PhotOkinawa - Photography meet up

Love photography? Like to Mingle? Then you will want to know about the PhotOkinawa Ning group.

Back when I lived I San Diego, I joined a photography meet up group. My first meeting that I RSVPed to with them was a carpooling trip to the Anza Borrego Desert. Yes, I was a little nervous. Will they be friendly, snobby or just plain weird? It all ran through my mind. We met up in some car park near downtown San Diego, allocated cars and off we went. I do realize that I could have been taking a trip to the middle of nowhere with 20+ virtual strangers who could have been serial killers, but you have to take some risks in this life! I will never forget that trip, I was on a photography high for days, it was so much fun. All meetups with that group after that were very easy! I am actually still a member so when/if I go back, I am all set to go!

When I got here, I missed that group, so I decided to start one here.

Shannon, another local photographer (see below!) had also started a monthly photographer meeting, so we sort of cross message the 2 groups.Photo By Pamela Oliveras.
So far we have been a a few outings and had models to photograph. Last year we went up to the Haunted Hotel a number of times with models in tow...

Photo by Pamela Oliveras.

Photo by Deni Marlene.

Yeah, yeah, I know it's 'off limits' now. Boo hoo. We have been down to Kokusai and Gate 2 to 'photograph the photographer'. Here's a few of us posing!

Photo by Anya Schmidt.
Oh, and men are welcome too! Here's proof! 3 monkeys after hanging photos at Sushi Zen last month.

Photo By Shannon Entwistle

Street photography your thing? You might even like to turn around and photograph some of the locals...Many people are happy to be photographed...

Photo by Pamela Oliveras.

There a twice monthly meetings on the 1st (Lester Starbucks @ 9am) and 3rd Thursdays (walkabout) of the month.

Have a photography related question? You can bet someone will answer it on the forum. Gear to sell? Start here, I sold a lens in a day and others have had success too. Did you wake up and feel like some company to go and shoot? Then post it on the groups forum and someone may want to join you!

All are welcome, whether you are an amateur or a pro, new or old to the art or if this is a mild hobby or some kind of obsession (ahem)! In answer to a question about not having the 'best/latest' equipment: "if it makes photos bring it! No-one cares what equipment you have. At the end of the day, it's your art and there's more to it that the equipment. It's composition, a feeling, what you like, a passion. Most of all, it's about getting together with people who like to photograph a lot!"

In the works for 2010: more walkabouts, photograph the photographer, a night shoot, Ryuku Mura, Yomitan, what else? This is everyone's group so join in and bring your ideas to the table. You never know, you might even make a friend or two.

Comments

[Laurel]

Wow. This has me very excited about arriving in Okinawa. I will be there at next month meetings for sure!

[Jyllian]

Great post Pam and such a wonderful way to spread the word! Ahhhh...sighz...I miss the haunted hotel=) I hope I can meet up with you guys one day. In the meantime, I'm on the search for a model with really big hair...LOL=D

[Alexis]

Jyllian--let me know if you need one with really really THIN hair! lol:)

[Sandra]

anything on the weekends or evenings? would be great but stupid work always gets in the way :)

[Priscilla]

Wow- Now I REALLY can't wait to get to Okinawa! :D I'm by no means a pro and recently got a new camera that STILL has me scratching my head at times lol. But I can't wait to tag along to learn and enjoy the company of people who love what I do.
I'll keep checking back and will join a "meeting" once I'm there.
Hope to meet you soon!

[Rshell McCarty]

My daughter is looking into photo journalism ( Seattle ,Washington yeah!!) and would love to tag along and learn how to take great pics of Oki before we leave (5 months). Do you have any weekend or holiday excusions she can venture on to get a feel?

[Pamelala]

Hi everyone,
The best way to get a shoot going for the eves/weekends is to post on the PhotOkinawa gp page and see if anyone wants to join you. I myself usually don't go on weekend stuff as I have the kids and if I go photographing I just get up and go randomly! But, anyone can organize anything and whoever can go, goes. In the past as well, we have gotten models at the weekend and gone on a 'model shoot' which is really cool and fun. :o)

[Trish]

Is there a photo group meeting set up for this Thursday, February 18th? If so where?

[Amanda]

Pamela~

Just wanted to say again how much fun I had doing the photo shoot at the Haunted Mansion. That was such a blast with all you ladies! Hope to be able to do something again soon! Hope all is well! :)

[Pamelala]

Trish, not sure just yet, that is Shannon's group, will post as soon as I know. Amanda, it was a blast, would love to shoot you again :o)

[Amanda]

does anyone need models? I would love to tag along on one of these and be one!

[Pete Leong]

Hey Everyone! Im Pete, An Aussie pro wedding photog moving down to Okinawa from 8 years in Fukushimaken. I would really love to meet up with other keen photogs on the island pro or am. But looks from the photos this is an all girls group. No boys welcome? Anyway I'll be coming to the island for a couple of days (17~19th march) to look for an aparto and check the place out. Hope to meet you soon! cheers, Pete. (petesphotography (@) gmail . com)

[Pamelala]

Hi Pete, we have boys, see monkey photo above and a few more! :o)

[Pete Leong]

Ah thats great thanks! I hope I can meet up with some of you if your shooting on the 18th!

[Kelly]

I just got here the other day and currently in a hotel. Can't wait to get settled so I can join you all!! I want to go camera lens shopping to get some more things for my camera!

[Darin H]

Well, this seems like fun. Is there anything going on in the next few weekends?

[Pamelala]

If anyone is interested, Shannon is leading a photowalk this coming Sat (24th), all the info can be found at http://worldwidephotowalk.com/
Type in Okinawa and the info will come up...
This will be great for all kinds of photographers who just want to get out and shoot some backstreets of Okinawa and meet other fellow photographers...
Cheers, Pam :o)