President’s Message #14

As we are getting ready for the holiday season we should all pause for a minute and think about how lucky we are.

We live in one of the most beautiful spots in the world where we can go skiing in the morning and then kayaking in the Pacific Ocean in the afternoon. We can photograph orcas, eagles, seals, and bears anytime we want to by driving a few hours north on the island.

The majestic mountains, beautiful beaches, scenic valleys, iconic vineyards, and rustic farms make this island truly a one-of-a-kind place on this planet, and I haven’t even mentioned the beautiful city of Victoria and its hundreds of attractions and unique cultural landmarks and exquisite gardens.

We, as photographers, have never been so lucky. Our club is the home of an amazing wealth of photographic talent with some of the best photographers in our community. However, what truly sets our club apart is not only the exceptional skill of its members, but the people themselves. It is the friendship, passion, and supportive spirit of our members that make this club a remarkable and inspiring place for everyone involved.

I must thank all the committees and SIGs who make this all possible. It’s your dedication and leadership that truly sets this club apart. You are the ones whose guidance and commitment makes our new members aspire to higher levels of photographic achievement. I can’t thank you enough for your impact on the club and its newer members.
In my years as President, I have noticed our members are becoming increasingly outgoing and genuinely friendly to each other. We are building lasting friendships and, I am hopeful, a vibrant, engaged community within our club—a community that not only shares a passion for photography but helps and supports each other.

Looking ahead to next year, we may be facing some challenges. Like any large club, we have a continual rotation of members as older members leave and newer members join. Our mission in 2026 is to raise awareness about who we are and attract new photographers. We have some strategies planned—such as getting the media involved with press releases and Public Service Announcements—and we have a few other creative ideas. Each member can play a role and support the club by mentioning us to some of your aspiring photographer friends and acquaintances.

For next year, as we always do, we will host a range of inspiring guest speakers to help us grow and learn more about our artform. We will feature exciting and educational competitions to challenge ourselves to do better, and field trips to unique and unusual places. We have now built bridges to the Sidney Camera Club and the Cowichan Valley Camera Club, and we will work together to create some exciting joint events to further enrich all our clubs. It will be an opportunity to network and build relationships.

I want to thank all the new members who joined us this year. We look forward to the fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and creative energy you will bring to the club. The reason most join is to learn and improve their art and that is our club’s mission statement. We are dedicated to achieving that and we want our club to be a welcoming and inspiring place for all our members.

Once again, I must sincerely thank our Board of Directors who have stayed with us for the last 2 years. That commitment and consistency has enabled us to effectively govern the club and keep the club moving in the right direction. The members of our Board dedicate countless hours to the club, working diligently to maintain our reputation as one of the best photography clubs in Canada. They are Rilla Ballantyne, Ron Charles, Dennis Crabtree, Bob Law, Margaret McNay, and Jerome Rozitis. I love working with these great people and they are a joy to work with. Give them your thanks.

Once again, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See everyone in 2026 at Norway House.

James Dies – President – Victoria Camera Club