“It sort of affirmed that I was doing the right thing and I think that's one of the reasons the club is important because it gives you an avenue and the confidence to put your work out there,” he says.

O’Gorman’s growth as an artist in the one year since that first exhibition can be seen clearly in the more experimental work he has chosen to submit for this one.

“I've got one that's more of a creative composite as well as two macro shots and one that's an actual travel panorama that I did when we were in New Zealand,” he says.

“And that’s one of the big benefits of being in the club, we do various shoots. We do a lot of landscape as well as street photography, event photography. We go to places like Cockatoo Island and White Bay Power Station, places that have some interesting architecture.”

“We've just recently had a presentation by a photographic artist who does imaginary composite photos using photographic elements that she combines into very imaginary pictures. It’s really eye opening.”

The club has also been using Zoom to connect with photographers all around Australia and even in the UK which has broadened their horizons and expanded the main thing that O’Gorman enjoys about the club - the community.

One of Linda Fury's photos in the exhibit of Bombo Quarry. Photos supplied.

“I think the main part that has helped my development is actually being part of the club, because the people in the club share their expertise. And when we go on shoots, members are there to give suggestions and talk about how they go about things,” he says.

“I actually think it's the teamwork of the club that's the most important thing for improving your photography. I think when you're sharing the same interests with people who understand what you're talking about and what you're trying to achieve, it makes it easier and it creates a safe and friendly place to practice photography.”

Also joining Kevin at the exhibition will be Kiama-Shellharbour Camera Club members Geraldine Lefoe and Flavio Spedalieri as well as President of the Club Linda Fury. 

If you are interested in joining the Kiama-Shellharbour Camera Club, visit their website and get in touch with Linda.