About us
WELCOME to the Southeastern Photographic Society Meetup page.
Click here to go to the SPS website where you will find everything you need to know about us.
Click here to join or renew your SPS membership. Note: Signing up on the SPS Meetup page does not make you an SPS member. SPS members pay dues to engage in many activities that are unavailable to guests who simply sign up on the SPS MeetUp page.
The Southeastern Photographic Society (SPS) is a registered non-profit Atlanta-based community of photographers established in 1976 to help members learn the skills for creating great images and sharing them with others.
We use Meetup to announce all of our events, so please look below to see what is coming up.
Thanks for visiting us here on Meetup.
Upcoming events
5

Photographing Fur: Dog Photography in Natural Light - with Courtney Bryson
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, 2650 N Druid Hills Rd, Atlanta, GA, USPlease join us for our February meeting featuring accomplished photographer Courtney Bryson and enter our print image competition, “FINS, FEATHERS OR FUR" (more information below.)
In this program, Atlanta dog & equine photographer Courtney Bryson breaks down a repeatable, simple approach to creating polished dog portraits using natural light. You’ll learn how she evaluates light, chooses locations that simplify backgrounds, uses composition tools (leading lines, framing, negative space, and direction of gaze) to make the dog the clear hero of the frame, and processes the final images in Lightroom and Photoshop. Courtney will also share practical starting points for camera settings (including her shutter-speed-first philosophy) and explain how reading canine body language helps you work faster, keep dogs comfortable, and capture more authentic expressions.
Courtney Bryson is the photographer behind CM Bryson Photography. She specializes in museum-quality dog and equine portraiture, designing large-scale wall art installations and custom albums for her Georgia-based clients. Her work blends technical consistency with a calm, animal-first approach rooted in comfort, communication, and patience. Courtney also co-founded a nonprofit rescue focused on medically fragile brachycephalic breeds, and she brings that deep respect for animal behavior and well-being into every session. Her photography raises tens of thousands of dollars annually for animal rescue organizations.
To see her work and learn more about Courtney, visit:
www.cmbryson.comPlease note:
- This month’s meeting will be at our regular meeting location, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta at 2650 N. Druid Hills Road NE, Atlanta.
- Entries are limited to TWO mounted prints per paid member – one color and one Black and White.
- Please BRING YOUR PRINTS to the meeting on an appropriate rigid backing surface. (No frames!) See competition rules for more information.
- The competition will be judged from the printed image during the meeting.
- We are requesting/encouraging members to please submit a digital file of their printed image by the meeting time for display on the SPS website.
- The digital version of the printed image is to be sized appropriately; files are to be re-named using the SPS naming convention:
- Firstname Lastname – Image Title
- Digital images are to be uploaded to the links below:
- Black & White images: SPS Black & White Monthly Submissions
- Color images: SPS Color Monthly Submissions
All are welcome to attend the presentation.
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SPS has three standing meetings each month for its members and guests. The First Friday meeting features a guest speaker and a members’ image competition. While competition entries at these monthly meetings are restricted to current dues-paying members, we ALWAYS welcome visitors interested in photography to attend. The Learnshops (Fourth Tuesdays) and Coffee & Critique (Second Saturdays) are intended for members, but again, we welcome visitors. If you attend regularly, we ask that you help support the club (which pays for the rental of the facilities, supplies and equipment) by becoming a member!Signing up on the SPS Meetup page does not make you an SPS member. SPS members pay dues to engage in many activities that are unavailable to guests who only sign up on the SPS MeetUp.
To find out more about SPS, visit:
www.spsatlanta.org
To become a member, visit:
https://form.jotform.com/spsatlanta/club-membership-registration-form44 attendees
Coffee & Critique - Digital Edition (PLEASE NOTE NEW SUBMISSION EMAIL)
·OnlineOnlinePlease join us for our February Coffee & Critique, which will be a “digital edition” conducted on Zoom. AND NOTE BELOW NEW SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR WHERE TO SEND YOUR IMAGES!
For newcomers — we meet every month to share images and provide constructive feedback to each other on how to improve our photography. We alternate each month between online digital and in-person print critiques, and the meetings are for beginners and seasoned photographers alike.
For digital months, it is very important if you are not a dues paying member, that you RSVP on the MeetUp site because we need it to send you a link to join the meeting. All dues paying members will be sent the link without the RSVP. The link will be sent out the day before the meeting.
For digital C&C’s, participants may submit up to TWO images each for feedback. (A “before” and “after” pair of images will only count as one submission for those who want to “show their work.”) Please size your images as you would for an SPS competition — see instructions here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F0xzqEXvRfPl4T48zNbbasDSZ4beaOEU/view
Even if you don’t submit images, though, we encourage you to join and participate in the MeetUp. Our experience is that the critiques are a valuable learning experience even for folks who don’t submit images.
We have a new digital submission email address. Submissions should now be emailed to CC@spsatlanta.org no later than 9:00 pm on the Thursday before the meeting. Please put “C&C” or “critique” in the subject line. We will acknowledge receipt of submissions, so if you don’t hear back from him, it means he didn’t get your images.
Your images should be titled with your name and a number showing the sequence of the submissions — e.g., JaneDoe1, JaneDoe2 — with the number reflecting the order in which your images will be shown. We generally show the final image first, and then show the "before" version, so if you don't want it in that order, please let us know.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to email David Cruickshanks at CC@spsatlanta.org.
