The RPS would be entirely different without the incredible work of volunteers. Hundreds of passionate photographers give their time generously every year to keep the Society moving. As the RPS prepares to celebrate volunteers with a recognition scheme, two recruits explain why they channel their creativity and energy into the Society.
Edgar Gibbs FRPS, who this year marks his 37th year as an RPS volunteer, began his journey in 1989 when he set up the South Wales Audio Visual (AV) Group. In the years since, he has held a string of positions in the RPS AV community, including Chair of the RPS Audio Visual Group and Director of the Royal Photographic Society International Audio Visual Festival.
“My voluntary work has always been a partnership,” says Gibbs. “My wife Linda and I ran the South Wales Audio Visual Group together and shared in the wider AV work, even though she is not a member of the RPS.”
In 2017, Edgar and Linda Gibbs were both honoured with an RPS Dobson Henry Medal in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the AV medium.
“Volunteering has been a chance to use practical skills to organise events and, just as importantly, to help other photographers and AV-makers develop their own work,” explains Gibbs.
“That combination – community, creativity and service – is deeply satisfying, and it’s a big part of why I’ve stayed involved for so long.”
RPS Dobson Henry Medal recipients Linda Gibbs MPAGB AV-AFIAP and Edgar Gibbs FRPS MPAGB AV-AFIAP
One of the Society’s newer volunteers is Livvi Grant who gave her time on the Women in Photography Group’s 40% initiative.
“There is something quietly powerful about using photography to document the women who make up 40% of our parliament, putting faces to a statistic,” she says. “It is exactly the kind of work that reminds you what photography is really for – bearing witness and making sure people cannot look away.”
Main image: From the series Between Sun and Stone by Livvi Grant & portrait of Livvi Grant
Grant says she is proud to have volunteered with Women in Photography, an experience she found immensely rewarding.
“Photography can feel like an uneven playing field and being part of a community actively working to change that – sharing knowledge, amplifying voices and creating space for connection – feels genuinely worthwhile.”
“Volunteers bring a huge amount of value to the Society,” says Toby Tetrault, RPS Director of Marketing and Membership. “I work extensively with the volunteers and want to thank them for their dedication, ideas, warmth to nurture new members and volunteers, and for the commitment in providing their skills and experience to the RPS.
“Volunteers enable our Society to have more connections with UK and international members to support them on their photography journeys.” That, Tetrault says, “aligns with our shared purpose – photography for everyone”.
Interested in volunteering for the RPS? Contact: volunteers@rps.org