I never gave much thought to attending NECCC because, I’m still new to photography and camera clubs but, I tossed my name in and surprisingly I was picked to attend as an honorary member of HDP.  Thank You!

 Not knowing what to expect, I waited for my packet to arrive in the mail so I could start planning. The form was easy to complete but, the schedule of events, presentations, etc. was not available yet. A few weeks later, the schedule came out, and I had to ask myself “how much can you really cram into a weekend”. The answer is lots with a well executed plan. No pre-conference workshops for me but, as soon I checked into my dorm room early Friday afternoon, I was off and running to get a feel for where things were located and attend my first workshop at 2pm.

Friday night ended around 10:00pm.

Saturday started off very early with breakfast at 7am so I could make the first presentation at 8am and it was continuous learning, lunch, running around from class to class, dinner, award presentation. I was busy for the entire day, it ended late, and I was tired but, had a blast.

Sunday started off early again with breakfast before starting the first presentation, a little bit of photography, I was able to get three presentations in on the last day. 

There were some very inspirational presenters, showing their images and discussing photography through their eyes. I especially liked, “Photographing the Night Light” with Roman Kurywczak and “Photojournalism” with Essdras Suarez.

Take aways are; I highly recommend an air conditioned dorm room. A well executed plan will get you into all the presentations that you’re interested in over the weekend. Thank you for allowing me the honor of attending.

Very happy I was chosen

Karen P. Thompson 

Going to the New England Camera Club Conference was one of the highlights of my summer. Until the conference, I had never really been so immersed in photography. I filled my schedule with workshops to attend and I was not disappointed by any of them.

The amount of information I took away from each workshop was substantial, but, for me it was more about those little bits and pieces the presenter might just briefly mention that I found most useful. It was an added bonus at the end of Street Photography with Lou Jones to learn that you only have about three seconds to take a picture before someone notices you. That kind of information is invaluable to me. Lou’s workshop was among some the most interesting and entertaining of those I attended at the NECCC, it was great to see the amazing work of a professional and hear the stories behind it too.

Joe McNally’s Saturday night presentation was also one my favorite events at the conference. His work is so inspiring; it was one amazing photo after another. Walking out of that seminar I felt compelled to go take pictures. Sometimes photography does get kind of boring and monotonous in my experience, waiting for a bird to move just a few inches over in the frame or coming home knowing that you didn’t really get any photos that you are happy with. Being inspired and motivated is very important to me as photographer and Joe McNally was able to accomplish those things while sharing his jaw-dropping work with the whole audience.

I am eagerly awaiting next year’s conference; I enjoyed my stay at the NECCC as a high school rep. very much! My suite style dorm at the North D tower was excellent; I did not expect such luxurious accommodations like air conditioning, two bathrooms, and a dorm room all to myself. Karen Geaghan was a superb director and coordinator, making sure that everyone knew where their workshops were and that we all ate our meals together. I could not have been more pleased with my experience at the NECCC.