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Visitor Information: The RPS Gallery and coffee shop will be closed on Saturday 7 December

National Volunteer Week

3 - 9 June 2024

Celebrating our Volunteers

Join us in celebrating our incredible volunteers! Our volunteers go above and beyond every single day in a variety of roles. From running national and international activities in the Regions, Special Interest Groups and Chapters, to assisting with Distinctions and the governance of the charity, taking on a Trustee Role. The RPS is very fortunate to have such an amazing and engaged volunteer base within our membership. 

This page is dedicated to highlight all the great events and activities our volunteers create to help build our community. 

 

Event Highlights | Book an Event | Groups, Regions & Chapters | Our Volunteers

Explore Our Volunteer Led Events

2023 Pelt Photo Festival RPS Benelux Members © Carol Olerud FRPS

Book an Event

Our volunteers host as wide ranging mix of events, workshops, talks and exhibitions. These are hosted online and in person, maybe there is something of interest for you?

Explore All Events Here

Where you can find our RPS Volunteers

Red lit darkroom
CREDIT: Francisco Gonzalez On Unsplash

RPS Groups

All members are welcome to join any of our 15 amazing Special Interest Groups, these concentrate more closely on particular areas of photography and imaging.

Those SIGs can really enhance your membership, as they offer support in all types of ways; for your photography, new friendship and activities in your field of interest. 

 

Explore Our Groups
CREDIT: Janina Pilch

RPS Regions

When becoming a member of the RPS your Postcode defines what Region you belong to and become a part of.

The RPS has 16 Regional Hubs across England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Led by fantastic teams of volunteers, they are an opportunity to join local photographers, events and activities.

 

Explore Our Regions
Window In The Sky By Loretta Yat Wong ARPS Hong Kong
CREDIT: Loretta Yat Wong ARPS

RPS Chapters

The RPS has a world-wide community of Photographers. Our fabulous Chapters offer events and activities to our international members and enhance the society with their cultural input. 

The longest-running RPS International Chapter is the Australian Chapter, this was established in 1986!

 

 

Explore Our Chapters
CREDIT: Zach Knott Photo

RPS Trustees

The Board of Trustees is chaired by the President, they are responsible for the governance that ensures the RPS fulfil it's charitable objectives. The Board supports the Senior Leadership Team, the staff and the volunteers, in the delivery of the RPS strategic plan.

Our trustee elections are now open, have your vote here

 

Explore Our Trustees
Hazel Frost And Andy Moore
CREDIT: Simon Vercoe LRPS

RPS Distinctions

The RPS offers qualifications, Distinctions and certificated courses to cater for every photographic experience level. All RPS panel members are volunteers and the heart and soul of the Distinctions programme.

Get to know the LRPS Panel Members here, and the ARPS and FRPS Panel Members here

 

 

Explore Our Distinctions
IMG 4255
CREDIT: Zach Knott Photo

RPS Opportunities

There are a variety of Opportunities within the RPS that you can engage with. 

Volunteering, Awards and Bursaries are just to name a few of them. Find out more below. 

 

 

 

Explore Our Opportunities

Meet Our Volunteers

2023 Pelt Photo Festival RPS Benelux Jury Member Carol © Carol Olerud FRPS

Meet Carol

Name: Carol Olerud FRPS

Volunteer Role: Benelux Chapter Organiser

Why do you volunteer for the RPS? 

That’s a good question. I like being part of a community of English speakers who have the same interest – photography. I love photography, I enjoy organising events, meetings, workshops and the activities we do. Hosting Zoom sessions goes very well, I like to talk to people, ask questions and give them a platform to share any photo projects, or distinctions they are working towards. I like to have fun and photography is a great way to express yourself, be it artistically, story-telling, aesthetically or whatever. Learning from each other and helping and encouraging people in their photography journey. I gained my Associate in 2018 and my Fellowship in 2021, giving back to the Benelux Chapter and the RPS makes me happy.

North Meeting

Meet Patricia

Name: Patricia A Ruddle ARPS

Volunteer role: Contemporary Group - North Local Organiser 

Why do you volunteer for the RPS? 

I cannot remember when I wasn’t a member of the RPS, supporting various volunteer positions. Why volunteer? Firstly, I have an immense appreciation of the Society which has existed for more than a century, and its position in the photographic world. I suggest that its original aims of promoting the art and science continue to be important.  I don’t belong to any other photographic group which means that I depend on the RPS and the various talks, events, Regions, and SIGs to provide me with everything photographic.

At the moment I organise Contemporary North on behalf of the Contemporary Group. My aim is to support my fellow members, which in turn gives me the enormous advantage of seeing, learning, developing my own practice.

Justin

Meet Justin

Name: Justin Cliffe APRS

Volunteer Role: Travel Group Treasurer

Why do you volunteer for the RPS? 

Being part of a group who share my interest in travel and photography and, to the extent that I’m able, to contribute to the RPS’ activities, having benefitted from them in the past. The group was looking for a Treasurer and, having previous experience of being a Treasurer with another SIG, I was able to fill this position. As I’m retired, I wanted to “give something back” to an organisation I want to support.

Janet

Meet Janet and the DIG Committee

Name: Janet Haines ARPS

Volunteer Role: Digital Imaging Group Chair

Why do you volunteer for the RPS? 

I enjoy working with a team of highly skilled, enthusiastic, lovely individuals to deliver products and services for member benefit. It keeps me active and engaged with society.

Meet the whole DIG-Committee
Outing Image

Meet Ann

Name: Ann Miles FRPS

Volunteer role: Nature Group Programme Co-ordinator

Why do you volunteer for the RPS? 

I like to meet new people, who care about the environment and have a passion for photography, and to share with them my knowledge and enthusiasm for Natural History. It is particularly rewarding when participants who might arrive on a field trip with many worries and problems both physical and mental, unwind and find new energy and enthusiasm sharing our exploration of the natural world with our cameras. We have all, I am sure, made lots of new friends through the Nature Group and some of the thank you emails are reward enough for the efforts.

Selfportrait

Meet Katherine

Name: Katherine Maguire ARPS

Volunteer Role: Benelux Chapter Web Editor

Why do you volunteer for the RPS? 

Since I stopped working due to long term illness, volunteering for the RPS Benelux Chapter has helped me fill part of the gap that developed,  As a former software engineer I had the skills that could be used to help the Chapter and I was able to do that for Pelt weekend / Mindful photography workshop in September 2023, as both webmaster and eJournal editor. 

Posting pre- and post-event, the details on website and in eJournal has made me feel useful again.  Volunteering has also allowed me to express my creative side, posting attendee’s images to website gallery and with the provided text and 2 photos of the ugly object and colour assignments, an article for the eJournal.  For me it is important for my mental health that I am to keep busy and volunteering for the Chapter helps me with that.

Find the eJournal here
John

Meet John

Name: John Speller

Volunteer Role: Travel Group Secretary

Why do you volunteer for the RPS? 

I recognise that the majority of the activities of the RPS are organised by volunteers throughout the country and would not happen in the absence of volunteer input. I am happy to contribute in whatever way is required, and have the time to bring those activities to a successful outcome.