Lakewood Ranch Digital Photography Club

General Membership Meetings With Guest Speakers

General Membership Meetings are held the 2nd Monday of each month (except holidays) at Manatee Technical College Main Campus,  6305 FL-70, Bradenton, Florida.

Our Foto-Focus training sessions start at 5:15 PM. During these sessions, a club member discusses a topic to help improve your photography.

The General Membership Meetings begin at 6:30 PM. Our monthly meetings include guest speakers, demonstrations of techniques, Image of the Month competitions, and a “Share Your Work” presentation.  There is also an opportunity before the  meeting and during the break to visit and share ideas with your fellow photography enthusiasts.

We welcome potential members, visitors and guests to attend our monthly meetings. There is no cost for attending one meeting. After that, a guest must become a member to attend additional meetings and enjoy other member benefits.

Click here for recordings of many General Meetings (for members only).

LWRDPC 2022 F3C 1st Triannual Digital Competition Ribbon Winners

Upcoming Meetings

    • September 14, 2026
    • 5:15 PM - 8:15 PM
    • Manatee Technical College – Main Campus, 6305 FL-70, Bradenton, FL
    Register

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    Remember to wear your name tag!

    Meeting Location: Manatee Technical College – Main Campus, 6305 FL-70, Bradenton, FL 

    5:15 to 6:00 pm: New Member Orientation with Gunilla Imshaug
    This presentation will be jam-packed with important and interesting information about our club and what the club has to offer its members. All NEW MEMBERS and long-tenured members are encouraged to attend.

    6:00 to 6:30 pm: Gather, Socialize, Buy 50/50 Tickets, Vote for People's Choice

    6:30 pm: General Meeting with Guest Speaker Darin Heinz 

    Topic: The Critique
    You know how your camera works. You've learned how to shoot and edit your photographs. This program explores the critique, the essential next stage in a photograph's lifecycle that prepares you for presentation. The Critique is a step-by-step approach to assessing the strengths and weaknesses an image possesses, and, more importantly, how to determine the weight of each, leading to how you can use that information in order to improve your craft. You want to succeed as a photographer, and this program will be instrumental in turning your question marks into periods, so that you can step confidently into the next contest or gallery show with your finest work.

    About Darin 

    A native of Melbourne, Florida, Darin Heinz first picked up a camera, his father's Nikon FM, without permission, at age 6 and promptly shot a whole roll of Kodachrome on out-of-focus views of the home office. Discovering the transgression two weeks later, his dad confronted him about it, and gave him a choice: 1977-style corporal punishment, or a rigorous education in how to properly use the thing. Choosing the latter, it turned out to be a life sentence.

    In his high school photography class, Darin turned heads with his unorthodox composition and experimental darkroom techniques. Later, as an undergraduate at Virginia Commonwealth University, expanded his knowledge with 4x5 and studio lighting, and having turned many more heads as a finalist in several student shows, was tapped to serve as a juror in a half-dozen exhibitions. After graduating with a BS in Psychology and minors in Photography, Mass Communication, and Anthropology, he joined ASMP and founded Heinzfoto, a commercial photography studio in Richmond specializing in imagery for global advertising campaigns, exploiting his unique combination of academic disciplines.
    After 9/11 (and a few personal setbacks), Darin returned to Melbourne; the relatively cooler commercial photography climate in his hometown allowed him to shift focus more onto creating fine art, conducting workshops, judging competitions. He joined the Camera Club of Brevard and quickly took a seat on the Board of Directors, holding the vice-president's role for several years, until relocating to Tampa.
    In 2020, Darin became a member of PPA and the Tampa Area Professional Photographers Association (TAPPA), and joined TAPPA's Board of Directors shortly afterward, eventually serving as the organization's president in 2024 and 2025.

    Today, he is still on TAPPA's Board of Directors, and is currently working to reestablish ASMP's presence in the area, while offering one-on-one consulting services to photographers at all experience levels, as well as continuing his practice in the fashion and advertising worlds, using various film formats, Nikon digital cameras, and, from time to time, still shoots with the Nikon FM that started his adventure.

    • October 12, 2026
    • 5:15 PM - 8:15 PM
    • Manatee Technical College – Main Campus, 6305 FL-70, Bradenton, FL
    Register

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    Remember to wear your name tag!

    Meeting Location: Manatee Technical College – Main Campus, 6305 FL-70, Bradenton, FL 

    5:15 to 6:00 pm: Pre-Meeting Foto-Focus
    Topic: 

    6:00 to 6:30 pm: Gather, Socialize, Buy 50/50 Tickets, Vote for People's Choice

    6:30 pm: General Meeting with Guest Speaker Kristen Jensen

    Topic: The Art of Seeing

    It's the photographer-not the camera. Learning and trusting how to see beauty in people in their very best light. Kristen will discuss:

    • Creating Better Portraits
    • Working With People
    • Simple Introduction to Manual Mode
    • Composition


    Kristen's Bio:
    Kristen Jensen's career has uniquely spanned both sides of the camera. Decades spent in front of the lens as a top international model -provided a deep understanding of image, communication, confidence, and human connection insights that now shape her work behind the camera as a top photographer and creative leader.

