Our History

How It All Began

Fred Hartke enrolled in a photography class through the Plano Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) in the fall of 1983. Near the conclusion of the class he reached out to Sue Padden, the PARD activities director, about any organized activities that would further his knowledge and skills in the art.

PARD was sponsoring some clubs and in 1984 decided to organize one in Plano. Early that year they ran an advertisement in the Plano Star Courier for anyone interested in photography.

The kickoff meeting - attended by a small group - took place in Williams High School. The club was formed with Fred Hartke established as the organization's first President.

Contact was made with the Dallas Camera Club and they loaned the Plano club a small manual published by the Photographic Society of America.

Early on, the club decided to have monthly contests as a way of getting people to participate more actively. Additionally, they held the belief that hearing criticism would give feedback on ways to improve or at least to look at another point of view in the art.

Over the next several years, the club continued to grow. In August 1988, the PARD decided that it would no longer sponsor clubs.

The Plano Photography Club - which serves Plano, Dallas and the surrounding suburbs - was then launched on its own and in 1990 was incorporated in the state of Texas as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

Early Club Milestones

Club Presidents

Photographer of the Year Winners