The Plano Photography Club aims to promote enjoyment, mastery, and further development of photography through cooperation, effort, and good fellowship. Serving Plano and surrounding areas, we welcome photographers of all skill levels.

Review this slide presentation to learn more about the club. Then join us at our next monthly meeting and get to know the friendly folks in the Plano Photography Club.

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION | BECOME A MEMBER | RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP

Parvin Stiles

It’s a Dallas delight how crepe myrtles burst into bloom each July, like fireworks painted by nature. Their vibrant shades of pink, red, lavender, and white brighten our landscapes and remind us it's summer. What better photography subject than crepe myrtles in full bloom?

Speaking of photography, July also brings one of our most cherished holidays and photography subjects: the Fourth of July. Here in our region, the festivities stretch across several days leading up to the 4th, as fireworks light up the skies and communities come together to celebrate.

And for our club, the fun doesn’t stop there.

For those aviation enthusiasts, we have arranged to meet on Saturday, July 12th, at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field. We’ll enter at 9 AM, an hour before the public, giving us a unique opportunity to explore the exhibit with fewer crowds. Don’t miss the powerful “Aerials” exhibition curated by retired USAF Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock, who is an acclaimed combat photographer and has been recognized seven times as the best in the field. Through his exhibit, you’ll journey from the Vietnam era to modern-day aviation.

Join us on July 17th for our monthly meeting and an inspiring evening with professional photographer Kim Leeson. Kim’s work has been published in PEOPLE Magazine, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Formerly a photojournalist for the Dallas Morning News, Kim is an accomplished nature photographer. She will share her journey and insight into intimately capturing the natural world.

If you’re fascinated by the intricate beauty of succulents, on the same evening, don’t miss the training session at 6 PM in the library with our very own Irwin Lightstone. A master of Cacti and Macro photography, Irwin will offer techniques and inspiration in capturing these remarkable plants.

This month, take time to enjoy the summer, surrounded by color, community, and creativity. Whether it's enjoying and photographing crepe myrtles, fireworks with friends, or learning from talented photographers, there's so much to explore and celebrate.

We hope to see you soon, camera in hand, ready to capture the magic.

The goal of this DIY activity is to photograph fireworks and other scenes that capture the spirit of the Fourth of July.

You might be attending a major public event, such as Addison Kaboom Town 40 or Fair Park Fourth in the Cotton Bowl. Or, perhaps you’ll be checking out smaller, less crowded celebrations in the area. Of course, you might simply be celebrating at home by lighting sparklers in your front yard.

Photo by Larry Petterborg

No matter how you choose to mark the holiday, we’d love to see your photos!

Please send your best 5-7 pictures (4096 pixels on the long side; 10MB maximum) to clubphotos@planophotographyclub.com by Sunday, July 13, 2025, for inclusion in a gallery to be posted on the club website.

SEE A LIST OF DFW-AREA FOURTH OF JULY EVENTS AND FIREWORKS

Questions? Contact club Activity Chair Mary Ruehle.

Below, you will find some tips on capturing and editing fireworks photos for the best results. Good luck, and we look forward to seeing your images.

Capturing Fireworks Images

• 23 Powerful Tips for Successful Fireworks Photography (Digital Photography School)
• How to Photograph Fireworks (Video) (Fstoppers)
• How to Photograph Fireworks Displays Like Joe McNally! (Adorama)
• How To Photograph Fireworks Like A Pro (Karl Taylor)
  
• How to Take Fabulous Fireworks Photos With Your iPhone (Cult of Mac)
• How to Take Spectacular Fireworks Photos (Photofocus)
• Taking Pictures of Fireworks (Nikon)
• Ten Tips for Fireworks Photography (Nicole S. Young)

Post-Processing Fireworks Photos

• Adding Fireworks Using Photoshop (Photofocus)
  
• How to Edit Fireworks Photos Creatively (Digital Photography School)
• How to Photograph and Post-Process Fireworks (Phil Wirth)

We hope you can join us on July 12 for a morning photo shoot at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas.

The Frontiers of Flight Museum is a premier aviation and space museum located at Dallas Love Field Airport. Founded in 1988, the museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich history of aviation and space exploration, with a special emphasis on the Dallas/Fort Worth area’s pivotal role in the industry. 

The museum offers a fascinating journey through the history of flight, making it a must-visit destination for aviation enthusiasts, families, photographers, and anyone interested in science and exploration. With its impressive collection, educational programs, and vibrant community events, the museum connects visitors to the wonder of flight and the stories of those who made it possible.

Details

Location: Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field |
  6911 Lemmon Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75209 | (directions)
Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM CT (one hour before the public)

Admission: $10 for PPC members (as long as the group has 10+ people); payable at the door 
Parking: Ample free parking is available on-site

Photo Restrictions: Photos of the Frontiers of Flight Museum logo may not be posted to social media in a way that suggests any club member is an official photographer for the museum.

Group Lunch

Attendees are invited to attend a group lunch at Maple Landing (5855 Maple Avenue, Suite 100 | directions) following the event at 11:30 AM.

Questions?

Please contact club Activity Chair Mary Ruehle.

Future Photo Activities

 Club Contest Results

 Club Meeting - Thursday, July 17, 2025

Training (6:00 PM CT) - My Passions: Cacti, Succulents, and Macro (Irwin Lightstone)

Program (7:00 PM CT) - Kim Leeson: Discovering Details

Kim Leeson

Bio:  Kim Leeson has been a professional photographer for more than 25 years. Her clients have included PEOPLE magazine,  The New York Times, The Washington Post, and a wide array of industrial, educational, and corporate publications.

She worked as a photojournalist for The Dallas Morning News from 1993-2004. Her work for the newspaper earned her awards from the Texas Headliners Foundation, the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association, Texas Associated Press Managing Editors, and the Association for Women Journalists.

Many also know Kim as an accomplished nature photographer whose specialty is finding the extraordinary details of the natural world in urban environments.

She has a BA in photography from Texas A&M-Commerce (now East Texas A&M).

Program Description: Learn to see, experience, and intimately capture nature with a macro lens. You don’t have to travel far or go to exotic locations to witness nature’s incredible beauty. It’s just a few steps away at all times, and diving in with your macro lens and exploring things up close will reveal a micro-universe of grace and wonder.

 

 

            

Examples of Kim's Photography

 

 Club Contest Information - July 2025

Electronic entries must be uploaded to the PPC Competition Site before 11:59 PM CT on Thursday, July 17, 2025.

SUBMIT CONTEST IMAGE

NOTE: You must be a Plano Photography Club member to submit contest images.

The Log Cabin Motor Court

The Plano Photography Club will travel to North Carolina for a fall foliage tour this fall.

There are many details to be shared in the weeks and months ahead, but attendees must REGISTER NOW for lodging at our planned headquarters via the Reservation Process detailed below.

Trip Dates: October 20-24, 2025

Our Headquarters: The Log Cabin Motor Court (330 Weaverville Highway, Asheville, NC 28804)
Phone Number: 828-645-6546
Proprietor:  Susie

Reservation Process:  DO NOT make your reservation(s) via the lodge website. Call Susie at the Log Cabin Motor Court; leave a message, and she will get back to you.

By doing it this way, you will receive a discount not available via the website. You may wish to send her an email at logcabincourt@gmail.com.

*** Important – we need all reservations to be made no later than May 31, 2025. ***

REGISTER FOR NORTH CAROLINA FALL FOLIAGE TOUR COMMUNICATIONS

(*) - The trip formerly known as the Blue Ridge Waterfall and Foliage Tour