For Bruno Vinel, photography has evolved through different stages of his life - from early experiments with film, to documenting the places he’s lived and visited, to a more recent focus on street photography.
Since joining the Royal Photographic Society (RPS) in 2024, that journey has taken on a new dimension. Alongside developing his own practice, he’s become a key part of the Central Region’s volunteer team as Regional Organiser, helping create opportunities for members to learn, connect, and get more from their photography.
Creativity, connection, and community
Photography is more than image-making for Bruno. It’s a way to slow down, focus, and engage more deeply with the world around him.
“Just being present, observing people and what’s around you – it helps bring me into the moment,” he explains.
That sense of presence is balanced by something equally important: connection. Through photography, Bruno has found opportunities not just to create, but to meet others, share ideas, and build relationships.
“The RPS community is really lovely,” he says. “You meet people, you share your work, you do things together. That social element is very important.”
From member to volunteer
Bruno joined the Royal Photographic Society in 2024, initially to develop his skills through workshops. But as of June this past year, he has stepped into a volunteer role with the Central Region committee, drawing on his love of organising and creating things for people.
Over the past eight months, he has leaned into the challenge, helping grow the committee, bring in new volunteers, and start reshaping how activities are delivered.
“We asked members of the region what they wanted in a survey,” he explains. “And they told us clearly: they want things happening close to them. Not everyone can travel far, but they still want to connect.”
Bruno hopes to take these insights and encourage more volunteers across the counties in the Central Region to help run local events.
Image credit: Bruno Vinel
Turning a photo walk into something more
One of Bruno’s standout initiatives shows exactly what that can look like.
After running a street photography workshop at Birmingham’s Bull Ring markets, he decided not to let the experience end there.
Instead, he invited participants to continue the journey – reviewing their images together, curating a selection, and ultimately creating both a public exhibition and a printed photo book.
“It’s not very often that something happens after the walk,” he says. “Images often just sit on a hard drive. I wanted to give members the chance to actually do something with their work.”
The result was a three-week exhibition in the market itself, with positive feedback from traders and visitors alike. For participants, it was a chance to see their work displayed, shared, and celebrated.
Image credit: Nick Brown, Photobook cover
Why volunteering matters
For Bruno, volunteering is ultimately about people.
“It’s the feeling of helping others, but also the reward of meeting members and seeing them enjoy what you’ve organised,” he says.
Importantly, he’s keen to stress that volunteering doesn’t have to be a huge commitment.
“You can give the time you have,” he says. “It might be helping on a committee, or simply organising a local photo walk once in a while. You don’t need special skills – just the willingness to bring people together.”
Image credit: Ashraf Kahn
An open invitation
As the RPS continues to grow and evolve, volunteers like Bruno play a vital role in shaping what membership looks like on the ground.
Whether it’s organising events, creating opportunities for others, or simply helping foster connections, there are countless ways to get involved.
And as Bruno’s story shows, sometimes it starts with a simple decision to say yes.
“You meet great people,” he says. “You create something meaningful. And you make a difference to the community.”
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer for The RPS, please reach out to us at volunteers@rps.org.