What we’re about
Welcome to the Fresh Start Photography group!
If you enjoy meeting with other photographers to discuss, learn and actively engage in honing your skills as a photographer, this is the group for you! Whether you are just starting out or have been photographing for years, there is always something new to learn and photograph. We offer formal presentations and/or critiques every 3rd Thursday of each month at the Salem Church Library from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, unless otherwise noted in our meetings. We also schedule regular meetups to practice photography in local and out of town settings such as gardens, events, parks and more. Come join us!
Check out our events & meetings here:
https://www.meetup.com/fresh-start-photography-group/events/
3rd Annual Salem Church Library Exhibit Info
August 4, 2025 through September 1, 2025
Our photographers have displayed some of their best photos just for you! If you are interested in purchasing one or more of our pieces (and that piece has been listed for sale on the label associated with the photo), please email us at:
- freshstartphotographygroup@gmail.com -
Please include the Photo Title and Photographer of the photo(s) you'd like to purchase. We will contact the photographer(s) for you, and he or she will email you with payment instructions, as well as when you will be able to pick up your photo(s). Please note that all photographs will not be available for pick up until after the show.
You can also use the QR code associated with the photo to learn more. This may include additional photos from this artist. Just use your phone's camera to access the link and visit the photographer online.
Please let us know if you have any questions by emailing us at:
- freshstartphotographygroup@gmail.com -
Thanks for stopping by, and we hope to see you at our next monthly meeting!
Upcoming events
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Dark Hollow Falls Shenandoah National Park
Fishers Gap Overlook, Mile Post 49.5 Skyline Drive, Syria, VA, USDark Hollow Falls Photography via Fishers Gap Overlook Parking Area. Hone your winter weather hiking and waterfall photography skills at Shenandoah National Park's Dark Hollow Falls (67 ft.). Explore the Rose River Fire Road trail hike down to the waterfalls. Photographing winter foliage, fauna and hopefully ice covered waterfalls and landscapes.
Our mission: To hike down to the waterfalls to create stunning or novel photographs of waterfalls and landscapes following the Hogcamp Branch (the creek that feeds the waterfalls). Think pathways with tree canopy spotlighting the creek and stone and moss in specific places to accentuate your focus, or an illuminated water swirl/pond or dark greenery in the background.
What you need to know before you go!
We will have a brief discussion before we photograph to review settings and recommended techniques for current conditions.
What to Bring:
- Dress for the cold weather, e.g., boots, gloves, warm clothes, etc.
- Pack snacks, thermos for hot liquids, e.g., hot chocolate, sit pad, and hand warmers.
- Mid Range Lens (like a 24mm-120mm) for landscape shots and telephoto lens (link 100mm-400mm) for more intiment shots or for shooting higher up on the falls.
- Tripod if you want to create long exposures and focus stacking images.
Time line and Event Schedule:
1000 Arrive at the Fishers Gap Overlook Parking area (MP 49.5 on the Skyline Drive).
1045 Probably take about 45 minutes to hike 1.2 miles down to the falls
1215 Spend about 1.5 hours photographing the falls and immediate area
1315 Probably take about 60 minutes hiking back up to the parking area (going up hill ~341’)
1330 Depart Fisher’s Gap Overlook Parking area.
When you are ready to leave, feel free leave the event, but please remember to share your pics on meetup! We would love to see them!
Byrd Visitor Center and restroom (MP 51) is open year around 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Follow the link for specific details:
https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm
Park admission prices vary, so please refer to the following link for details: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/fees.htm.
To view a map of the area, click the following: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/BigMeadows_RoadTrail.pdf.
Road conditions and other Shenandoah National Park Alerts may be found at https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/conditions.htm. We'll reschedule should there be inclement weather.
Please let me know if you have any questions at the Comments section below, and hope to see you at the Fishers Gap Overlook Parking area Dark Hollow Falls at 10 am!
Please read our disclaimer for this event in the link below. By sending an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Fresh Start photography Meetup, I agree to abide by the rules and regulations in this disclaimer:
Disclaimer Statement4 attendees
Formal Critique - Kim Willits
Salem Church Library, 2607 Salem Church Rd, Fredericksburg, VA, USOur Quarterly Critique is a friendly but helpful critique (see Guidelines for Critiques link below).
Please add up to four images to the photos section of this meeting. Members need time to review your photos prior to the critique, so please ensure that you upload at least 7 days prior to this meeting date. It's not mandatory that you supply photos to attend, but it's more productive when everyone participates.
Please follow the guidelines & instructions below for uploading photos:
Guidelines for Uploading Photos
For suggested Critique Elements:
Guidelines for Critiques
We hope that our speakers expand or refresh your knowledge of photography. It's not the destination but the journey that challenges the mind and soul.
See you there...
The leadership team.3 attendees
Past events
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