Monthly Newsletter

Year End Celebration

Hello BPG family, our annual party is just over 4 weeks away.

  • Tuesday night, December 2, 2025
  • Carrabba’s in Green Hills, 2110 Green Hills Village Dr, Nashville, TN 37215.
  • Doors will open 5:30 (or earlier), dinner will begin at 6:00pm and our program will begin at 7:00pm lasting until no later than 8:00pm. 

Join us for a fun evening to Celebrate another successful year and fellowship with the Brentwood Photography Group family. There will be a raffle, silent auction, games, and a delicious Italian Feast provided by Carrabba’s for only $25. The menu will vary slightly from last year and is suitable for vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free dietary restrictions. This year, seating will be in the main dining area.

We have already received several contributions from Lens Rental, Red River Paper, Kelby One, Anthony Morganti Photoshop course, ON1 software, Jim Nix Luminar course, Opryland tickets and more. Please consider donating more items to help us create an engaging and enjoyable auction. Contact Rick Wise for your donations at richardlwise@gmail.com

Registration Link:  https://bpg.wildapricot.org/event-6376105/Registration

Event Link: https://bpg.wildapricot.org/event-6376105

If you have any problems registering for this event, please contact Bert Laws at president@brentwoodphotographygroup.org or myself.

PhotoShop virtual Summit

The Photoshop Virtual Summit 7, November 3 – 7, 2025.

For five action-packed days, you’ll learn from 24 of the world’s top Photoshop educators—a dream team of best-selling authors, Adobe MAX Masters, Adobe Certified Instructors, and Photoshop Hall of Famers. And we’ve got special sessions from Adobe legends Julieanne Kost and Terry White!

Every session is carefully designed to help you level up your Photoshop skills—whether you are a beginner finding your way or a seasoned pro looking to push boundaries. This isn’t theory or fluff—our instructors will be delivering practical, real-world techniques you can start using immediately in your own projects.

And the best part? There are two ways to join in:

  • Free Pass – Watch every class for a limited time at no cost.
  • VIP Pass – Get lifetime access, plus exclusive bonuses for just $99 during our Early Bird Sale.
    The Photoshop Virtual Summit has become the online learning event for Photoshop users around the world—and this year promises to be our best yet.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, be inspired, and connect with a global community of creatives.

https://www.pssummit.com/?r_done=1

BPG Store

 

Introducing the BPG Online Store. Show your support for BPG by purchasing our very own branded “merch”!

  • Mug
  • Tote bag 
  • Baseball cap
  • Insulated tumbler
  • Unisex T-shirt
  • Women’s T-shirt

All products are made and delivered by Zazzle; they will handle any customer service issues too. BPG will receive royalties on all products sold which we will put towards Group expenses.

BPG Store – Brentwood Photography Group

Monthly Calendar

Meet your 2025 Board Members

Bert Laws President

 

President – Bert Laws

Treasurer – Rick Wise

Assistant Treasurer – Martin Cregg

Secretary – Diane Burgett

Assistant Secretary – Marjorie Pess

Webmaster – Martin Cregg

Outings – Lyra Hankins

Photo of the Month – Elizabeth Stead

AV – Tom Welch

Communications – John Mott

Main Meeing

Main Meeting – Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Otter Creek Church
409 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027
6:30PM – 8:00PM
(Networking and Photo of the Month competition: 6:00 – 6:30 PM)

Speaker: Byron Jorjorian
Topic: Creative Composition In The Moment

Fine art photographer Byron Jorjorian has been capturing the natural world for over 40 years. He is considered by many to be one of the nation’s premier fine art nature photographers. With over 600,000 images in his files, his photographs have appeared on nationally published greeting cards, magazines, posters, murals, fine art prints, books, brochures and advertising. Byron has had over 12,000 images published and has had over 26,000 fine art prints installed all over the United States and around the world, working closely with interior design and art consultant teams on a daily basis.

Byron Jorjorian
Outing
November Outing – Historic Houses, Castalian Springs, TN 
Saturday, November 15, 2025
 
Meeting Time:  9:30 am for Cragfont interior tour starting at 10
Meeting Place:   Cragfont – 200 Cragfont Rd., Castalian Springs, TN 
Tour will continue at Wynnewood after lunch – 210 Old Hwy 25, Castalian Springs, TN 
 
Optional Group Lunch: El Rey Azteca 300 E Main St, Gallatin, TN https://elreyaztecagallatin.com/
 
Historic sites from Tennessee’s frontier times. Photograph high end period interiors and interesting (and very different) exteriors. Perhaps we will have some fall color?
 
Cragfont:
General James Winchester’s grand frontier home, Cragfont is located on the original road from Knoxville and the East coast. 33 year old James arrived in 1785 and quickly established a fort on land given for his service in the American Revolution. By 1802, Winchester built his home Cragfont, occupied by his growing family and the enslaved community until 1863. Following the Civil War, the remaining family members sold the home and in 1957, it became a state historic site.
 
Wynnewood:
Wynnewood includes the largest historic log structure in Tennessee. Built in 1828 by the Wynne family, the structure served as the Castalian Springs Resort for stagecoach travelers and tourists interested in the sulphur mineral springs and their reported medicinal powers, located at the base of the hill. The property came to Mrs. Almira Wynne as a bequest from her father, General James Winchester of nearby Cragfont. The Civil War ended the resort’s operations, until a resurgence in 1899. The site is currently owned by the Tennessee Historical Commission.
 