    Today, Kristen partners with corporations, organizations, executives, entrepreneurs, and established brands to develop strategic photography, promotional video, visual branding, and marketing communications that elevate perception and tell authentic stories. Her ability to quickly earn trust and direct people with empathy results in imagery and messaging that feels genuine, confident, and memorable.

    Creative Director, Photographer, Producer, Video Director, and Brand Strategist with decades of experience developing compelling visual communications that build trust, strengthen brands, and create meaningful connections.

    Whether producing a promotional campaign, directing executive portraits, creating visual brand assets, or consulting on creative strategy, Kristen combines artistic vision with business insight to deliver work that is both visually compelling and strategically effective.

    • November 09, 2026
    • 5:15 PM - 8:15 PM
    • Manatee Technical College – Main Campus, 6305 FL-70, Bradenton, FL
    Register

    Add to Calendar
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    Remember to wear your name tag!

    Meeting Location: Manatee Technical College – Main Campus, 6305 FL-70, Bradenton, FL 

    5:15 to 6:00 pm: Pre-Meeting Foto-Focus
    Topic: Bridge vs. Lightroom vs. Lightroom Classic with Pam Truitt 

    6:00 to 6:30 pm: Gather, Socialize, Buy 50/50 Tickets, Vote for People's Choice

    6:30 pm: General Meeting with Guest Speaker Joe Edelman 

    Topic The Photographer's AI Advantage 

    Note: This is an in-person meeting and Joe will be presenting live via Zoom.

    AI for photographers?

    Artificial Intelligence is everywhere right now, and photographers are hearing a lot of noise about it.

    Some people claim AI will replace photographers.
    Others think using AI is cheating.
    Many photographers are simply confused about what it actually means for them.

    The truth is much simpler.

    Artificial Intelligence is not a replacement for photographers.

    It is one of the most powerful thinking and learning tools photographers have ever had.

    In this eye-opening presentation, internationally known photographer and educator Joe Edelman shows photographers how AI can be used to learn faster, plan better shoots, and improve their photography.
    This is not a presentation about letting a computer create your images.

    It is about using AI as a practical tool to help photographers become more thoughtful, more prepared, and more creative.
    During this presentation you will discover how AI can help photographers:

    • Learn photography concepts faster and understand techniques more clearly
    • Brainstorm creative ideas and develop new shoot concepts
    • Plan shoots more effectively with better preparation
    • Research cameras, lenses, lighting gear, and supplies more efficiently
    • Analyze photographs and receive constructive feedback for improvement
    • Re-imagine images to explore new creative possibilities

    Most photographers are either ignoring AI completely or using it in ways that do very little to improve their photography.

    This presentation shows photographers how to use AI as a thinking partner, not a shortcut, so they can grow faster, experiment more, and push their creativity further.

    Whether you are curious, skeptical, or already experimenting with AI tools, this presentation will give you practical ways to take advantage of this powerful technology while keeping your photography authentic and uniquely your own.
    Learning Objectives

    Participants will learn how to:

    • Use AI as a powerful photography learning resource
    • Use AI to brainstorm and develop creative photography ideas
    • • Use AI to plan shoots and lighting setups
    • Use AI to research gear and equipment decisions
    • Use AI to evaluate photographs and identify improvements
    • Use AI to explore alternate creative directions for their images

    • December 03, 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Lakewood Ranch Town Hall

    Save the Date!


    Registration Deadline is Sunday, November 17!

    Our annual Focus on Members: A Holiday Celebration is just around the corner, and this year we’re putting the spotlight where it belongs—on you, our members!

    Date: Thursday, December 3

    Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM

    Location: LWR Town Hall, 8175 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.

    Members Only

    RSVP/Register by November 23!

    Join us for an evening of celebration, camaraderie, and recognition. Together, we’ll reflect on the many ways our members have contributed, grown, and shared their talents this year.

    The evening will include:

    1. Celebrating Member Participation & Achievements

    2, Special Recognition for Our Dedicated Volunteers

    3. Honoring Members Who Have Reached 10 Years

    Appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages provided.

    This gathering is our way of saying thank you for your creativity, your energy, and your community spirit. Come ready to enjoy good company, share stories, and raise a toast to another year of photography and friendship.

    Please join us at your own risk knowing that the Lakewood Ranch Digital Photography Club is not liable for any injury or damage claims resulting from participation with this event. Let's be careful out there!”

    We look forward to celebrating with you!

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