CLAREMONT, N.H. — The Claremont MakerSpace is excited to announce the launch of a Photography Club as a new focus area for the organization. With winter Artist in Residence (AiR) photographer Jeff Dietrich leading the effort, CMS members with varied backgrounds in photography are coming together to shape the new club.
“I was so energized by our first photography open meet-up. The ideas that emerged from just half an hour of open brainstorming were enough to feed us for seasons: photo walks, gear swaps, technical workshops, community shows,” said Dietrich. “Photography often feels like a solitary process, and I do love the peace I get from being out in the world making photos, but we all have so much to share with each other!”
A Meet the Artist event was held in February and attracted a number of members with a photography background to engage with Jeff, see his prior work, and learn about his residency plans. The members’ expertise covered many areas of photography including portrait, landscape, motorsports, software and even astrophotography. “The world of photography and this region is filled with creative, inspiring, talented people. Our photos, tips & tricks, workflows, even our frustrations… everything is enriched by working together, and I’m excited that we’re developing that community here,” said Dietrich.
The Club plans to meet regularly to share knowledge and practice our craft; starting with photo critique session on March 24, open to all photographers.
“Critique is an important ritual and a chance for us all to support each other,” said Dietrich.
Register via the CMS website.
During his residency, Jeff will be making his digital collection physical — playing with wood/metal/textile materiality, digital fabrication, and manipulation of the prints themselves — to create a second layer of meaning and connection for the photographs beyond traditional frame-and-mat presentations. He has already been in the wood shop and taken several classes to begin the process of creating unique frames. Jeff is also teaching photography classes with the first workshop starting March 12: “Making Photographs: From Camera to Prints.” This two-session class, where students will get to take home two fine art prints of their photos, is open for registration on the CMS website.
Fittingly, this new focus area comes at a time when there is a growing local demand for photography skills.
“Two local businesses reached out to CMS in the last week about hiring a photographer for their product shoots”, said Felicia Dalke, executive director of CMS.
There are many types of area photographers, but businesses may not know who best to contact. CMS uses a job board to connect artisans/makers with work opportunities and invites area photographers to drop off a business card or flyer to post on the board and maybe get involved with the club.
TwinState MakerSpaces, Inc. is the parent company of the Claremont MakerSpace, and it is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. The 2025 Artist in Residence Program is supported in part by the NH State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information about the Claremont MakerSpace or to schedule a tour, please visit claremontmakerspace.org. The Claremont MakerSpace is located at 46 Main Street in Claremont, New Hampshire.
