The Photography Club is one of more than 300 registered student organizations at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Hannah Johnson, president and one of the founding members, started the club so that other students could have an opportunity to learn more about the art of photography.
I love that there are so many excited members that want to take part in this,” Johnson said.
James Greco, a photography professor at FGCU, is the club’s advisor. FGCU has photography classes but not many and the photography club is, in a way, a substitute for that.  Students who are not able to take a photography course can join the club and get the same experience.
The Photography Club hosts many workshops for its members to learn more about photography and to improve on his or her  skills.  Workshops include guest speakers such as professional photographers that help teach members more about photography. Different workshop topics include lighting, portrait, camera basics and night  and flash photography.
For some of the meetings, the photo club takes field trips to scenic locations.  “It helps students get out of the classroom and into the community,” Johnson said.
Members of the photography club are able to earn service-learning hours.  The club’s officers post volunteer opportunities on the club’s page under the student involvement tab on FGCU’s website. The opportunities are for non-profit organizations that either want pictures of an event or something posted on the organization’s website.  These are volunteer opportunities; however, some of the jobs may be paid.
The club hosts photography contests. Prizes are handed out to winners and runner-ups.
The Photography Club contains members from a variety of majors.  Many are art majors, but some are the complete opposite.  Club member Reinaldo Horta, an environmental engineering major, considers photography to be more of a hobby than a potential career path.
“It’s something that I enjoy to do all the time,” Horta said.
By being apart of the club, Horta has learned what it takes to shoot photography.
“The Photography Club has made me more quick with a camera,” Horta said.  “It’s pushed me to have a camera on me at all times.  It’s helped me observe every detail of everything that I see everyday and to look for opportunities to take good pictures.”
According to the photography club profile on the FGCU website, its mission is to offer FGCU students an opportunity to interact with others with common interests and to expand their knowledge and developing skills.  It allows members to interact with the community and develop a portfolio.
The Photography Club meets every other Wednesday in Ben Hill Griffin Hall, room 111 at 5 p.m.  The next meeting will be Oct. 1.
Students that are not able to attend the photography club meetings can stay up to date by following the club’s Instagram (@fgcuphotographyclub) or Flickr (@FGCU_photography).
Anyone who is interested in joining or wants to know more information on the club can email the president Hannah Johnson at [email protected]