The Grand Rapids Camera Club was officially organized February 20, 1899 as reported by The Grand Rapids Herald. The first meetings were held at Gillett’s photo gallery over Morse’s Department Store located on Monroe at the corner of Spring Street. The Grand Rapids Camera Club (GRCC) is one of the oldest camera clubs in the United States in continuous and uninterrupted existence.

Club members held their first exhibition June 22 & 23, 1899 at the studio of O.A. Gillett. Subsequent exhibitions were held at the Grand Rapids Art Gallery, Grand Rapids Public Museum, and the Grand Rapids Ryerson Library.

The Club continues to display member’s photographic prints at libraries, coffee shops, shopping malls, hotel lobbies and other venues in the area. GRCC photographers are recognized throughout the state and around the country for their fine art and creative photography.

The Grand Rapids Camera Club is an active member of the Southwestern Michigan Council of Camera Clubs (SWMCCC), which holds frequent Zoom webinars and occasionally in-person events. GRCC is also a member of the Photographic Society of America (PSA) which offers conferences, workshops, and local and international competitions to it members.

The Club’s continued success lies in its many unique facets. GRCC serves the needs of photographers whose interests lie in digital reproduction or in traditional photography. GRCC is the only club in our area with monthly workshops, two competitive interest divisions, prints and digital, with six categories in each division.

The Grand Rapids Camera Club has many internationally and locally recognized photographers who possess a wealth of information, and are ready and willing to aid the aspiring photographer.