About GRIPS

Grand River Imaging &
Photographic Society

Known as GRIPS, we are a club for photographers of all levels and interests. 

During our meetings we welcome knowledgeable and experienced guest speakers, share ideas, and hold competitions.

GRIPS is proud to be a learning club. Topics of our meetings and workshops cover a broad range from basic to advanced photographic techniques, creative photography, photo editing, photo enhancements and presentation of works.

GRIPS offers workshops and outings, indoor and outdoor photo opportunities, in-club and inter-club competitions, all with lots of fun and fellowship.

The club is affiliated with the CAPA (Canadian Association for Photographic Art) and the OCCC (Ontario Council of Camera Clubs) also known as O3C.


Our Goals

Snow Monkey | Lynn Fulton

To foster and promote imaging making through the art of photography

To provide opportunities for the sharing of ideas, the improvement of individual photographic skills and to enjoy fellowship through photography as both a learning a social activity. We do this at social events, meetings, and through our website and other networks and social media.

To encourage membership participation in the many different kinds of club activities such as workshops and outings.

To promote and foster friendly relationships with other photographic clubs and like organizations, both locally, regionally, and nationally.

To promote our members’ photography to the best of our abilities through competitions and gallery showings.

History of GRIPS

In the fall of 2004 Joyce Brant, Wayne Waddington, Jeanne McElroy, Brant Danard and Ross McClelland, all photography enthusiasts, formed a committee with a goal of creating a new camera club in the Kitchener area. The club was named GRIPS (Grand River Imaging and Photographic Society), and it was decided that the mandate for this club would be to educate members in the art of photography.

Prior to forming GRIPS, the founders were involved with other organizations such as NAPA (National Association of Photographic Art), CAPA (Canadian Association of Photographic Art), PSA (Photographic Society of America), and GTCCC (Greater Toronto Council of Camera Clubs), as well as other area camera clubs, such as Galt Camera Club, Highland Glen Camera Club and Mississauga Camera Club.

Between January of 2005 and September of 2005, the founders met once a week to study and glean information from the constitutions of other successful clubs, especially in the GTCCC, Greater Toronto area. They also gathered information from other clubs on how to organize competitions and how to design an effective, educational program.

In September of 2005, GRIPS had its first meeting and then met twice a month in a donated facility, New Dawn Public School, Waterloo. The equipment used for these meetings belonged to the founders until enough funds were collected to purchase a second-hand laptop and a slide projector. The club began with 19 members and membership numbers have grown over the years.


2020 – 2021

Board Members

  • President: Adam Lauzon
  • Vice President: Craig Mellor
  • Secretary: Dana Wamsley
  • Treasurer: David Murray
  • Program Director: Tracey Sanderson
  • Competition Chair: Jonathan Sau
  • Workshop Chair: Martina Schneider
  • Outings Chair: Vacant
  • Membership: Marlene Coulter
2019 – 2020

Board Members

  • President: Adam Lauzon
  • Vice President: Craig Mellor
  • Secretary: Dana Wamsley
  • Treasurer: David Murray
  • Program Director: Anne Blanchard
  • Competition Chair: Jonathan Sau
  • Workshop Chair: Martina Schneider
  • Outings Chair: Geoff Obergan
  • Membership: Marlene Coulter
2018 – 2019

Board Members

  • President: Caroline Lajoie
  • Vice President: Adam Lauzon
  • Secretary: John Glass
  • Treasurer: David Murray
  • Program Director: Anne Blanchard
  • Competition Chair: Jonathan Sau
  • Outings Chair: Donna Bird/Geoff Obergan
  • Workshop Chair: Sandra Roemer
  • Membership Chair: Martina Schneider
2017 – 2018

Board Members

  • President Caroline Lajoie
  • Vice President: Lynn Fulton
  • Secretary: John Glass
  • Treasurer: David Murray
  • Program Director: Rick Hutfloetz/Anne Blanchard
  • Competition Chair: Adam Lauzon
  • Workshop Chair: Sandra Roemer
  • Outing Chair: Gail Newland
  • Membership: Martina Schneider
2016 – 2017

Board Members

  • President: Thelma Kessel
  • Vice President: Michael Beattie
  • Secretary: John Glass
  • Treasurer: Jeff Dawkins
  • Program Director: Rick Hutfloetz
  • Competition Chair: Adam Lauzon
  • Outing Chair: Sajib Paul
  • Workshop Chair: Ted Dixon
  • Membership: Julie Seiler/Martina Schneider
2015 – 2016

