Central Valley Photography Organizations
The Central Valley's vast artistic community is filled with amazingly talented, wonderful, and generous people, many of whom belong to organizations that allow them the opportunity share their knowledge and experience with others. Below are links to several of those organizations and links to the work of a few photographers that Janelle has the good fortune to call her friends and colleagues.
Stockton Camera Club
The Stockton Camera club was founded in 1946. Meetings are held most months on the 3rd Thursday of the month in the Banquet Room at West Lane Bowl in Stockton. The club's shared passion for photography brings them together to view, critique, and enjoy each others images. Members share their favorite printed photos, or digital images for a monthly competition. There are beginner and advanced categories with an open class and a special subjects class. Special subjects are posted at the beginning of the year, and might consist of: Trees, Portraits, Transportation, Pets, Flowers, etc. The club often does how-to workshops on photography or Photoshop techniques. The club also schedules photography field trips to picturesque places. The 2011 trip was to Bodie and Mono Lake during the fall color. Also, check out the club's Meetup page and Facebook page.
- Captivating Photos--Bill & Brigitte Clough
- Karleen Gansberg Photography
- Headin' West Photography--Greg Gideon
- Lori Makabe
- Carol Marshall Photography
- CM Photography the photography of Charlene Martin
- Elliott Pasinsky Photography
- Kim Romena
- Deb Shaw
- Sage Photography Studio--Trey Steinhart
- Heidesphotos photography by Heide Stover
- Vintage Street Photography work by Adrianne Street
- Dean Taylor
Photo Collective

The Photo Collective is a group of photographers of various levels of expertise and training who live in and around Stanislaus County. The group is self-funding and open to all who are interested in enhancing their photographic skill and knowledge. The purpose of the group is to promote photography as an art form. In pursuit of this goal the members work together to organize photographic exhibits, workshops and seminars within the community. Members also enjoy getting out and photographing together during organized photography trips and learning from one another during print reviews and programs during our monthly meetings.
Meetings are held the 1st Thursday of the month at members' homes. See the website for the next meeting location. Also, check out the group's Meetup Page.
Meetings are held the 1st Thursday of the month at members' homes. See the website for the next meeting location. Also, check out the group's Meetup Page.
San Joaquin Valley Camera Club Council
The council consists of camera clubs from Bakersfield to Stockton. All members of these camera clubs are automatically members of council, and are encouraged to participate in the monthly meetings and competitions. Council meetings are held on the second Sunday of each month, except June, July, and August. January is the business meeting and no competitions are scheduled. December is the Annual Awards Luncheon.
Meetings are held at the Ramada hotel on Shaw Avenue just east of Highway 41 in Fresno. Meetings begin at 10:00 a.m. and end around 2:00 p.m. There is always a PSA qualified judge present to give commentary. Workshops and field trips are also often scheduled.
Meetings are held at the Ramada hotel on Shaw Avenue just east of Highway 41 in Fresno. Meetings begin at 10:00 a.m. and end around 2:00 p.m. There is always a PSA qualified judge present to give commentary. Workshops and field trips are also often scheduled.
Tracy Camera Club
Modesto Camera Club
Modesto's Third Thursday Art Walk
Lodi's First Friday Art Hop
Oak Valley Art Society

The Oak Valley Art Society is an organization whose primary objective is to promote and encourage interest in the visual arts. OVAS was founded in 1999 in Oakdale and sponsors bi-annual art shows, various art-related events and has monthly meetings. Meetings, art shows, and events are currently held in the Ekholm Room at the Escalon Library, 1540 Second St, Escalon. The meetings are on the 3rd Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. for business followed by a speaker or art demonstration.