Monthly Meetings
6:00 – 8:00 PM
(Networking and Photo of the Month competition: 6:00 – 6:30 PM)
2026 Speaker Lineup
Our 2026 program is really taking shape and will continue to offer a mix of professional insight, creative inspiration, and practical learning.
BPG Board; Images that Inspires
January 6th
Caleb McKenney; From Swamps to the Smokies: Composition and Planning
February 3rd
Megan Veldman; Photographing the Predators and General Sports Photography
March 3rd
Tom Ress; Bird Photography from Wheeler Wildlife Refuge
April 7th
Jerry Atnip; Behind the Scenes – Secrets, Backstories and Struggles
May 5th
Sam Simkins; The Life of a Photographer on a University Campus
June 2nd
Chris Baker; Huntsville Camera Club
July 7th
Nathan Collie; Photographing Birds and Wildlife
August 4th
Infrared Photography
Chris Baker
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Chris’s photography habit started over 15 years ago with a basic Panasonic point and shoot camera. He quickly outgrew its limitations and is now fully invested in a full frame Nikon mirrorless setup. He loves to experiment with all genres of photography with a focus on nature and wildlife. Chris has been a member of the Huntsville Photographic Society since 2018 and is now serving as the President. He loves to teach and share his knowledge with anyone interested in learning. Chris supports his photography habit working as an engineer on the Artemis Program for NASA at Marshall Space Flight Center where he has enjoyed a 29-year career.
Infrared photography is a specialized genre that involves capturing images using the normally-invisible infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Traditionally used in landscapes, IR photos are characterized by their deep contrasty look because of how foliage and vegetation reflect IR light appearing very bright compared to water and sky that absorb IR light appearing very dark. Contrary to popular belief, a specially modified digital camera is not necessary to get started in IR photography. Anyone can experiment using a simple IR filter attached to the end of a lens, which is how Chris’s IR journey began in 2021. Since then, he’s learned a great deal about filters, camera bodies, lenses, and post-processing and will present his lessons learned to help those interested get their start in this fascinating genre.
In 2023, Chris’s infrared photos were recognized by Nikon and featured in an article on the Nikon Creators website: https://nikoncreators.com/2023/02/15/photographing-nature-on-a-different-wavelength/
Samples of Chris’s infrared work can be found on his website: https://cscottphoto.smugmug.com/Artwork/Infrared
Images by Chris Baker
Monthly Meeting Overview
The Brentwood Photography Group meets at Otter Creek Church in Brentwood on the first Tuesday of each month from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Networking and the Photo of the Month competition begin at 6:00 PM, with the main program starting at 6:30 PM.
Our monthly meetings bring photographers together to learn, connect, and be inspired. Each meeting features a guest speaker who shares insights, techniques, and real-world experience across a wide range of photographic styles.
Guests are welcome – if you’re curious about BPG, we’d love to have you join us and see what we’re about. Feel free to Contact us with any questions.
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The Life of a Photographer on a University Campus
Sam Simpkins
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Nashville native and Belmont University photographer Sam Simpkins will be our featured presenter for the June 2 Monthly Meeting. Sam’s journey in photography began at Hillsboro High School before leading him to Montreat College, adventures photographing and traveling through Alaska and Colorado, and ultimately to Western Kentucky University, where he earned a degree in photojournalism. He spent 12 years as a photographer with The Tennessean covering news and features before joining Belmont University in 2016.
In this presentation, Sam will give us a behind-the-scenes look at life as a university photographer – from the energy and warmth of the Belmont community to the unforgettable moments that unfold across campus each day. He’ll share stories and images ranging from backstage celebrations after major athletic wins to quiet, meaningful moments between students, faculty, and campus life. Along the way, we’ll also get to experience the beauty of Belmont itself – both the people who bring the campus to life and the character of the university grounds through the eyes of a working photographer.
Images by Sam Simpkins
Behind the Scenes - Secrets, Backstories and Struggles
Jerry Atnip
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Jerry Atnip will be our featured speaker at our May meeting. Jerry will take us behind the scenes to learn the secrets, the backstories and the struggles behind some of his most popular images. He will reveal the shoots that didn’t work as pre-visualized and the circumstances that led to successful accidents. You will learn the motivations behind his poetic images created to share stories with the viewer.
Jerry has a 49-year career as a fine art and commercial photographer. He began as Partner and Creative Director of an ad agency in Nashville as well as Director of its photography department. His images have been published in 40 countries, and since 2003, he’s held over 75 exhibitions and been presented with over 90 awards. He is also a teacher, workshop director, curator, juror and frequent lecturer. He is on the boards of several Arts & Photography organizations, including Atlanta Celebrates Photography festival and Slow Exposures Photofestival. He was President of the Brentwood Photography Group for many years. His work has been collected by museums, corporate and private collectors and he is an Exhibiting Member of The National Arts Club in New York.
Images by Jerry Atnip
Bird Photography from Wheeler Wildlife Refuge
Tom Ress
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
We’ll take a look at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and the birds and other wildlife as well as best locations to photograph and give a brief look at other productive birding and photo spots in north Alabama. We’ll look at photos from other destinations around the world to give a little variety.
Tom Ress is a volunteer naturalist and birding guide at Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and serves as Vice President of the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association. An accomplished photographer and writer, he is the author of Images of America: Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and a frequent speaker on wildlife and travel. He has visited all seven continents, photographing birds and wildlife around the world.
Images by Tom Ress
Previous POTM Winners