Board Members

  • President: Thom Bree/Thelma Kessel
  • Vice President: Michael Beattie
  • Secretary: John Glass
  • Treasurer: Jeff Dawkins
  • Program Director: Meghan Bree
  • Competition Chair: Caroline Lajoie
  • Outings Chair: Sajib Paul
  • Workshop Chair: Ted Dixon
  • Membership: Julie Seiler
2014 – 2015

Board Members

  • President: Lynn Fulton
  • Vice President: Thom Bree
  • Secretary: Mary Lynn Muir
  • Treasurer: Joel Campagna
  • Program Director: Len Moderman
  • Competition Chair: Thelma Kessel
  • Outings Chair: Sajib Paul
  • Workshop Chair: Wes Reimer
  • Membership: Laurie Wilkinson
2013 – 2014

Board Members

  • President: Lynn Fulton
  • Vice President: Thom Bree
  • Secretary: Mary Lynn Muir
  • Treasurer: Joel Compagna
  • Program Director: Len Moderman
  • Competition Chair: Thelma Kessel
  • Outing Chair: Mike Osborne
  • Workshop Chair: Arthika Kathalor
  • Membership Chair: Jen St. Louis
2012 – 2013

Board Members

  • President: Lynn Fulton
  • Secretary: Angela House
  • Treasurer: Kirk White
  • Program Director: Gary Stortz
  • Competition Chair: Bea Binka/Thelma Kessel
  • Outing Chair: Mike Osborne
  • Workshop Chair: Arthika Kathalor
  • Membership Chair: Jen St. Louis
  • Member at Large: Dave Vandermeulen
2011 – 2012

Board Members

  • President: Lynn Fulton
  • Secretary: Angela House
  • Treasurer: Kirk White
  • Program Director: Gary Stortz
  • Competition Chair: Carol Rawlings
  • Outings Chair: Kim Kurtz
  • Workshop Chair: Wes Reimer
  • Membership Chair: Lindsay Calcerano
2010 – 2011

Board Members

  • President: Karen VonKnobloch
  • Vice President: Charles Lehman
  • Secretary: Barb Dickie
  • Treasurer: Angela House
  • Program Director: Andrzej Godlewski
  • Competition Chair: Gail Newland
  • Outings Chair: Kevin Pepper
  • Workshop Chair: Wes Remier
  • Membership Chair: Lynn Fulton
2009 – 2010

Board Members

  • President: Karen VonKnobloch
  • Vice President: Charles Lehman
  • Secretary: Barb Dickie
  • Treasurer: Cheryl Chamberlain
  • Program Director: Andrzej Godlewski
  • Competition Chair: Carol Rawlings
  • Outings Chair: Andre Secours
  • Workshops: Joyce Brant
  • Member at Large: Scott Hunsburger
2008 – 2009

Board Members

  • President: Karen VonKnobloch
  • Vice President: Jean Weller
  • Secretary: Jeanne McElroy
  • Program Director: Joyce Brant
  • Competition Chair: Carol Rawlings
  • Outings Chair: James Woo
  • Workshops: Joyce Brant
  • Member at Large: Neil Snyder
2007 – 2008

Board Members

  • President: Karen VonKnobloch
  • Vice President: Jean Weller
  • Treasurer: Tom Jeary
  • Program Director: Joyce Brant
  • Competition Chair: Joyce Brant
  • Outings: James Woo
  • Workshops: Joyce Brant
2006 – 2007

Board Members

  • President: Wayne Waddington
  • Vice President: Ross McLennan
  • Secretary: Jeanne McElroy
  • Treasurer: Joyce Brant
  • Program Director: Brant Danard
  • Competition Chair: Joyce Brant
  • Outings: Karen VonKnobloch
  • Workshops: Joyce Brant
2005 – 2006

Board Members

  • President: Wayne Waddington
  • Vice President: Ross McLennan
  • Secretary: Jeanne McElroy
  • Treasurer: Joyce Brant
  • Program Director: Brant Danard
  • Competition Chair: Joyce Brant
  • Outing: Joyce Brant
  • Workshops: Joyce Brant

GRIPS is a member of the following organizations