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SPS has three standing meetings each month for its members and guests. The First Friday meeting features an outside speaker and a competition. While competition entries at these monthly meetings are restricted to currently paid-up members, we ALWAYS welcome visitors interested in photography to attend. The Learnshops (fourth Tuesdays) and Coffee & Critique (second Saturdays) are intended for members, but again, we welcome visitors. If you attend regularly, we ask that you help support the club (which pays for the rental of the facilities, supplies, and equipment) by becoming a member!To pay your SPS dues, visit:
join.spsatlanta.orgTo find out more about SPS visit:
spsatlanta.org***
LIABILITY NOTICE: By signing up and attending a Meetup sponsored by the Southeastern Photographic Society, I acknowledge that these activities can be hazardous and that I could be injured or my property damaged. I agree that I am voluntarily participating in these activities and assume any risk of physical injury or damage to my property.
20 attendees
Stone Mountain Sunset Stroll
Stone Mountain Park Walk-up Trail, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA, US*This field trip is weather dependent
What: Twice a year, from the perspective of the top of Stone Mountain, the sun sets behind the downtown Atlanta cityscape. This year, based on The Photographer's Ephmeris (https://app.photoephemeris.com/) an optimum date to view and photograph this juxtaposition will be 2/21/2026. Sunset that day will be at 6:26pm.
When: Our field trip is currently scheduled for February 21, 2026, but rain or heavy clouds in the west may force a schedule change. Because of the unpredictably of the weather, we often discover the actual conditions only once we reach the top. Should a change in date become necessary, we will post any revisions here and through the jot form sign up list. To join the group hike please meet at the bathroom at the trailhead at 5pm
Where: For those of you who want to hike up with the group, meet at the bathrooms at the beginning of the trail, https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fvq5fVGisLEVcYDj9
We'll plan to start the hike up promptly at 5pm. (Sunset on this day is 6:26pm) It can be a bit strenuous so please bring water. We usually stop briefly part way up for a rest.
*See below for additional information about reaching the summitWhat to bring: You'll need a tripod, cable release, long lens (minimum 200mm). Bring a flashlight for walking down in the dark. It will be cold up there! (It is always windy so it will be colder than at the base - dress accordingly!) It can be surprisingly cold at the summit so plan for the weather. Also, bring water.
Additional Notes:
Note also that the 7 days prior and 7 days after 2/21/26 will also yield interesting photos if the skies are suitable.*There are two ways to the top of Stone Mountain:
- As a group, we generally take the 30-45 minute hike to the summit. It can be a little strenuous, so allow enough time to take it slow and rest as necessary.
- OR, you can possibly take the Summit Skyride (http://www.stonemountainpark.com/activities/attractions/Summit-Skyride). There is a fee for this and it may close before sunset, so if you do plan to take the Summit Skyride to the top, you may still have to hike down. If you plan to take the Summit Skyride up, let’s talk because we may need to shuttle you back to your car. Contact the Summit Skyride to check on their schedule and be aware that the Skyride may close before sunset.
This event is open to SPS members only. Signing up on the SPS Meetup page does not make you an SPS member. SPS members pay dues to engage in many activities that are unavailable to guests who simply sign up on the SPS MeetUp page.
HOW TO REGISTER:
USE THIS LINK TO REGISTERDo not use the button at the bottom of this page to register. Register at the link above.
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Southeastern Photographic Society (SPS) has three standing meetings each month for its members and guests.
The First Friday Program and Competition features an outside speaker and a members' image competition. While competition entries at these monthly meetings are restricted to currently paid-up members, we ALWAYS welcome visitors interested in photography to attend.
The Learnshops (fourth Tuesdays) and Coffee & Critique (second Saturdays) are intended for members, but again, we welcome visitors.
If you attend regularly, we ask that you help support the club (which pays for the rental of the facilities, supplies, and equipment) by becoming a member!
To pay your SPS dues, visit:
https://form.jotform.com/spsatlanta/club-membership-registration-form
To find out more about SPS visit:
www.spsatlanta.org13 attendees
Bring Your Camera for a Night of Table Top Photography!
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, 2650 N. Druid Hills Road NE Atlanta, GA 30329, Atlanta, GA, USJoin us this month and explore the many photographic possibilities offered by table top photography! SPS member Roger Easley will present a brief overview of table top photography, and then a team of SPS photographers will be your guides through a series of interesting table top subjects where you can try your hand at creating your own unique images. We will provide the props, backdrops and lights, so you just need to bring your camera and lenses (macro or anything that focuses relatively close). While not necessary, feel free to bring a tripod, a cable release and a flash. And if you’re just using your phone’s camera, that’s okay too. We want to emphasize that this is a hands-on Learnshop, so come ready to shoot and get your creative juices flowing!
Please note:
This month's meeting will be IN-PERSON.***
SPS has three standing meetings each month for its members and guests. The First Friday meeting features an outside speaker and a members’ image competition. While competition entries at these monthly meetings are restricted to currently paid-up members, we ALWAYS welcome visitors interested in photography to attend. The Learnshops (fourth Tuesdays) and Coffee & Critique (second Saturdays) are intended for members, but again, we welcome visitors. If you attend regularly, we ask that you help support the club (which pays for the rental of the facilities, supplies, and equipment) by becoming a member!
Signing up on the SPS Meetup page does not make you an SPS member. SPS members pay dues to engage in many activities that are unavailable to guests who only sign up on the SPS MeetUp.
To find out more about SPS visit:
www.spsatlanta.org
To become a member, visit:
www.join.spsatlanta.org19 attendees
Past events
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