Hours – Houses are open 9:30-4:30
 
Grab some foliage photos nearby? – Bledsoe’s Fort Historical Park ( https://www.bledsoesfort.org/)
Map of Bledsoe’s Park https://www.bledsoesfort.org/the-park
 
Getting there:  Approx an hour from Otter Creek Church (~47 mi)
Tickets: Combination ticket for guided tours at Cragfont and Wynnewood – $16
Free parking
 
Don’t forget to complete the online Hold Harmless Agreement (https://form.jotform.com/233284043176050)
Lunch Bunch
Lunch Bunch

Lunch Bunch – Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Optional lunch at KOI after.

Williamson County Public Library, 1314 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 37064, 11:30-12:30.

Lunch Bunch is a monthly lunch meeting, led by Dick Dougall, with the focus on members getting to know each other and having constructive critiques and discussions about their images

Please email Dick Dougall at dickdougall@gmail.com if you plan to attend.

A reminder that we will be looking to collect a total of 15 framed images for display at the library during month of December. 

Mini Clinic

Mini Clinic – Thursday, November 20, 2025

More info to come

Looking for Inspiration?

Check out our member websites
If you would like your art to be added to the list, send your web / SmugMug information to secretary@brentwoodphotographygroup.org

2025 Photo Of The Month Themes

2025 Photo Of The Month Contest (6:00 – 6:30 PM)

Photo of the Month contest images are hung between 6:00-6:30 prior to the main meeting. This is an opportunity for you to compare your work with that of others, as you perhaps think about entering our outside exhibits. It’s good training, and by compelling you to focus on specific themes you learn and grow in your photography. A Board member will be at the display to answer questions and encourage participation.

2025 POTM THEMES

Resizing And Uploading Images

  • Resize your image to 2000 pixels along the longest edge.
  • Down sample your image so it is less than 1MB.
  • Save images in .jpg format.

Need Help Resizing Your Images?

Directions for resizing your images can be found on the BPG web site by clicking here.

Or you can review the November 2021 Mini-Clinic YouTube video
Export using Capture 1, fast forward to the 24:00 minute.
Export using Light Room, fast forward to the 27:35 minute.
Export using ON1, fast forward to 35:15 minute.
Export using Photo shop, fast forward to 42:10 minute.

Gallery Wall

If you would like to display your images without submitting into the POTM competition we have a Gallery Wall.  This is an opportunity to share your work in a format that isn’t competitive.  We’ll use one side of the POTM displays and the table used for other displays, if necessary.  You will get 1 President’s Cup point for participating.  If you also enter images in the POTM, you will not receive an additional participation point for participating in both.

Note: 

  • For Gallery Wall only, prints can be a maximum 13″ x 19″
  • POTM prints must be no larger than 8.5″ x 12″
Gallery Example
What's Happening Around Town
  • Cheekwood El Día de los Muertos 
    November 1, 2025 – November 2, 2025 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Cheekwood Holiday LIGHTS
    November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026
    4:30 pm – 10:00 pm
    Member Pre-sale September 30
    General Public October 14
  • Nashville Zoolumination
    November 13, 2025 – January 4, 2026
    January 8, 2026 – February 8, 2026
    Tickets go on sale September 17th
  • Frist Art Museum
    Paul McCartney Photographs 1963–1964: Eyes of the Storm
    Nov 7, 2025–Jan 26, 2026
  • Franklin TN 
    Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – December 5, 2025
    Christmas Parade – December 6, 2025
    Dickens of a Christmas – December 13- 14, 2025
Imaging USA

Imaging USA is back in Nashville!
Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center
2800 Opryland Dr, Nashville, TN 37214
https://imagingusa.com/

General Sessions run January 11-13, 2026, and are included with your All-Access Pass.
Pre-Convention Classes and Workshops are held on January 8–10 for an additional fee.
Program and schedule are subject to changes, additions, or cancellations without advance notice.

Why Attend the Imaging USA Expo?

  • Massive Photo Gear Expo – Browse the latest cameras, lenses, lighting equipment, and accessories from top photography vendors and manufacturers.
  • Live Photography Demos & Camera Demonstrations – Get hands-on experience with the newest technology and techniques through interactive demos and real-time gear showcases.
  • Imaging USA Show Specials – Take advantage of exclusive discounts and promotions available only at the expo.
  • Photography Networking That Matters – Meet like-minded creatives, educators, and industry leaders. Whether you’re looking to grow your business or collaborate on your next big project, the Imaging USA Expo fosters real connections.
  • 130+ Imaging USA Exhibitors – Explore the full photography ecosystem—from gear to software to printing solutions—and discover tools that help you elevate your craft.

Get Your Free Expo Pass – Want in on the action without attending the full conference? Claim your FREE Expo Plus Pass and enjoy full access to the Imaging USA trade show floor, networking events, photo gear expo, and live photography demonstrations.

Trade Show Hours
Sunday, Jan 11 …………………………………………. 11:30am – 5:00pm
Monday, Jan 12 ………………………………………… 11:30am – 5:00pm
Tuesday, Jan. 13……………………………………….. 11:30am – 3:30pm

Cheekwood Membership Benefits

Your Cheekwood membership is accepted at 330+ Botanical Gardens, Arboreta, Conservatories Nationwide, and over 60 Museums in the Southeast

Here are a few gardens within a 4 hour drive from Nashville.

Web Address & City